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The Society's Australian Birthplace was St Francis' Church,
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. The founder of the first conference
(branch) of the Society was Fr Gerald Ward, an Englishman of Irish
parents. He was born in London in 1806 and described as a short,
stout man. He was ordained priest in 1839 and spent most of his
priestly life in the parish of Runcorn in Cheshire before leaving
for Melbourne in response to a call for priests by Melbourne's
first bishop, James Alipius Goold.
Fr Ward was initially stationed at St Francis' which was at that
time the cathedral church. In his time at St Francis', he was
in charge of the temporal affairs of the church and the development
of St Patrick's, and of the presbytery and small seminary attached
to St Francis'.
The period which followed Ward's arrival was one of the most dramatic
and influential in the history of Victoria. It was the time when
Victoria was officially separated from the colony of New South
Wales; and the time of the gold rush in Victoria. The population
of Melbourne surged from 20,000 towards 100,000. During 1852 skilled
labour was in short supply. Wages and prices soared. Housing shortages
and pressure was put on the already inadequate infrastructure.
During 1853, as disillusioned miners began to drift back to the
city from the gold fields, thousands of new buildings were constructed.
Melbourne began to boom but there were the downsides. Whilst many
prospered, others found life extremely difficult. Swindlers, vagabonds,
runaway convicts and criminals abounded. Homeless and abandoned
children roamed the streets in packs.
Fr Ward was at St Francis' just a few weeks after the death of
the principal founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Frederic
Ozanam. Ward's primary motivation for forming a conference of
St Vincent de Paul is not clear. Whatever the reason, Fr Ward
presided over the first meeting of the Conference of Melbourne
on 5 March 1854.
Seven weeks later, on 30 April 1854, the conference's 15 members
were inducted at a pontifical High Mass at St Francis' before
a packed congregation. In February 1855 a submission was made
to the government for a share of poundage fees for charitable
works. The document indicated that the Society's emphasis was
on providing relief to the destitute. Also in 1855, the then Vicar-General
wrote to the Colonial Secretary seeking land in the city where
a Catholic orphanage might be built. The request was approved
and Fr Ward appealed to the public for funds to enable the construction
on land located on the corner of Cecil and Raglan Streets, Emerald
Hill (now South Melbourne). On 7 October 1855, Bishop Goold laid
the foundation stone for the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage. The
inscription on the foundation stones reads: "This building was
raised by the pious labours of the Society of St Vincent de Paul
under the guidance of a Cathedral priest of St Francis - the Reverend
Gerald Ward. May this building be a refuge for orphans, the product
of man's folly and the fearful happenings and dangers of a perverse
world."
The building contained separate dormitories and classrooms with
several adjacent outhouses where those of a suitable age could
be taught various trades.
Fr Ward bore much of the responsibility for the orphanage. This
continued even after his transfer to Heidelberg around April 1857.
His health began to deteriorate rapidly, and he died on 14 January
1858, aged 52. His was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery.
Although the first conference lapsed with the death of its founder,
the seed sown by Ward still had some life in it. The first ladies'
conference was founded in Geelong in 1874, before the establishment
of a conference at St Patrick's Cathedral in 1885 signalled the
birth of a new era of continuous growth which continues to this
day.
… These notes courtesy Kevin Slattery, author of a forthcoming
pamphlet on Fr Gerald Ward. cf. VIEWPOINT (a publication of SVDP
Society, Victoria. Autumn 2004)
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Two significant events, part of the festive celebrations for the
Sesqui-centenary of the Society in Australia, were celebrated
at the historic St Francis' Church, Melbourne, in May.
1 Ozanam Lecture
On Thursday, 20 May, the 2004 Ozanam Lecture was given
by Fr Frank Brennan SJ, OA. The title of his lecture was
"The Church's Voice and State Powers for Justice and Peace: Seeking
Decency, Harmony and Equality for All"
Fr Frank spoke with humour, vigour, passion and sensitivity to
a gathering estimated to be close on 650 people. The text of his
talk is available for reading. You are invited to check the website:
http://www.uniya.org/
On this particular evening, the Welcome was given by Mr Syd Tutton,
State President of the SVDP Socirty, Victoria. The Introduction
was given by Mr Tony Tome, Ringwood Regional Council. Lecture
given by Fr Frank Brennan, SJ, Associate Director UNIYA. The Respondent
was Sr Libby Rogerson, Coordinator of Social Justice & Director
of Caritas in the Diocese of Parramatta (NSW). The Closing conducted
by Miss Benita De Vincentiis, State Councillor.
Following the lecture, people were welcomed to the Pastoral Centre
at St Francis' to visit the historic display erected by the Society
for the sesqui-centenary celebrations, as well to meet informally
and share conversation with Fr Brennan and other distinguished
guests.
2 Mass of Thanksgiving
On Saturday, 22 May, an estimated 1500 people joined together
for the Mass of Thanksgiving. Members of the St Vincent de Paul
Society, their families, friends and benefactors, along with a
large number of the lay faithful joined with priests and bishops
and distinguished guests in a most jubilant and festive occasion.
It was an occasion for remembering all those volunteers and members
who have participated in assisting those in need, and to pray
for God's continued blessings on the Society and on all those
who carry out its work.
Notable distinguished guests for the Mass were:
Their Excellencies, the Governor General and Mrs Jeffries
International Vice President of SVDP - Mr Michael Theo & Mrs Rosalind
Theo
National President of SVDP in England & Wales - Mr James McDaid
National President of SVDP in New Zealand - Mr William Tullock
National President of SVDP in Australia - Mr John Meahan & Mrs
Helen Meahan Senior
National Vice-President of SVDP in Australia - Mr Brian Bull &
Mrs Patricia Bull
All Australian State & Territory Presidents
The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart - Archbishop
of Melbourne and concelebrated by:
Emeritus Archbishop Sir Frank Little - Melbourne
Archbishop John Bathersby - Archbishop of Brisbane
Archbishop Adrian Doyle - Archbishop of Hobart
Archbishop Petro Mataca - Archbishop of Suva
Bishop Peter Connors - Bishop of Ballarat Diocese
Bishop Joe Grech - Bishop of Sandhurst Diocese
Bishop Mark Coleridge - Auxiliary Bishop in Melbourne
Bishop Christopher Prowse - Auxiliary Bishop in Melbourne
Rev. Monsignor Les Tomlinson - Vicar General of Archdiocese of
Melbourne
Rev Father Geoffrey Baron - The Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral,
Melbourne.
In addition, there were 18 priests.
Very Rev Father Peter Collins SSS - Vicar Provincial of the Australian
Province of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation, and Community
Leader at St Francis', welcomed the dignitaries, guests and all
participants.
The Choir & Music was under the Director of Music at St Francis'
- Mr Tony Way Cantor was Miss Larissa Cairns, and the Organist
was Mr Paul Taylor.
Because a capacity crowd was anticipated, the liturgy planning
committee in association with the Blessed Sacrament Community
at St Francis', arranged for seating in the church, in a marquee
erected in the church grounds, in the St Francis' hall and the
Pastoral Centre. With the use of modern technology, the liturgy
was relayed (picture and sound) directly to the various venues.
The full and active participation of everyone was thus achieved,
and the combined joy and sacredness of the event assured.
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