News 3

Gippsland Funeral Services staff arranged for the transport of the Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux from the Carmelite Monestry in Kew as part of her Australian Pilgramage. The following is the drivers log of this trip.

Driver's Log by Scott Rossetti Managing Director of Gippsland Funeral Services

Sister Elizabeth (Liz) Roberts of Morwell and I left Sale at 4.45AM. On arrival at the Carmelite Monastery at 7.15AM, Sr. Elizabeth and I were greeted by one of the sisters of the Monastery and taken into the Monastery for the 7.30AM Farewell Mass. We weren't so much invited inside as whisked away. The sisters were exceptional organisers and had everything running smoothly. We were a little embarrassed about being made such a fuss of; although we appreciated the hospitality and the front row seating we were given.

The farewell mass was particularly moving with approximately 3 priests and a bishop con-celebrating the mass. The monastery was filled to capacity (approx 400 PAX) as well as a separate seating area outside served by a large video screen and audio system (approx 300 PAX).

The atmosphere was quite electric and full of emotion. This was a great example of how ritual can take people away from the everyday reality and move them into the spiritual realm.

When St Thérèse was lifted by 6 Melbourne Fire Brigade firemen and shoulder carried out of the monastery, it really felt like the congregation were farewelling a very dear old friend who would not be seen again.

Brian Bennett of Mulqueens Funeral Services transferred responsibility of the Thérèsemobile (the Holden vehicle used for transporting the relics) to me. Sr. Elizabeth and I left Kew in the vehicle, travelling along the Princes Highway to Sale. On the way to Sale, we passed by the Morwell Catholic church where parish members were boarding a bus for Sale. They were not expecting us and, with our windows down, we could hear calls of excited recognition "The Little Flower is there".

We travelled on to Traralgon arriving at 11.30AM. Here they had been expecting us and the 11AM mass was just leaving the church. The parishioners formed a guard of honour which we drove through. Many of the parishioners threw rose petals at the vehicle. There were several displays of emotion during this guard of honour.

We travelled on to Rosedale where parishioners were ready to follow the Thérèsemobile to Sale. About 12 cars were ready to leave when we passed the St Rose of Lima church. The church sign had roses placed in tribute and a parishioner was praying on bended knee on the side of the road as we went past.

On the way to Sale, a couple were praying at their farm gate. They had obviously been waiting for our passing by.

We arrived at St Mary's cathedral in Sale at 12.30PM. The local WIN Television News filmed the arrival which was broadcast that evening. Approximately 200 people were outside of the cathedral in a guard of honour to welcome the Thérèsemobile. Sue Hirst of Gippsland Funeral Services immediately unlocked the reliquary ready for carriage into the cathedral.

Bishop Coffey welcomed St Thérèse before the bearers, five students from the Sale Catholic College and one teacher, prepared to carry the reliquary. The reliquary was carried in procession from the Thérèsemobile to the front of the cathedral. The procession was led by the candlebearers followed by Fr. Mark Godridge and Bishop Jeremiah Coffey, Scott Rossetti, the reliquary and bearers followed by Sue Hirst. The carry was at arms length into the cathedral and then on the shoulders to the front of the cathedral.

Sue had to physically keep people from pushing the reliquary during the carry-in. The parishioners were very determined to touch the reliquary at this time. Several of our Italian community were very excited calling out Viva St Thérèse with applause and other responses following. There were approximately 500 people inside of the cathedral at this time.

Father Godridge and Bishop Coffey performed a welcome ceremony including several prayers and the congregation were then invited to pay their own tribute to the reliquary.

The reliquary remained in place until the following Wednesday morning when it was farewelled in a 6.30AM mass preceding it's transport to Ballarat.