FEAST DAY AUGUST 23

Born Lima, Peru

20 April, 1586

Died lima 30 August, 1617

St. Rose of Lima is the patroness of Latin America and the Philippines. This South American Saint's real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful baby that she was called Rose, and that name remained. As she grew older, she became more and more beautiful, and one day, her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. To this day she is represented wearing a crown of roses.

Rose had no desire to be admired, for her heart had been given to Jesus. She worked hard to support her poor parents and humbly obeyed them, except when they tried to get her to marry. That she would not do. Her love of Jesus was so great that when she talked about Him, her face glowed and her eyes sparkled.

There were many times when she had to suffer feelings of terrible loneliness and sadness, for God seemed far away. Yet she cheerfully offered all these troubles to Him. In fact, in her last long, painful sickness, she asked the Lord that these sufferings help to increase her love for God.

Many miracles followed her death. She was beatified by Clement IX, in 1667, and canonized in 1671 by Clement X, the first American to be so honoured and became the patroness of South America and The Philippine Islands.

We celebrate her feast on August 23rd.

HISTORY OF ST ROSE PARISH, COLLAROY PLATEAU

Saint Rose of Lima Church, Collaroy Plateau was opened on the 19th November, 1967 by Bishop Thomas Muldoon.

The first building committee meeting was held on the 25th September, 1967. Just over ten months later the church was built, operating as a Chapel of Ease from Narrabeen.

In 1971 St Rose of Lima received the status of a parish.

The first Parish Priest was Father Norman Grady.

The first Baptism took place on 21st February, 1971 and the first marriage in March 1971.

The presbytery (the present Parish Office) replaced the weatherboard house in 1972. It was constructed by parishioner Kevin Dunn and was designed for two priests.

On July 1st 2006 the parish of St Rose was amalgamated with St Joseph's Narrabeen taking on the name of The Lakes Catholic Parish of St Joseph's St Rose, Narrabeen and Collaroy Plateau.