Blessing at the centre of it all

Sydney
27 July 2003

Centre of it all ...

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Honours to chapel couple

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Four-day visit to Slovakia

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Finnish choir at St Francis

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World Youth Day on web

Blessing at the centre of it all

Blessing at the centre of it all

The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr George Pell, blessed each office in the Polding Centre

By Marilyn Rodrigues

“Clearly now we realise it’s not necessary to go into a monastery, it’s not necessary to become a priest or a religious to contribute mightily to the work of the Church in building up the kingdom.

“Christ’s 30 years of hidden life are important, not just a preparation for his public life but in themselves, just as the work everybody here does is important in itself for the kingdom.”

So said Archbishop of Sydney, Dr George Pell, at the simple paraliturgy to officially open and bless the new Polding Centre, the administration office for the Sydney archdiocese which is mostly staffed by lay Catholics.

The new centre, at 133 Liverpool St, Sydney, houses the archdiocesan chancery and 18 different Catholic Church agencies.

“I think it’s something of a recent insight in Catholic circles to realise how much our daily work contributes to God’s work,” Dr Pell said.

He reminded staff of the various agencies that their work makes possible the important work of Catholic worship, teaching and service.

He also acknowledged the people whose work has contributed to the Church in Sydney over the past 200 years.

“It’s because of the labours of those who have gone before us that we have the wherewithal to move into a place like this today,” he said.

“Eventually, we will have photos up that will exemplify the many different aspects of Catholic life, so that the visitors who come here will be reminded of what we are all about,” he said.

“And I hope slowly over the years we will be able to bring in beautiful memorabilia, pictures and artefacts touching on different areas of Church life for display.”

The archbishop concluded the ceremony by unveiling a plaque for the building’s reception area bearing the words “To the Glory of God”.

He then moved to each floor to bless each office and workstation.

The Chapel of Our Lady, on Level 5, is open each day for silent prayer. Mass is at 8.30am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 12.35pm on Thursday and Friday.