Liturgy of Lament on the Closure of a Church

It’s 6pm on Tuesday 19 May 2026, and a small congregation of the faithful have gathered at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Boolaroo. Tonight, will be one of the last times these parishioners gather in this way.

The occasion is a Liturgy of Lament, offered in honour of a church preparing to close its doors, its structure claimed by the silent damage of concrete cancer.

Led by Fr Darryl Mackie, the Liturgy is reflective and hopeful, giving the community space to share their feelings, honour the years of service this church has provided, and look with hope toward what comes next.

It opens with the church surrounded by candlelight, honouring those who have illuminated this community and who will continue to do so, in another of the Parish’s churches, or wherever life takes them.

Fr Darryl speaks from the heart, offering thanks and prayer, and giving the community room to share memories and mark the occasion with the lighting of candles.

It is a moving evening. Tears are shed, memories surface gently, and quiet acts of love and gratitude pass between those gathered.

“It had been the week I was dreading since we made the decision back in July 2025. It turned out to be one of the most grace filled moments of a church community celebrating its care for each other,” says Fr Darryl.

“The Tuesday evening Liturgy of Lament was filled with tears, with gratitude and with some laughter. Saturday’s closing was more solemn and in thanksgiving for what has been and what is to come,” says Fr Darryl.

Our Lady Help of Christians Church has given much to this community, and this community has given much in return. Its closure is not an ending. The Church, after all, is not just bricks and mortar. It is a living Church, made of people, of prayer, of shared years and quiet faithfulness. Those things do not stop – they simply find a new home.