Blessing of the Heritage Centre

The newly constructed archives building built between Herbert House and Red Gables at 42 Victoria Road, Freshfield was handed over on 23rd February 2009 by the builders and architects. Since that time, the furnishing and the 14 marble slabs bearing the names of some of the deceased members of the Society were painstakenly incorporated into the interior. Fr Tom O'Brien, the new archivist, oversaw the installation of the shelvings and was responsible for transferring the archival materials over from St Peter's House where it had been stored since their former home, St Joseph's College, was sold.

It was eventually decided that the archives building would be named "the Mill Hill Missionaries Heritage Centre." The blessing of the Centre was scheduled to take place on Monday, 29th June 2009, on the Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul. The General Superior, Fr Anthony Chantry was invited to preside at the Eucharistic Celebration which was to precede the Blessing of the building.

The Liturgy started at 10.00 am. Most of the residents of Herbert House and some invited guests were present. Br Jos Boerkamp, the Councillor for Finance, was the first reader. He had been overseeing the building project on behalf of the General Council.

Fr Tony, in his homily, reiterated that it was entirely fitting that on this day of celebrating the lives and influence of Peter and Paul, we also recognise with pride the history and heritage of our Society. "The beautiful Heritage Centre, hopefully with its strong foundation, will protect and honour the history of our Society as part of the story of Christian mission.  It will allow future generations of missionaries to be inspired by the lives of those builders of the Church in times gone by: men and women, many of them real larger-than-life characters, who gave their lives in service of the Church’s Mission."

He concluded his homily by impressing upon those present that we cannot have a vision of the future without a deep appreciation of the past.  The Heritage Centre embraces the past and points to the future.  The mission of the Church is far from finished: in many ways it has just begun. This Heritage Centre points to the future and inspires us to be messengers of change in proclaiming the coming of God’s Kingdom.

To view a copy of the complete homily, please click here.

After the Mass, there was time for a cup of coffee before the Blessing of the Heritage Centre. By this time, all those involved in the design and building of the Centre were present. Just a little after 12 noon, all gathered outside the new Heritage Centre for the blessing.

Fr Tony began by greeting everyone present and proceeded to thank all those involved in the design, building and furnishing of the Centre.

For a list of those thanked, please click here.

The Rite began with a recollection with gratitude to all those who had collaborated to enable the Society to fulfil the worldwide mission of the Church, whose story the Heritage Centre would strife to safeguard for future generations.

To view the whole Rite of Blessing, please click here.

"We thank you in a special way today for your gifts embodied in this building gifts of imagination and design, of craftsmanship and construction – and we ask your blessing on the archivists, builders, masons and carpenters who have served us well. We ask your blessing also on the archivists who have preserved the records of the Mill Hill apostolate and on the people who have given them generous assistance. Bless also our Members who have written histories of our missions and accounts of their own missionary experience. And we pray that the work which will be done in the years ahead – in this fine Heritage Centre – will create a bond between our missionary ancestors and our young Mill Hill Missionaries from Africa and Asia, and inspire them to continue, with their own imagination and creativity, the story that began in the missionary heart of our founder Herbert Vaughan."

Fr Hans Boerakker, the previous archivist who had flown in from the Netherlands for this occasion, read from the First letter of St Paul to the Corinthians, "People must think of us as Christ’s servants, stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God; and what is expected of stewards is that each one should be found trustworthy."

After the reading, Fr Tony proceeded to introduce the prayer of blessing "Let everyone who comes here find inspiration in the life stories of ordinary men and women who offered to the Lord their five loaves and two fish – the full measure of their faith, zeal and love for humanity; an offering that has multiplied beyond all expectation in the birth and growth of the young churches. And may everyone who comes here leave again with the desire to do their part, creatively and imaginatively, in the construction of your kingdom in the world, the kingdom of justice and peace."

Then Fr Tom O'Brien, the new archivist, held out the water to be blessed by Fr Tony, "Lord, may this water, blessed in your name, be a sign of your protection on this building, on all who will work in it and on all things in it. Protect them from all harm. Give peace to the men and women who designed and built it, and may your blessing remain with them and with their families now and always."

Fr Bill Dowds who is 93 years old and is celebrating 68 years as a priest at the end of the month was invited to cut the red ribbon to indicate the opening of the building.

After the ribbon had been cut, Fr Tony entered the building and went from room to room to sprinkle holy water.

After he had finihsed going from room to room, Fr Tony returned to the waiting crowd and gave the final blessing. "May the Father love you, and come to you and live with you. May the Son of God stay with you and give you his peace. May the Spirit of God teach you all things and remain with you forever. And may Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

All those present had an opportunity to enter the building to view the various rooms and the exhibition of a sampling of important documents which had been put on display by Fr Tom in the Conference Room.

To end the day, a reception was held at the dining room of Herbert House.