Bishop McKenna was delighted to be in Coonamble last month as the Parish community gathered to celebrate several important events.

On 16th June Mass started the day, with the Bishop blessing and reopening the recently refurbished Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Parish Priest, Fr Francis Muhenda, and Assistant Priest, Fr Thao Van Nguyen concelebrated with the Bishop. The 84 year old church required major renovations following storm damage in 2021 and was closed in March this year to allow for repairs and refurbishment.

This Mass was also the start of St Brigid’s Primary School’s celebrations for Grandparents and Older Friends Day. Afterwards Bishop McKenna blessed the new classrooms at the School and there was a chance for people to visit them. This was followed by a lovely morning tea.

This year saw the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the Brigidine Sisters, who came to Coonamble in June 1883 from Ireland to provide a Catholic education for the children of the district and establish their Order. St Brigid’s was the first Brigidine school established in Australia.

The joy spread over into the weekend, with Bishop McKenna conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on children from the School.