Where is the Spirit Leading the Bunbury Diocese?
Pastoral Letter to the People and Decision Makers in the Diocese of Bunbury
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Pastoral Letter to the People and Decision Makers in the Diocese of Bunbury
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
One of the most moving elements in the celebration of Easter is the sight of our priests renewing their priestly commitment during the Mass of the Oils. Easter reminds us that Jesus instituted the priesthood at the Last Supper. It reminds us too that priests are called to be instruments of the Risen Christ for his people.
DownloadOn 16 May 2005, a tornado tore through Bunbury, devastating the city and shifting the Cathedral on its foundations resulting in its demolition.
This DVD was commissioned by Catholic Church Insurances as a tribute to all those who helped build the Cathedral, to those who worshipped in it since 1921 and to all those who will ensure that its significance lives on in the community.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=1Aq0Nj8VyU0%3Frel%3D0
“The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the damage inflicted upon the Cathedral in Bunbury by the recent tornado and he wishes to express his spiritual closeness to all who grieve over the loss of this sacred building. He prays that the faithful of the Diocese will look to the future with confidence as they begin construction of their new Cathedral, a sign of their hope and trust in the Lord. Commending all the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese to the protection of Our Lady, Help of Christians, His Holiness cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing.”
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State-Vatican City, Rome
“The destruction of St Patrick’s Cathedral was a great loss not just to the parish but also to the wider community of Bunbury”
John Howard, Prime Minister
“St Patrick’s Cathedral was undoubtedly one of the most important buildings in Bunbury. As well as providing a focal point for the Catholic community, it was a true icon sitting prominently on the Bunbury skyline. The loss of St Patrick’s has been a blow for the entire Bunbury community”
Alan Carpenter MLA, Premier of Western Australia
People need a place to be at home. The church must be a home for the majesty of God. Not the down to earthiness of God, but the majesty of God.
Catholic Dossier
“The Bishop is to be considered the high priest of his flock…therefore all should hold in very high esteem the liturgical life of the diocese which centres around the bishop, especially in his Cathedral Church…”
Documents of Vatican II
“As a community we must ensure our history is safeguarded, so that our children and grandchildren understand that in our past we have found the foundation for our future”
According to the very earliest surviving work on architecture, Vitruvius’ De architectura, good buildings satisfy three core principles: Firmness, Commodity, and Delight. Architecture can be seen as the balancing of these three elements, with none overpowering the others.
elevation of cathedral. According to the very earliest surviving work on architecture, Vitruvius’ De architectura, good buildings satisfy three core principles: Firmness, Commodity, and Delight. Architecture can be seen as the balancing of these three elements, with none overpowering the others.
Whilst coordinating these essential elements, Cathedral architects of every age have endeavoured to interpret and to express the presence and importance of God. Through the ages, Cathedrals have been in the vanguard of new architecture styles, using the most advanced materials and the most innovative construction methods available.
The rebuilding of the Cathedral precinct will extend this tradition, while utilising many familiar references from Catholic art and architecture from the earliest times.
To achieve this, and meet the expressed wishes of the community, the rebuilding of the Cathedral precinct required an architect with a proven and outstanding track record, but with more than just simply technical skills. According to Vitruvius: “Architecture is a science, arising out of many other sciences, and adorned with much and varied learning: by the help of which a judgement is formed of those works which are the result of other arts.” Simply put, our architect needs a philosophy, a perspective and an appreciation, for life, the universe and everything.
Our requirements were specific and exacting. The successful architect would need:
Extensive experience with buildings of this scale;
To be recognised for work across Australia and overseas;
To have earned multiple awards for his work, and earned the respect and recognition of his peers;
To have a proven record of keeping within budget;
To have a reputation for being easy to work with, and concerned with meeting clients’ requirements; and
To have the desire to personally design and supervise the rebuilding from beginning to end.
Most significantly, in light of the findings of our community consultation programs, the architect would need demonstrated expertise in the area of traditional church buildings, together with proven mastery of modern techniques.
As the selection criteria became more defined through ongoing community consultations, as well as expert advice from those with experience in cathedral building, it became clear that an ‘iconic’ architect was needed. The architect would need not only to be creative, highly skilled and well accomplished, but also someone who would consider it an honour to join the select and highly credited few in the world who have designed a cathedral. We were looking for someone who would understand and appreciate the significance of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
After a long and meticulous search, the award winning architect Marcus Collins B Arch (UWA), FRAIA was commissioned to plan and design the new Cathedral precinct, including the building of a new cathedral. He has widely recognised skills and an impressive list of major works to his credit.
Marcus is an iconic architect with both national and international experience. He is well regarded by his peers and previous clients.
His brief, developed from the community consultation, includes designing a Cathedral that;
Will last at least 300 years;
Is built on the same prominent location as the old St Patrick’s Cathedral;
Is an iconic building with the lines of a traditional Cathedral, yet has a modern interior;
Includes a parish centre, youth centre, heritage centre and meeting rooms;
Has appropriate parking;
Will draw people to a sense of community;
Will be a tourist attraction.
“Build us a new one, Bunbury says”
The Record, Thursday July 14, 2005.
A project of this size and complexity requires the engagement of a highly experienced team of professional consultants and engineers who are experts in their field.
Following independent research and a thorough tender process, a team of consultants and engineers with extensive experience on large projects of this type has been brought together to with Marcus Collins Architect on rebuilding the Cathedral Precinct.
We wish to acknowledge our project team:
Architect: Marcus Collins Architect
Marcus Collins Architect is an iconic multi award winning architect with demonstrated expertise in the area of traditional church buildings, and mastery of modern techniques. He is best known for his work in designing the University of Notre Dame University campus in Fremantle and Sydney.
Structural Engineers: GHD Pty Ltd
GHD is an international engineering firm consulting across a wide range of engineering disciplines. Past projects include the Perth to Mandurah railway line, Sydney Opera House and responding to the Asian Tsunami.
Quantity Surveyors: Wilde & Woollard Pty Ltd
Wilde and Woollard is one of the most respected Western Australian Quantity Surveying firms. Past projects include St Benedict’s Church Applecross, and is also the Quantity Surveyors for St Mary’s Cathedral Perth
Electrical Engineers: Engineering Technology Consultants (ETC) Pty Ltd
ETC is a leader in the area of electrical engineering, lighting design, electrical services infrastructure and electronic security design. Past projects include Perth Convention Centre, St Georges Cathedral Perth, St John of God Hospital Bunbury and Notre Dame University Fremantle. ETC is also the Electrical Engineers for the restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral Perth
Geotechnical Engineers: Golder Associates Pty Ltd
Golder Associates is a global engineering firms specialising in ground engineering services. It has over 130 offices in 22 countries throughout the world.
Hydraulic Engineers: Hydraulics Design Australia
Hydraulics Design Australia is a leader in hydraulic service design and infrastructure planning. Past projects include the Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre, Old Swan Brewery Perth and Voyager Estate Winery Margaret River.
Mechanical Engineers: Lincolne Scott Consulting Engineers
Lincolne Scott is one of Australia’s leading engineering consultancy in the design and operation of building technology. Its projects include St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, Institute of Child Research Perth, Docklands Stadium Melbourne and the Ritz Carlton Hotel Bangkok
Acoustic Engineers: Gabriels Environmental Design Pty Ltd
Gabriels Environmental Design are one of the most respected acoustic consultancies having been involved with the designed some of Western Australia’s major churches and auditoriums, including acoustics consultants for the restoration of St Mary Cathedral Perth.
Consulting Surveyor: BSO Development Consultants
BSO Development Consultants is a leader in the Land Development Industry within the SOUTH WEST providing Land Surveying and Project Management advice. Projects include Cambridge Estate, Ambergate Heights and Brookfield Estate.
Consulting Town Planners: Thompson McRobert Edgeloe (TME)
TME is a local land planning, development and engineering consultancy. Projects include Dalyellup Beach, College Grove and the Bunbury Port.
Construction Manager: Perkins Builders
Perkins Builders is one of the largest construction companies based in the South West of Western Australia. Locally owned and operated the company has built a reputation for being at the forefront of construction project delivery. Projects include the South West Sport Centre, Manea College, Dalyellup College and Smiths Beach Resort.
Warmest greeting to all readers! May the peace Christ come to bring lead to greater closeness in families, healing where there are conflicts and forgiveness of hurts.
St Thomas Aquinas once wrote:
‘The only-begotten Son of God… assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods’
As an edifice of transcendent beauty, built to stand for 300 years, the Cathedral fulfils a diversity of needs for our Diocese, for Bunbury and the surrounding region.
Further the places and requisites for worship should be truly worthy and beautiful, signs and symbols of heavenly realities.
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, #253
It is the mother church and spiritual home of all the members of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Bunbury, which inspires our diverse community across the south west of Australia. The ministries at the Cathedral precinct will foster unity through worship, teaching and evangelisation, and works of service – especially to the poor and those at the margins of society. The Cathedral functions as a “palace of the poor,” serving those in need by appealing to volunteers and donors who support cultural and community projects from a platform that will exist for centuries.
Now we must look ahead, we must “put out into the deep”, trusting in Christ’s words: Duc in altum! What we have done this year should inspire in us new energy, and impel us to invest in concrete initiatives the enthusiasm which we have felt.
—#15 Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio John Paul II
It is the new home of the Bunbury parish community replacing the loss of St. Patrick’s to the Tornado of 16th May 2005. The Cathedral cements the bonds that make up our one faith-community from the Diocese’s 27 separate parishes and thousands of worshippers – from Mandurah to Albany, and from Margaret River to Esperance. The Cathedral will continue many of the ministries of its predecessor, adding to them as strategic planning continues. The parish and its clergy minister to the spiritual needs of the many people who life and work in the Bunbury region. (e.g., daily Mass, frequent opportunities for Confession, pastoral counselling, adult faith formation opportunities).
In this ‘house of God’ the truth and the harmony of the signs that make it up should allow Christ to be present and active in this place.
—The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1181
…Christians construct buildings for divine worship. These visible churches are not simply gathering places but signify and make visible the Church living in this place, the dwelling of God with men reconciled and united in Christ.
—The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1181
The other buildings on the Cathedral precinct reinforce its mission as a community centre and extend its effectiveness. The Cathedral precinct includes a large parish hall, a heritage centre, crypt, parish offices, presbytery, meeting rooms, visiting priests accommodation and diocesan offices — the support services for all our parishes, schools and communities throughout the Diocese. The parish hall is an ideal venue for diocesan group gatherings, major adult education events, workshops and lectures. It will serve the greater Bunbury community as well. The Cathedral precinct is open to anyone who wishes to socialise on the lawns, look out over Bunbury and Koombana Bay, walk through the gardens, attend social and religious events, or take time for personal reflection and prayer.
Sacred images in our churches and homes are intended to awaken and nourish our faith in the mystery of Christ.
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1192
The Cathedral is the ideal gathering place for major events in the Diocese. The schedule of events certainly will include ordinations to the priesthood and the diaconate, adult Confirmations, welcoming of new Catholics from across the Diocese (“Rite of Election”), the Mass for the Blessing of the Holy Oils (“Chrism Mass”), celebrations of Catholic organisations and associations and gatherings from our many Catholic schools.
The visible church is a symbol of the Father’s house toward which the People of God is journeying and where the Father ‘will wipe every tear from their eyes.’ Also for this reason, the Church is the house of all God’s children, open and welcoming.
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1186
Today, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. In today’s Gospel, we remember the words of Jesus [John 10:11-12]: