Damien, Fr James and Bishop Les Tomlinson with statue of St Clare
For the first time in its 65-year history, the church of Box Hill North has a statue of its patroness, St Clare. The work, commissioned by the parish, was blessed by Bishop Les Tomlinson on Sunday 11 August, the feast of St Clare.
For parishioners, the unveiling of the statue was akin to a homecoming, with many gathering around the statue after Mass to take pictures and pray with their patroness.
Damien Walker, from the Studio of Saint Philomena in Christchurch, New Zealand, was asked to craft the statue and accompanied it across the Tasman, presenting it to the parishioners at the feast day Mass. Assistant priest Fr James Baptist says it was a special moment for the parish. ‘It’s exciting for the whole parish to see something which will be here for years to come, and that will remind us of the part that St Clare plays in our parish community, leading us to Our Lord
Read the full article here https://melbournecatholic.org/news/a-bridge-to-the-divine-a-new-symbol-of-faith-arrives-in-box-hill-north
Article and photos by Sam Rebbechi