Historic reunion in Candelo as St Joseph’s Church celebrates 150th Anniversary

On January 31, 1875, St Joseph’s Church in Candelo – the oldest church in the Bega Parish – was officially opened by Archbishop Roger Bede Vaughan.

150 years later, the parish community welcomed current Archbishop Christopher Prowse to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

“It really stood out to us, to have him there, making the effort to come to a small community like ours,” parishioner John Coman said.

“It was very good. We had around 170 people for the mass. The church holds 140 and there were some people outside. When we got the word out about the anniversary, lots of people who went to school here in the 50s and 60s all came together. I saw people I went to school with who I haven’t seen since then. There was lots of happiness.”

Parishioner and Lumen Christi Catholic College Assistant Principal Antoinette Woods said the celebration was like a big family reunion – full of joy.

“People travelled from the neighbouring churches within the Bega and Pambula parishes, and many came from far away, like Candelo’s very own Sr Rosemary Hart, who returned home from Sydney for the event,” she said.

“The Archbishop’s homily on gratitude and trusting in God epitomised the spirit of all those, past and present, who have been blessed to be a part of this community.”

Sr Rosemary said it was wonderful to return to the parish where she was born.

“To celebrate with the community – I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” she said.

“It was wonderful to be back with everyone, 59 years since I left to enter the convent.”

Antoinette said in reflecting on 150 years of the Catholic Church in Candelo, the community recognised those who kept the faith alive through their families, communal worship and active faith in the community; during natural disasters, wars, pandemics as well as baptisms, marriages and sacramental life.

“We reflected on our role in the present: to continue to serve others and live the Gospel through the ups and downs of modern life,” she said.

“Candelo Church community is special because of the generosity and good humour in which parishioners share their gifts with each other and the broader parish.”

John agreed, noting the friendship between parishioners made all the difference.

“We look out for each other – as an ageing parish, we make sure the elderly can get to Church, especially in winter when it is harder to drive,” he said.

“As country folk, we asked everyone to bring a plate to share on Sunday. Well, it turned into a loaves and fishes scenario in the end. We were begging people to take food home with them. It is a Christian community, and on Sunday, it was even wider than that. Many locals who had ancestors in the area also came up to the school. It was interdenominational.”

John said one of the parishioners had arrived at the celebration with a book from the mid-60s.

“He said to have a look, and I nearly fell over,” he exclaimed.

“It was the original ledger of all the people who donated money to build the first church, including Fr Slattery for five guineas. The names in the book are many of the ancestors of those who are still in our parish today.”

Parishioner Roger Heffernan said it was wonderful that the faith community had endured for so long.

“We have continued to grow – we grow old, but we grow together,” he said.

“It keeps us all here in faith and baptism.”