Broken Bay Diocese has celebrated its second installation of a first-class relic in as many weeks, this time in Carlingford. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
On October 16, St Gerard Majella Catholic Church, part of the Catholic Parishes of Epping and Carlingford, welcomed a relic of its patron saint on his solemnity to a new permanent home.
Parishioners Milton and Maureen Berkley, members of the parish for over 50 years, last month discovered St Gerard’s relic complete with documentation when cleaning out their family home after their 99-year-old mother moved into an aged-care home.
The relic was reportedly arranged by their aunt, Sr Bridget Carr, a superior general of the Union of Sisters of Mercy in Australia from 1972-1978, during which time she visited the Vatican.
The Berkleys’ aunt presented their father with the relic as a source of spiritual accompaniment after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1993.
“We feel he would have taken strength in knowing that this incredibly special object was in a drawer close to where he slept,” Maureen Berkley wrote in a letter to assistant parish priest Fr Aldrin Valdehueza.
“We feel this journey has been so special, especially for me being in St Gerard Parish all these years and not realising something so blessed and precious was so close to me the whole time.
“The family, especially my elderly mother, feel incredibly blessed with the very special installation.”
The Berkleys processed the relic into the installation Mass celebrated by Broken Bay Vicar General Fr David Ranson, together with parish priest Fr Jim McKeon and Fr Aldrin.
Just the previous Friday, Our Lady of Dolours in Chatswood installed a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis in their newly renovated Eucharistic adoration chapel.
Fr Aldrin said the event was “quite timely” at a moment when the parish is trying to revive family ministry, while St Gerard is the patron saint of expectant mothers.
“Our intention is to really support young families in our parish in regard to faith formation and this is a big moment for that.”
FULL STORY
New Carlingford home for St Gerard (By George Al-Akiki, The Catholic Weekly)
