The Chimes

The evening began with a reflective liturgy featuring the inspiring life and work of missionary monk Dom Rosendo Salvado, co-founder of New Norcia.

Along with the Principal’s Address and videos depicting the rich life of the Holy Cross Family in 2024, the huge gathering enjoyed fine musical and dance performances from the students.

End of year award presentations were made, with some very impressive students receiving multiple awards of excellence.

Abbot John was to present the Salvado House award to Samarra Baltaza who was unable to attend, but was pleased to present an award to year 11 student Grace Birkett for her outstanding witness to the values of the Salvado House Enrichment Pillar – Gratitude and Stewardship.

New Norcia continues to value this special connection with Holy Cross College and looks forward to all the opportunities to give expression to this in 2025.

Terry and his sons prepared a beautiful memorial stone and plaque near Michael’s favourite olive tree.

Abbot John presented the family with a framed blessing, and everyone enjoyed a hearty country brunch afterwards…an opportunity also to see all the photos of Isabella and Wyatt’s recent wedding at New Norcia.

Maureen and daughters Loretta and Deb have a long association with the New Norcia Community.  They have been coming for their annual weekend retreat which later became twice a year. Maureen loved chatting to the monks and guests in the monastery guesthouse.

Aged 87, Maureen passed away peacefully after a short illness in Mercy Place Nursing Home on Saturday 26th October.

She leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Ernest; she was the much-loved mother of Loretta, Deb and Kelly, mother-in-law to Steve and Leanne.

Maureen had three sisters, Beverley, Leonie, and Kerry (deceased). She also had two half-brothers, Bernie and Tony.

Maureen was a proud grandmother of nine and delighted great grandmother of nine.

Beyond her work life and family commitments, Maureen had a rich array of personal interests and hobbies that brought her joy and fulfilment.

Maureen and Ernest managed two hotels, The Dwellingup Community Hotel and the Hordern Hotel in Narrogin, from 1969 to 1976.  As a warm and welcoming person, she was able to express herself fully in this role and often chatted about this time in her later life.

She loved spending time in nature, especially the Dwellingup bush. Other interests were birdwatching, yoga and Banjo Patterson's poetry.  She often recited excerpts from hilarious limericks.

The Mass was well attended, included moving tributes, and the liturgy was enhanced with much participation from local Mandurah parishioners.

We are pleased that one of his final projects was to complete the final stage of urgent works on the monastery verandas. 

John has completed countless projects across the site, an extraordinary contribution to the conservation and restoration of New Norcia’s beautiful, yet fragile buildings. 

We express our sincere gratitude to John and wish him every blessing in his retirement…while praying that when he’s a bit bored with retirement, he’ll return to do the odd gentle project in the future!

This week saw the foundation concrete painted in “New Norcia red” giving a very striking accent to a very beautiful building. The worker doing the painting…. Dimitri Bakarozos, the newest member of the Grounds and Maintenance team. Dimitri is Greek, and started his working life as an aeronautical technician maintaining jet engines, as a member of the Greek air force. In recent years he has worked in the Catholic schools system in Perth and Kalgoorlie as a maintenance worker. He will be joined by his wife and two adult sons in the new year.