Parish life

New remembrance garden in honour of Australian service men and women

November 9, 2021

A new Remembrance Garden at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong (36
Harbour St) has been created in honour of all those who have given so selflessly in the
service of our country: those who died in wars, members of our armed services,
ambulance officers, police officers, and all front line workers.

Rev Bernard Gordon, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, will open
and bless the Remembrance Garden at 9:30am on 11 November 2021. Guests
attending include Hon. Sharon Bird – Federal Member for Cunningham; Inspector
Chad Wallace – NSW Fire – South; Mr Ken Milner – Wollongong RSL; Mr Stuart Mackie
Warrant – Training Warrant Officer, Bravo Company Defence and members of the
Lumen Christi parish community.

Rev Gordon said the garden will serve as a lasting memorial for parishioners and
visitors to reflect on the generosity of those who serve our community, often in
circumstances that require great courage.

“It is with great pride that I open and bless this sacred place,” he said. “Our hope is
that it will provide all those who wish to come and spend some quiet time the
opportunity to peacefully remember and reflect on those who have nobly served this
beautiful country of ours.”

The new garden recognises those who have served our country in the armed services,
and pays tribute to the ongoing efforts of our frontline workers.
“We also want to remember those who are grieving and suffer the consequences of
losing their loved ones through violence and encountering dangerous situations,”
said Rev Gordon. “Nothing will make losing someone dear to us any easier. But it is
very important for us to express our sympathy for those who are bereaved and to
know they are welcome and not left alone. We are here for you.”

The Remembrance Garden has been constructed In partnership with Mr Thomas
Wildner & Mrs Amy Wildner, Directors from the Wildmann Group, and with the
financial support of the Lumen Christi parishioners.

This beautiful memorial is an expression of the Catholic Church’s mission to reflect
God’s loving care for everyone. Part of this service is to ensure people in the Lumen
Christi parish and the wider community can access beautiful, open spaces and
experience some moments of peace and quiet reflection.

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