The Catholic Diocese of Lismore is extending an open invitation to the community to join them in celebrating 100 years of St Vincent’s Hospital this Saturday at St Carthages Cathedral.

The Centenary Mass will begin at 10.30am with Bishop of Lismore the Most Reverend Gregory Homeming, as the principal celebrant together with the Most Reverend Geoffrey Jarrett DD, Bishop Emeritus of Lismore and priests of the diocese.

Bishop for Lismore, the Most Reverend Gregory Homeming OCD said dedicated doctors, nurses, chaplains and staff have been by the side of thousands of people in critical times of need and often at the end of life. 

“While excellent medical treatment and care has always been a corner stone of St Vincent’s, it is the focus on the person which marks the hospital.

“St Vincent’s is more than a medical establishment.

“Recently I was a patient in St Vincent’s and was gladdened by the care and love that I received. 

“I am proud of our hospital. 

“As we begin our next 100 years, I pray that God will bless our endeavours and prosper our work.

St Vincent’s Hospital has been serving Lismore and the Northern Rivers community for 100 years. 

An initiative of Bishop John Carroll, the second bishop of Lismore, it was the work of the Sisters of Charity for its first 60 years with the motto of the Sisters of Charity being Caritas Christi Urget Nos, “the Love of Christ Impels Us”.

Owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Lismore, St Vincent’s hospital is the only hospital run by a Diocese.

St Vincent’s humble beginning started when Bishop Carroll bought four acres of land with a timber two-storey residence in Dalley Street, Lismore in 1920.

Four Sisters of Charity travelled by train from Sydney to establish the hospital – Sisters Leonard, Adrian, Luigi and Norbert. 

The Sisters occupied the upper floor of the residence and converted the remainder of the building to the hospital. 

Within a year they had the hospital up and running with the Sisters caring for their first patients who were admitted by Doctor Coen and Doctor Fransceschi.

The St Vincent’s committee began building an operating theatre on the North-East corner of the original building.

Sister Leonard O’Beirne was the first Mother Superior and Sister Luigi returned 16 years later to become Superior. 

The brass Leonard Bell was installed and is now inside the hospital’s Avondale Avenue entrance.

Chief Executive Officer of St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Lismore, Steve Brierley said St Vincent’s has a rich history, keeping pace with the diverse healthcare needs of the people in the Northern Rivers. 

“As we celebrate 100 years we look back with pride at how our hospital evolved from humble beginnings to the modern healthcare precinct it is today.

“As we look to our future, it is our unique history that inspires us to keep serving our community with great healthcare,” Mr Brierley said.

All in the community are cordially invited to attend the Centenary Mass, Saturday, 12th June at St Carthages Cathedral in Lismore beginning at 10.30am.