St Augustine’s opens Avila Centre

ST AUGUSTINE’S Catholic Parish has celebrated the blessing and opening of Avila Centre, a major new development on Dalley Street, Coffs Harbour, opposite St Augustine’s Primary School.

The building was funded by the Diocesan Investment Fund and will serve as a southern base for the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office, consolidating staff from multiple locations into a single, collaborative workspace.

In addition, the centre provides retail opportunities for local businesses.

Speaking at the event Bishop Greg Homeming OCD said the blessing encompassed all involved in creating the physical structure.

“We bless not only the building, but the builders, architects, and community here who made it possible.

“And so, in blessing, I give my blessing to the whole of Coffs Harbour.”

The Centre is named after St Theresa of Avila, Bishop Homeming said.

“After Mary, the mother of Jesus, she is perhaps the most significant woman in the Catholic Church.

“Kindness, common sense, hard work, hospitality, gentleness – these are all attributes which mark St Theresa of Avila and ones that hopefully mark your community here.”

Also in attendance to officially open the building by cutting the ribbon were City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh.

Cr Williams said the opening of Avila Centre is a “huge example” of “the amount of work and investment that the Catholic Church puts into Coffs Harbour

“You do such good quality work, and that’s what makes our communities better places,” she said.

Mr Singh added, “The Church has brought so much to Coffs Harbour in recent years.

“Thank you for what you continue to do, not only from a religious perspective but in education, aged care and other ways.

“It is helping to revitalise our city and keep our citizens at the forefront.”

By Andrea FERRARI