Despite the predicted rain, it was sunny and breezy in the marquee at Mums’ Cottage Holmesville on Saturday 28th February as the crowd gathered for the opening of the newly renovated Coffee and Training Centre.
Friends from the Uniting, Catholic, Anglican and Baptist churches, local civic dignitaries, Rotary Club members, representatives of the builders and tradesmen were present. So, too were a number of Sisters of St Joseph. A large group of volunteers, who are the backbone of Mums’ Cottage, made all welcome.
After the Acknowledgement of Country by Aunty Di Langham, Sister Patricia McCarthy, Congregational Leader, led all in prayer.
Dan Repacholi, the Member for Hunter who was responsible for obtaining the Government grant, noted the value of small communities that do so much with so little.
Established by Sr Helen Anne Johnson and volunteers in 2012, “Mums’ Cottage has long been a safe and welcoming place for people who need support, connection and companionship, and these upgrades will ensure they can continue providing that support for years to come,” Mr Repacholi said.
The Training Centre in the newly renovated building was named in honour of Helene Hemphill, first Chair of the Mums’ Cottage Board..
Jennifer Barnes, Chairperson of the local Presbytery of the Uniting Church, spoke of the joy of her community in their involvement in the history and ministry of Mums’ Cottage and the ongoing support they give to the services it provides.
Sister Lauretta Baker spoke of the faith Sister Helen-Anne always had that this outreach to families is God’s work not hers and so with his grace it would prosper. Despite many disappointments in the early days, Helen -Anne went on with a loving and trusting heart.
Bishop Michael Kennedy who blessed the renovated building highlighted the fact that the key to success at Mums’ Cottage is its spirit of welcome, something that he too had experienced.
In everyone who spoke throughout the service, there was the same spirit of wonder that this facility should become so grand after so small a beginning. The members of Mums’ Cottage Board, the Sisters of St Joseph, the children who danced and all present rejoiced as the new rooms were blessed, the ribbon was cut, the plaque was unveiled and the bell was rung.
At the end of the ceremony, Sr Helen-Anne repeated the words of Pastor Loyal Wirt, recorded at the opening of the building as a church in 1903: This church is a foundation for good, a home for the homeless, a place of cheer for the cheerless, to give love to the loveless…a place to bring Christ to all. She concluded with the words of St Mary MacKillop: We have much for which to be grateful.
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