The call of the blue cross at Bowen Hills

By Duyen Cao

Our Lady of Victories church in Bowen Hills, known for its blue cross, has been a beacon of peace for people all over Brisbane and even abroad. When Father Jerzy Prucnal visited the church as a substitute priest in the early 1990s from Poland, he dreamed of coming back.

Father Prucnal said that although his work has taken him all over the world, from his home village of Stobierna in Poland, to Capetown, London and Melbourne, Our Lady of Victories held a special place in his heart.

“I loved the parish even back then…I had a dream to be the parish priest here one day. That dream came true this year,” he said.

“The best time is when I am saying Mass and bringing Jesus to people…I enjoy meeting the people after Mass on Sunday as they leave, speaking with them.

“It’s difficult to put it into words, but there is a very special feeling I have, about being a priest at this parish of Our Lady of Victories.”

For almost a century, Our Lady of Victories has remained a sanctuary for Catholic parishioners all over Brisbane.

“In 1919, the famous Archbishop James Duhig laid the foundation stone for a new memorial church in honour of all Queensland Catholic soldiers and sailors who died in WWI…A unique honour roll was installed in the Church and displays the names of the 1,822 men and 2 female nurses who died,” Father Prucnal said.

“The blue cross on our Church has shone for almost 100 years now, as a perpetual memorial to those who lost their lives.

“The church’s mission for peace continued in a new way when it welcomed two waves of Polish migration to Queensland in the 1940s-50s post-World War II and again in the 1980s.

“The parish became a real refuge from the terrors of war and communism, where Polish migrants could re-establish their lives, gather together in community.

“We are inspired by seeing the unique gift of every person, even outside of our community or not religious, because we see god’s image and likeness in every single person.”

Recently, the church received a $50,000 grant from the Queensland government as part of an initiative called the Community Sustainability Action Grants program. The church will use the money to repair its roof and establish a conservation management plan to ensure continued use by the community.

Our Lady of Victories is extremely grateful for any support people can give. Visit their website bowenhillsparish.org.au for more information, including how to make tax-deductible donations.