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The Sacred Heart
Church Rose Window
This
window, which could be described in traditional terms as “A Rose Window”, is
located over the main entry to the Sacred Heart Church and is located so that
the western sun will be the generator of the beautiful spectrum of colours
that will be projected into the interior of the Church, and on occasions,
will colour the rear wall of the Sanctuary.
A
stained glass window of this nature is traditionally one that reflects
scriptural motifs, but its significance becomes more than this -
“Stained glass windows not only use symbolic images, they themselves
become symbols when they disperse sunlight into the colours of the
rainbow. They let us see at least a
reflection of the risen Christ whom the Gospels likened to dazzling
light.”
R.
Kuehn, Building a House of Worship.
The
design embodies elements of life in Surfers Paradise and interplays them with
scriptural motifs. Those elements of
our daily life include sun, surf, mountains, wind, sails, colourful
streetscapes, people and organic forms such as trees.
The
Church is built on the edge of a lake.
The Lake is a Place of Encounter
“As evening fell, Jesus said to his disciples,
‘Let’s cross to the other side’”. - Mark 4:35
“One day as He was preaching on the shore at the Lake, great crowds
pressed in on Him to listen to the work of God. He noticed two empty boats standing at the
water’s edge. Stepping into one of the
boats, He asked Simon, it’s owner, to push out a little into the water so
that He could sit in the boat and speak to the crowds from there.” -
Luke 5:1
The
Church overlooks the mountains of the hinterland.
The Mountains are a Place of Encounter with God
“Moses climbed the rugged mountain to meet his God,
and from somewhere in the mountain God called to him.” - Exodus 19:2
“Afterwards he went up into the hills and summoned certain ones he
chose,
inviting them to come and join him there, and they did.” - Mark 3:13
“Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him into the hills to
pray. And as He was praying, His face
began to shine and His clothes became dazzling white and blazed with
light.” - Luke 9:
28-29 (The Transfiguration).
We gather in the presence of the risen Lord, the Son of God
“The Spirit of God brooded over the dark vapours,
then God said, ‘Let there be light’”.
- Genesis 1:2-3
These
symbols are stylised in a visually rhythmic design that revolves around a
white circle with radiating beams of light.
The blue sky has a horizon of green and blue/green mountains, blending
into the variety of colours of the ocean over which are images of brightly
coloured sails. The eye moves in a counter-clockwise
direction beyond the waves, up the beach into the rich, warm colours of the
people and the streets. Interwoven
with these are the organic forms far above the streets. Superimposed over the entire 2.4 metre
diameter is the design of a cross.
This rich centrepiece is intended to be unique element to be enjoyed
by all members of all ages of all those who enter this special place.
50th Year Golden Jubilee
1946—1996
Sacred places are
not simply geographically beautiful … they are holy places and therefore, are
not commercialised. THEY ARE
SACRED. The Surfers Paradise Catholic
Parish logo brings Surfers Paradise (sun, surf, people and tourism)…..
…. The place called home for many -
….the place of rest for those
who visit -
….into a focus of being
CENTRED -
- in the gathering
of a people who have been called -
....to share a story
....to remember
… to celebrate life.
ST VINCENT’S CHURCH
(1946) - is a place held holy—it is the foundation for nourishing the
beginnings of:
St Vincent's School (1949)
Stella Maris Church (1963)
St Kevin’s School (1979)
St Michael’s College (1985)
Sacred Heart Church (1986)
Each, in its
uniqueness, is woven into the pattern of belonging…. United in the oneness of
God (Circle-Sun). The cross which in incorporated
through the logo—features six separate crosses—the three solid blue crosses
represents:
St Vincent’s Church (centre
cross): The Foundation Church
Stella Maris Church (above)
Sacred Heart Church (below)
The three smaller
crosses represents the schools -
St Vincent's sits to the right of St
Vincent’s Church
St Kevin’s to the left
St Michael’s lies at the foot of
the cross.
Each school has been
called by the Surfers Paradise Parish to lead the young to
appreciate the
sacredness and to celebrate the fullness of life. (John 10:10)
They are called
to ministry.
The boat symbolises
Christ, gathering his friends on the beach for a shared meal/experience (John 21:12-14) to celebrate life in
all its fullness.
Each member of the
Surfers Paradise Parish community, as leaders are challenged to reach out
pastorally, spiritually and physically to BREAK BREAD (the movement of the
lines) with those placed in their care, from all walks of life.
The call to follow
Jesus from the TODAY to the TOMORROW is both a gift and a
responsibility.
As a Baptised
Community we are called to carry out a mission. It is our vocation to discover and witness
the power of Christ in all areas of life.
The various levels and forms of leadership, that we are called to
within the Surfers Paradise Parish, exists for the sake of this mission.
Called to Sacredness
Called to Ministry
Called to Celebrate
Called to Tomorrow
(Judith A
Seerey - Logo Design)
Called to Sacredness
As Jesus gathered his Disciples around him on
the shores of the Sea of Galilee to instruct them to follow Him in spreading
God’s Word. So too, did our Parish of
Surfers Paradise begin by the sea.
Under the patronage of Saint Vincent and the
guidance of our first Parish Priest, Fr Neal Shannon, we began our Apostolate
of spreading the Word of God and nurturing the beliefs of our Faith.
As our local congregation grew and we
welcomed many visitors to share the Celebration of the Eucharist with us, our
need to expand became a necessity.
Thus, evolved the new St Vincent's Church (Surfers Paradise), with its
enduring blue illuminated cross with guided people out to sea, and the
beautiful Stella Maris Church (Broadbeach) originally called Sacred Heart
Church (name changed 1986/87) by the sea.
Our Apostolate was working—the Holy Spirit
was amongst us, Surfers Paradise was a living, growing Parish. We farewelled Priests and welcomed others,
and prayed that God’s Providence would strengthen us in our forward journey
of faith.
Our Parish was rich in blessings, many happy
and motivated groups working together to support the efforts of their Parish
Priest.
Gradually, as we happily welcomed, through
Baptism and population growth, more companions on our journey, the humble
beginnings of our Apostolate by the Sea expanded to meet the green of the
hinterland and a third Church, Sacred Heart was established at Surfers
Paradise—now known as Clear Island Waters which stands overlooking the lake.
Fifty years of strength, spiritual guidance,
love of our Saviour and a Parish rich in resources, fraternal love and
generosity to each other, has reached fruition.
We pray that the Spirit will guide the
Surfers Paradise Parish as together we share in leadership, in its elements
of decision-making, encouragement, support, ad initiative. To live with a strong sense of the significance
of being the Church, as a large group or as a small group. As a Parish, as part of the Archdiocese and
universal community. WE pray for an
understanding that our PARISH will be united in shaping and staffing the
future in a communion for mission towards Tomorrow.
Called to Ministry
From
our establishment as a Parish in 1946 we are indebted to the commitment of
the following Priests, religious and lay staff who have steadfastly
ministered with us through the different seasons, as we move towards The
Archdiocese: Shaping & Staffing our Future Assembly.
Clergy
Neal Shannon PP 1946-78
Peter
Luton 1975
Bill
Kenny 1978
Charlie Casey PP 1979-1983
Paul
Maloney 1979-1983
Noel
Azar 1981-1983
John
Lennon 1983-1987
John
Fitzgerald CSsR 1975-1985
Michael
McCarthy 1983-1985
Owen Oxenham PP 1983-1986
Peter
Dillon 1985
John
McKeon 1986
Bill Morris PP 1986-1993
Michael
McKeaten 1987
Archbishop
Sir Virgil Copas MSC 1988-1993
Roger
Kershaw 1990-1993
Des
Fitzgerald CSsR 1990
Stephen
Hinkler 1992-1995
James
O’Donoghue 1993
Michael McCarthy PP 1993-1996
(Dean of South Coast)
Stan
Dudek 1995
Kevin
Carey—1996-2004
Daniel Ryan PP 1996-present
Denis
Long 1999-2001
Kevin
Caldwell 2001-2002
Tony
Girvan 2001– present
Huong
Van Nguyen 2003-present
Religious Women
The assistance and dedication of
the following women has contributed to the Parish growth:
Sr
Mary Flora Heaney RSM—first principal of St Vincent’s School assisted by Sr
Assumpta Mary RSM and Sr Mary Thomas RSM followed by 22 Sisters of Mercy from
1948.
Sr
Carmel Dwan RSM 1984-88 Parish Pastoral Associate,
Sr Brigid Frawley RSM 1986
– Present Teacher & Pastoral Care St Kevin’s Primary School
& Parish Catechist,
Sr
Anne Bond RSJ 1989-1997 Parish
Pastoral Associate,
Sr
Ursula Gabbett RSM 1989- Pastoral,
Sr
Bernadette Kavanagh SMSM 1994—present Spirituality,
Sr
Noreen Dunne SMSM 1994– 1995
Spirituality.
Sr
Beverley Lewis SM 1998– 2004.
Parish
involvement of Laity 1986-1996 through
many Organisations, Activities, Groups & Ministries.
The
three Schools in the Parish are called to educate and lead our people into
Tomorrow.
Parish
Schools 1996
St
Vincent’s Primary—Principal: Mr Paul Allen—1990-1997
St
Kevin's Primary—Principal: Miss Judith Seery—1995-
Religious—Sr
Brigid Frawley RSM 1987-
St
Michael’s Secondary—Principal: Mr Bob White
Parish
Pastoral Team: 1996
Fr
Michael McCarthy—Parish Priest 1993-30th June 1996
Fr
Daniel Ryan—Parish Priest 1st July 1996
Fr
James O’Donoghue—Assistant Priest—1993
Fr
Kevin Carey—Assistant Priest—1996
Sr
Anne Bond RSJ—Parish Pastoral Associate—1989
Administration:
1996
Mr
Russell Addley—Parish Manager—1993
Mrs
Angela Harm—1983; Mrs Lyn Borin—1989; Mrs Marylou Ayres—1993;
Mrs
Beverley Kuster—State School Catechetics—1994.
Called to Celebrate
St
Vincent’s Parish Surfers Paradise was originally part of the neighbouring
Parish of Southport from 1934 and was cared for by the Vincentian
Fathers. The accommodation was a
wooden building for approximately 60 people.
Golden Jubilee Timeline: 1946-1996
1946: The
Parish of Surfers Paradise was established on 12th August with Rev Fr Neal
Shannon as the first Parish Priest—affectionately known as “Brickie” for his
catch cry “be a brick and buy a brick”.
Due to the growing numbers of parishioners and visitors, a marquee and
sometimes the local picture theatre was used to accommodate the overflow.
1948: A single storey
brick church/school building was opened on the same block as the original
Church.
1949: The St Vincent's
School opened 6th July 1949 with 30 children under the guidance of the
Sisters of Mercy. Foundation
Principal: Sr Mary Flora Heaney RSM.
1949-51: The Parish
obtained access to the entire block of land after the removal of two private
homes to other locations.
1952: New
Presbytery, facing Hamilton Avenue, blessed and opened by His Grace
Archbishop Sir James Duhig, 25th January.
1954: A second
floor added to the 1948 building. The
top storey became the school and the ground floor, used as the Church. The first Mass celebrated in the new
building was the Silver Jubilee Mass by Fr Shannon on the occasion of his
25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood...8th December, 1954.
1955: Official
opening of St Vincent’s Church/School by His Grace Archbishop Sir James
Duhig.
1960: Land
was presented for Religious purposes on the Isle of Capri. Four neighbouring sites set aside for Catholic,
Anglican & Presbyterian Churches and a Synagogue.
1963: Church
moved to Broadbeach originally named Sacred Heart now known as Stella Maris
Church.
Blessing
of the foundation stone 23rd October 1963—St Vincent’s Church.
1964: St
Vincent's Church was opened (facing Gold Coast Highway) on 19th July 1964. The Church accommodated a congregation of
approximately 750 (60 families).
1969: Land
(10 acres) purchased by Fr Keith Turnbull PP (Southport Parish) for St
Kevin’s School which was built in 1978.
1978: Fr John Neal Shannon died: 29th
November 1978, aged 73 years.
He was the Parish Priest of Surfers Paradise for 33 years.
St
Kevin’s School built by Fr Kevin Cunningham PP Southport Parish.
1979: Appointment
of Fr Charles Casey, as new Parish Priest of Surfers Paradise Parish.
St
Kevin’s School, Benowa, opened 11th March 1979.
Foundation
Principal: Mrs Elizabeth Newlands.
Appointed by Southport Parish.
Parish
Boundaries divided, St Kevin’s established as part of the Surfers Paradise
Parish.
1983: Fr
Owen Oxenham new Parish Priest (died 1991).
A man of courage and vision. He
provided the impetus to proceed with the largest undertaking by any Parish in
Australia to relocate and establish a community apart from visitors and
tourists.
Establishment
of Parish Finance Board.
Establishment
of Deanery.
1984: Sr
Carmel Dwan RSM appointed as Parish Pastoral Associate.
1985: St
Michael's College established. Foundation
Principal: Mr John Lamb.
1986: Under
the leadership of Fr Owen Oxenham Parish buildings decentralised—St Vincent's
Church established on the corner of Gold Coast Highway (renamed Remembrance
Drive 1994) and Hamilton Avenue. St
Vincent’s School (Mr Jim O’Brien, Principal).
Presbytery and Parish Offices relocated to 50 Fairway Drive, Surfers
Paradise subsequently Merrimac (now known as Clear Island Waters). Sacred Heart of Jesus—foundation stone
blessed by Most Rev Francis R Rush DD Archbishop of Brisbane, 22nd June 1986. Fr Owen Oxenham PP DCL OBE.
Appointment
of Fr William Morris, Parish Priest.
1989:
Official
Opening of Neal Shannon Park by Alderman Gary J Baildon, Gold Coast Highway
(North & Beach Road), 14th October, 1989.
1991: Ordination:
Anthony Randazzo, 29th November 1991—St Stephens Cathedral, Brisbane.
1992: Establishment of
Parish Pastoral Council.
1993: Fr
William Morris—ordained Bishop of Toowoomba—10th February.
Appointment
of Fr Michael McCarthy, Parish Priest—January
(Dean of South Coast).
Appointment
of Mr Russell Addley. Parish Manager—14th
September 1993.
1994: Deanery
Multicultural Group formed.
Ordination:
James O’Brien, 17th November 1994
—St Stephens Cathedral, Brisbane.
1995: Parish
Meeting Room established. Situated
between the Sacred Heart Church and the Presbytery and Parish Offices—Clear Island
Waters.
1996: St
Kevin’s Pre School established at Benowa.
Opened & Blessed by
Fr Fran Burman OSA Vicar for Education, 13th August 1996.
Appointment
of Daniel Ryan, Parish Priest—1st July 1996.
The
Surfers Paradise Parish Golden Jubilee.
12th August 1946-1996 celebrated in three places of Worship:
St Vincent’s, Stella Maris and Sacred Heart Churches—10th-11th August 1996.
Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church
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This Church, situated at 268 Hedges Avenue on land purchased in 1961
by the trustees of the Roman Catholic Church, Brisbane Diocese, was
relocated to this site in 1963.
The original, building on its site at Surfers Paradise 1960
The building itself was originally built in 1934
on land in Surfers Paradise, donated by Archbishop Duhig of Queensland, and
had accommodated 60 people.
The church was originally a part of the Southport
Parish and was administered by the Vincentian Fathers.
In 1946 the Surfers Paradise Parish was
established. The late Father Neal Shannon was the first Parish Priest.
A new school, Church and Presbytery were erected
on the Surfers Paradise site (now the Watermark Hotel), and in 1963 the
original church building was moved to its present Broadbeach site.
This Broadbeach Church was originally called the Sacred
Heart Church, but in 1986 it was renamed Stella Maris. The name 'Sacred
Heart' was allocated to a new Surfers Paradise Parish Church at Clear
Island Waters.
Since 1963 Stella Maris Church has had two
additions to the building to accommodate growing numbers of tourists and
additional permanent residents.
During 1985-86, it was reported that the Parish
Priest of Surfers Paradise, Father Owen Oxenham, was offered a large amount
of money to have the Hedges Avenue Site redeveloped, but chose to retain
the Church, the Church House and grounds for the use of visitors and the
local community.
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Stella
Maris Roman Catholic Church at Broadbeach 1997
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Church services are presently held daily at 8.30 am.
This little
church in its unique position so close to the ocean, with a name meaning
"Star of the Sea", has a deep spiritual significance for hundreds
of people visiting from all parts of Australia and overseas, who often
return to worship in it.
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