POLDING HOUSE

Polding house is named after Archbishop John Bede Polding and our patron saint is St Vincent de Paul.

John Bede Polding was born in England. He was consecrated as Australia's first bishop in London in 1834. In 1841 Bishop Polding revisited England and then went on to Rome to report on his work and petition for the establishment 17 of a hierarchy, which was granted in 1842. Bishop Polding then became the first Archbishop of Sydney and Primate of all Australia. He spoke out about injustices in society and gave a voice to those who had no voice: the poor, the convicts, the Aborigines and women. During his 40 years in Australia he rode thousands of miles visiting Catholics throughout the colony.

Our patron saint, Saint Vincent de Paul, is remembered for his virtue of charity, which he extended to all people and all social classes. His work included calling others to minister to the poor, the young and the very old. His life focussed strongly on prayer and contemplation of God’s word and reaching out in mission to others.

St Vincent de Paul wrote;

“We must love our neighbour as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.”

This reminds members of Polding House to uphold the core value of celebration and thanksgiving. Like Polding we are called to proclaim the good news of the gospels.