Quilted testimony to a century of worship

Sydney
24 March 2002

‘Little Flower’ is almost here

Vinnies: Scrap penalties!

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Fr Denis Madigan dies

Quilted testimony to a century of worship

Ecumenical Way of the Cross

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Carnivale Christi – festival returns

Marathon man

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Art, dance, design, drama – HSC talent on display

Inspirations: Close encounter of a preferred kind

Quilted testimony to a century of worship

Parishioners at the Sacred Heart Church Blackheath have designed and stitched a spectacular quilted banner (pictured) that commemorates the parish’s 100-year history.

Its design is based on the parish’s mission statement: “As a community bonded together through faith, we are called to share our experience of God with those we meet each day, in particular, our local community.”

At its centre, people gather at the table of the Eucharist, which stands within a circle, representing God who has no beginning and no end.

A cross represents Jesus Christ. At the top of the cross is the sun, the ongoing source of energy for God’s creation.

At the bottom, red flames symbolise the power of the Holy Spirit to bring light, life and love.

The stars of the Southern Cross symbolise Australia; the brilliant blue background, the Blue Mountains.

The three churches of the parish – Sacred Heart Blackheath, St Paul’s, Mt Victoria, and St Joseph’s, Megalong Valley – are included, as are the peg factory and railway that helped bring economic growth into Blackheath.

Daffodils, rhododendrons, butterflies and a waterfall call to mind the unique climate and natural beauty of the Blue Mountains.

The banner, designed by parishioner Mrs Pat Leeder and stitched by 28 parishioners, was presented at a thanksgiving centenary mass at Sacred Heart, where it now has pride of place above the altar.

The Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Kevin Manning, celebrated the Mass with the assistance of former parish priests Fr Frank Vaughan and Fr Kevin Hay, plus Fr Robert Anderson and Fr Jim Dooley of the Katoomba parish.

Parish musicians and singers led a hymn composed by Fr Kevin Bates especially for the occasion. And two parishioners, Jenny and Stephen McIntosh, donated a stained glass window they had created.

The church at Blackheath was built in 1901 by the parish priest at Katoomba, Fr St Clair Bridge, and consecrated on January 26, 1902, by Cardinal Patrick Moran.

Today the parish is under the pastoral direction of Sr Mary Maguire, a Sister of Charity.