Sydney Ministries - Marsfield
The property at 199 Epping Road, Marsfield, NSW is the Administrative Centre of the Australia Province. When purchased in 1963 the land was basically an orchard and on the edge of suburbia. The area developed very quickly, effecting the nature and needs of the geographical area, the church and the Society. The flexibility of the buildings allowed the Society to adapt and develop in a manner suitable to meet these needs.
Today the grounds are surrounded by educational buildings, secondary and tertiary; aged care facilities and residential buildings. A large Commercial/Business Park is developing within a five minutes drive with a commanding shopping centre between.
Marsfield - the SVD Community
Through many adjustments and changes the Marsfield house has retained its purpose of being a house of hospitality for SVD members and missionaries visiting from overseas as well as for members of the Australia Province who visit from other centres. The Freinademetz Building provides the living space for the community members and visitors.
Several priests and brothers of the Marsfield community are involved in active ministry . Most of them reach out to Catholic Ethnic Communities in the immediate area and metropolitan Sydney . Many people from South East Asia and Europe rejoice in being able to attend liturgies in their own languages. The newly arrived and the older, earlier arrivals particularly find this a comfort, enabling them to establish themselves in multicultural Australia .
Poor and marginalized citizens can always be found in big cities. Cana Communities, established in the Redfern area, provide basic daily needs of food, shelter and support in obtaining some degree of justice in other areas of life. Several members of the Marsfield Community are volunteer workers in that service.
Arnold Janssen House
Several of first Australian members of the Society have returned from the mission fields, aging and frail, requiring physical and health care of hostel style accommodation and associated services. The number of these men fluctuates as very few missionaries want to ‘retire' but they accept a time for special care with the hope of being restored in health and strength. One wing of the building is occupied and a second wing will be made available as needed. A brother is charged with the care of this House and to ensure that those who ‘have borne the heat and burden of the day' are comfortable.
Chapel and Conference Centre
The ‘demountable' chapel which was always intended as temporary, was replaced after fifteen years by a beautiful curved Chapel with a conference centre beneath. The chapel is dedicated to the Founder, St Arnold Janssen and was blessed in preparation for the celebration of his canonization. The Chapel is the heart of the Liturgical Life for the SVD Community, with the praying of the Prayer of the Church each morning and evening. Daily Mass is attended by people living in the local area and on Sundays a larger worshiping community gathers. Special liturgical and sacramental events are celebrated. The final farewell of community members are celebrated with a Requiem Mass. Other celebrations are happier moments of achievements by SVD Members and their extended families. The conference centre gives space for the sharing of food and experiences following liturgical events.
The Adminstrative Centre
The official centre of the Province Administration is situated in the grounds of Marsfield Community giving members and others easy access to the Provincial Superior. Leading and supporting the Australia Province of the Society of approximately 60 members is a demanding and time consuming role, requiring availability of modern means of quick and reliable communication. The Board Room and the Administrative Offices, together with the office of the Provincial Treasurer, are located in close proximity. The Mission Secretariate is also within the administration building.
