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About the Capuchins
 The Capuchins in Australia now
Today, the Capuchins can be found living in fraternities in most of the
capital cities of Australia.
Recognition of their maturity as a separate entity
with
the worldwide Capuchin family was acknowledged officially on 17th September
1981. It was on that day that Fr John Corriveau, in the presence of Fr
Paschal Rywalski, Minister General of the entire Order, read the decree
establishing the Province of Australia under the patronage of Our
Lady of the Assumption.
From that date it became an accepted fact that growth in membership had
to be promoted and cultivated here. Also implied was self autonomy and
local responsibility
for future directions, goals and forms of apostolate.
Quite a number of the founding friars have either died or returned to their
home provinces. Progressively, the number of Australian-born and home-trained
Capuchins is increasing.
Official proclamation of Capuchin Province of
Australia at the Church of St. Fiacre, Leichhardt, NSW 17th Sept. 1981
As matters stand at present,
the friars of this province are placed and minister from the following
locations:
- NEWTON, S.A.: a vibrant, active and involved multicultural community,
consisting mainly of Italians and their descendants. The parish has
its main activities
at Newton where there's a large church and well organised parish school.
- HAWTHORN, VIC.: the base of operation here is a church-shrine to
St. Anthony of Padua where a variety of service is offered to the visitors
and pilgrims.
The friars are available for the Sacrament of Penance, Mass,
devotional
practises, counselling, baptisms, marriages etc. without any
parish obligations. Here
too, there are vast opportunities open for the future.
- LEICHHARDT, N.S.W.: the residence of the Provincial Minister with
his offices, the friary which accommodates migrant chaplains
and parish
staff and other
friars engaged in special ministries, a presbytery used for
parish offices, parish primary
school - all are found here and engage the friars in many works
and ministries.
- PLUMPTON, N.S.W.: a property in the outer western area of Sydney.
The ‘seminary’ as
it is still referred to has become a Retreat and Conference Centre - a centre
of spirituality and adult education. A parish church with hall and primary
school providing for an ever expanding multicultural community is placed
in another section of the same property.
- WYNNUM, QLD.: Our
friars live at Our Lady of the Angels Friary from where a variety of ministries
are conducted. They work with various ethnic group and special needs groups.
The parish church and
primary school, providing the normal services of a well established and also
new and developing community. Besides the parish church, there are three other
Mass centres: one based at Iona College and served by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate,
the other two served by Capuchins.
Assumption Friary and Conference Centre - Plumpton NSW
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