21. TREE AND LIGHT

At right, the sanctuary light fixed to the wall indicates the presence of the Reserved Elements of the Eucharist within the tabernacle.  The tree is a little more difficult. It appears to be a children’ project illustrating new life and growth in the Christian faith.    INDEX

22. SACRED HEART AND BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

At the sides of the sanctuary we have the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These two figures are found in almost every Catholic church and cathedral. The Sacred Heart is a representation of Jesus with his great love for the world indicated by the exposed heart. And the Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus, through whom God brought the Saviour into the world.

23. NORTH TRANSEPT

Immediately North of the sanctuary is the small North transept with congregational seating, and a doorway through to the adjoining building. There is a painting above the door.

24. LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Lady of Perpetual Succour) is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary as represented in a celebrated 15th-century Byzantine icon. The icon originated from the Keras Kardiotissas Monastery and has been in Rome since 1499. Today it is permanently enshrined in the Church of Saint Alphonsus, where the official Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help text is prayed weekly.    

25. SOUTH TRANSEPT

Returning to the South side, we have the South transept: a chapel, separated from the sanctuary by a small organ, a Paschal candle, and a baptismal font.

26. FONT AND CANDLE

The baptismal font here is a glass bowl supported on a marble column. Baptism is seen as a rite of entry into the Church fellowship, and into a personal relationship with Christ. The Paschal candle is a symbol showing that Christ is the Light of the world. It is lit during the Easter period and on special occasions.

27. ORGAN

Music for the Church services is provided by a small electronic organ. The sound is amplified through two speakers, as we have seen.

28. ST THÉRÈSE CHAPEL

The South transept appears to be an unsatisfactory combination of congregational seating and chapel, On the Eastern wall is a shrine to St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873 – 1897).

29. ST THÉRÈSE

She was a French Catholic Discalced (Barefoot) Carmelite nun who is widely venerated in modern times. She is popularly known as ‘The Little Flower of Jesus’, or simply ‘The Little Flower’. She has been a highly influential model of sanctity for Catholics and for others because of the simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life.

30. DIVINE MERCY AND ST MARY OF THE CROSS

Also in this transept are two pictures. At left is a well known painting called ‘Divine Mercy’ – a depiction of Jesus Christ based on a devotion initiated by Saint Faustina Kowalska. Jesus is shown raising his right hand in blessing and pointing with his left hand on the Sacred Heart from which flow forth two rays: one red and one pale. At right is a photograph of St Mary of the Cross. Mary Helen MacKillop RSJ (1842 – 1909) was an Australian religious sister who has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church, as St Mary of the Cross. Of Scottish descent, she was born in Melbourne but is best known for her activities in South Australia.. Together with the Reverend Julian Tenison-Woods, she founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites), a congregation of religious sisters that established a number of schools and welfare institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand, with an emphasis on education for the rural poor.

31. ST CANUTE ICON

On the South wall of this transept is an interesting icon of St Canute. Canute IV (c. 1042 – 1086), was King of Denmark from 1080 until 1086. Canute was an ambitious king who sought to strengthen the Danish monarchy, devotedly supported the Roman Catholic Church, and had designs on the English throne. Slain by rebels in 1086, he was the first Danish king to be canonized. He was recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as patron saint of Denmark in 1101.   The icon was brought to the Church by Danish Bishop Kozon as a gift to St Canute’s Church and its parishioners for the Church centenary in 2012. A hundred years earlier, Danish priest Fr Peder Jorgensen had founded the church in 1912.

32. PROCESSIONAL CRUCIFIX

The processional crucifix is used to lead the procession of clergy during Sunday services. This completes our tour of the Church of St Canute.