Building receives official blessing
November 20, 2008
Auxiliary Bishop for Brisbane the most reverend Brian V. Finnigan D.D. visited Nudgee College last week to officially open and bless the renovated Br J.K. O'Neill building.
The newly refurbished building will be used as Nudgee's new Years 5-7 facility
Although students and staff have been in the building since August, Director of Campus Ministry Matt Kearney said the blessing was important as it was asking God to give the people and the building itself a good start.
"By blessing the building, we are asking God to be involved with the endeavours that go on there," he said.
"We are also dedicating the building for a particular purpose, education, which is very important to the Catholic community and the human community generally."
The building was named after Br James Kevin O'Neill, who was the Headmaster at Nudgee College from 1934 - 1939, and originally opened as a boarding house on March 20, 1995.
Renovations began during the later part of 2007 and continued during 2008 with the Year 5-7 students and staff officially moving in during Term 3.
The O'Neill building now houses 12 technologically advanced classrooms, computer lab and learning support rooms; a tuckshop; art room; mini library with bean bags for reading; dedicated work benches/spaces for science and large projects with access to water on both floors; and an undercover croft area suitable for assemblies and presentations where students can play at morning tea and lunch.
Bishop Finnigan led Nudgee College staff, Year 5-7 students, parents and guests through the introductory rites and opening prayer before delivering a homily that focused on the spirit of Remembrance Day, which had been celebrated the day before.
"It is somewhat fitting that we are here today, the day after Remembrance Day, to bless this amazing new facility by honouring and remembering the work of Br O'Neill and the teaching ministry of the Christian Brothers," he said.
During his homily Bishop Finnigan also acknowledged Australia's service men and women who have lost their lives defending our country and the pain suffered by the stolen generation.
Bishop Finnigan then blessed the under croft where the ceremony occurred and inside the building.
Nudgee College Principal Mr Daryl Hanly and College Dean Mr Graham Leddie addressed the crowd before Mr Hanly and Br Vic Larkin CFC unveiled the commemorative plaque that will be placed on the building.
The ceremony concluded with an Aboriginal smoking ceremony in which traditional owner Uncle Joe Kirk, who had earlier performed the welcome to country, burnt leaves at the entrance way of the building which all present walked through.
The smoke produced during a smoking ceremony is said to take bad spirits away from the area where the ceremony is performed. It also cleanses and heals those who walk through it.