Opening and Blessing of Holy Cross Laundry, Banyo

The opening and blessing of the Holy Cross Laundry were celebrated on Wednesday 3 December 2015 (International Day of People with Disability) at the new Banyo facility.  

Before the ceremony guests were treated to cool drinks and an array of finger foods. This provided the opportunity for guests to mingle with laundry staff and there was nothing but praise for the improvements in facilities from employees and interest in the processes and new machinery and capacity from the clients.  

Mr Vince O’Rourke, as Chair of Holy Cross Laundry Ltd provided the Acknowledgement of Country and welcomed all to the event. A Candle Procession of 5 candles gathered the memories of the past 125 years of the ministry. While Archbishop Mark Coleridge in the Opening Prayer invited the community to pray a blessing of light and life on the new laundry and its staff. He also shared his reflection on the scripture reading from St Paul writing to the people of Corinth read by Sandra Lupi rsm.

A series of speeches accompanied the unveiling of the memorial Plaque by Mr Brian Flannery, Chair Mater Health Services Board and Sandra Lupi rsm, Mercy Partners Council and of the Mercy Cross by Catherine Reuter rsm Congregation leader, Sisters of Mercy Brisbane.

The Mercy Cross sculptured from granite will hang in the laundry as a sign of Holy Cross’ links with the Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane from 1889 and a symbol of the Gospel and mercy values that are lived within this Mercy ministry in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy.