The Philippine Community's Dedication of a Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Santo Nino

The Philippine Community's Dedication of a Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Santo Nino

(Compiled by Rene dela Pena)

A Filipino couple, Fred and Nenette Lucena's devotion to Our Lady of Ta Pinu sparked the flame that inspired the construction of the Filipino Community of Melbourne's Mother and Child Shrine at the Ta Pinu Marian Centre in Bacchus Marsh.

Late in December 2005, Charlie Borg, Fred and Nenette were approached to consider if the Filipino Community would be interested in building a Filipino shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre.

The offer was then presented to the Filipino Chaplain, Fr Rolyn Vics, who was quite appreciative and supportive, as he envisaged that through the Shrine, his dream of a "Filipino Church" in Melbourne would be realised.

The Filipino Pastoral Council of Melbourne likewise unanimously accepted the invitation and agreed to build a Shrine for the Santo Nino and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This will be a symbol of our Catholic faith, Filipino tradition and heritage.

A Shrine committee was appointed to oversee the construction of the Shrine and the Pastoral Council undertook the fund raising campaign.

Don Calfoforo designed and prepared the Shrine plans. In late March 2006, the foundation slab was poured. By April 2006, the design was approved by the Pastoral Council and Ta Pinu Marian Centre.

In August 2006, Michael Hanger, a builder, was engaged to organise the construction of the Shrine.

The Filipino Pastoral Council initiated its fund raising campaign with Fr Rolyn Vics sending out letters to the Filipino Community, asking them to be part of history by being a benefactor of the "Mother and Child" Shrine.

By September 2006, the walls were up and the roof was starting to take shape in its unique "bahay kubo" style.

By October 2006, the sandstone altar was installed and the building reached lock-up stage.

A date of the blessing was set for Saturday 9 December 2006 and preparations for the Blessing were underway. Invitations were sent out via letters, the Pinoy radio, TFC and the Philippine Times.

The names of the benefactors of the Shrine were listed and placed in a time capsule, to be installed behind the altar. Also included in the time capsule were the original design and plan as well as photos of the different construction stages of the Shrine.

The day of the Blessing was extremely hot (38 degrees), however many people still came, estimated at approximately 800.

The Mass' main celebrant was Fr Rolyn Vics. He was assisted by Filipino priests from Melbourne and Sydney, which included Fr Boy Galdo, Fr Laurence Cortez, Fr Casey Ureta and Fr Chrismar Daguno.

The Honorary Counsel Raul Hernandez read the messages from Archbishop Denis Hart, Bishop Hilton Deakin and Bishop Christopher Prows, congratulating the Filipino Community on this historic occasion.

After the Mass, the procession of the Mother and Child, accompanied by the different national flags and group banners, made its way to the Shrine. It was led by the OATH seminarians and followed by the priests and the congregation.

Fr Rolyn Vics blessed the Shrine, Fr Boy Galdo blessed and enthroned the Santo Nino and Fr Laurnece Cortez blessed and enthroned the Icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help.

Fr Rolyn Vics and Pina Joson, on behalf of the Filipino Pastoral Council of Melbourne, thanked all who assisted in making the Shrine a reality and those who came on the day.

The Honorary Consul Raul Hernandez and Fr Rolyn Vics both unveiled the bronze plaque commemorating the historic event.

There were tears of joy in the eyes of those gathered at the Shrine, as indeed a dream had became reality and prayers were answered.

Finally, and most importantly, the Filipino community, united as one, pooled its resources together in achieving something as historic as the construction of the Shrine of Our Mother and Child at Ta Pinu Marian Centre.

"Viva El Señor Sto Niño"

This page was last updated in January 2008