An innovative development project in the Diocese of Broken Bay which includes a new primary school, parish centre, aged care and retirement living was officially opened and blessed by Bishop Anthony Randazzo this week.
Part of the Parish of Epping & Carlingford, the site is home to the heritage-listed Our Lady Help of Christians church and primary school.
The Diocese, developers, architects, builders, the parish and school community have been collaborating for many years to create the multigenerational community.
Challenges included preserving the historic church while adding a new parish centre and building a state-of-the-art Catholic Primary School while incorporating on the site a retirement living tower complex and residential aged care..
However close collaboration and creative design resulted in Bishop Anthony “turning the first sod” nearly three years ago to begin the development project, working with development partner Levande, aged care operator Opal Health Care, and Richard Crookes Constructions.
Parishioners as well as students, teachers and parents were patient and understanding as the redevelopment project got underway.
This week Bishop Anthony returned to the site to officially open and bless the new parish complex and school as well as a Catholic Care Out of School Hours Care centre.
The church is now linked to a new 200-seat Parish hall with offices as well as much-needed basement parking.
The new three-story Primary School, plus roof-top garden, marks a significant milestone in the history of Epping’s Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary School.
Director of Catholic Schools Broken Bay, Danny Casey, said at the opening;” This new school and its creative design aligns perfectly with our ethos of creating an inspiring learning environment that nurtures faith, creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning.
“The project represents a substantial investment in the future of our children, and I am grateful to Bishop Anthony, the Parish Priest, Fr Jim McKeon, our entire school community and our construction partners for making this possible.”
Bishop Anthony said he believes the unique development collaboration will create pathways for the Parish’s long-term future and mission.
During the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Opening and Blessing of OLHC Catholic Primary School, Bishop Anthony said; “As we celebrate today, we acknowledge the hands and hearts that have built this school, from the architects and designers to the educators and leaders.
“But we also look forward, to the children who will walk through these corridors, to the prayers whispered in classrooms, to the friendships formed, and the faith nurtured.”