St. Francis' Chapel At Centrepoint Arcade, Geelong

The parishes of the Geelong Region, through the Deanery Committee, operate a Chapel and Bookshop in the Centrepoint Arcade, Geelong. The Priests of the area are supporting the project, and Mass is offered in the Chapel each week day (except Saturday and Sunday) at 1:05pm.

The Chapel has taken the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi, in recognition of more than 150 years of similar pastoral and sacramental work provided by St. Francis' Church in Lonsdale Street, to Melbourne city workers and people. St. Francis' Chapel at Eastland, Ringwood was established in 1996, and the daily Mass celebrated there is attended by more than 60 people.

The Geelong Central Business District is a major focal point for people of this area, meeting retail, business, cultural and social needs. The provision of a place of an immediately accessible place of prayer, reflection and worship can offer much to many - not only to Catholics but to all those who seek God's care and love.

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Chapel, under the roof of the Centrepoint Arcade, which is linked in management with Market Square. Those who use the Chapel - shoppers, retail and office staff, visitors, whoever will find in the St. Francis ' Chapel and its services something of peace and encouragement in finding God in the midst of the busy-ness of our daily lives.

The priests of the Geelong Region celebrate the daily Mass at 1:05pm, some scheduled every fortnight, some once every four weeks. The provision of Mass each week day, with an opportunity for Reconciliation afterwards, is probably the main feature of what St. Francis' Chapel can provide -but the availability of a quiet place of prayer and reflection is also a tremendous facility for the thousands of people who find their way to the Geelong C.B.D. every day.

Around 150 parishioners of the Geelong Region parishes are needed to provide volunteer service at the Chapel every day, with a three-person team being rostered for duty at all times. The volunteers provide a friendly, welcoming presence, undertake the necessary preparations before and tidy-up after Mass, and assist in the operation of the Bookshop.

St. Francis' Chapel opens at 10:00 a.m. each morning, Monday to Friday, and closes at 4.30 p.m. The Chapel will not be open on Saturdays and Sundays, as we encourage people to pray and worship in their own parishes on Sundays.

However the real value of the Bookshop is that it provides an attraction to many of the public who might otherwise never think of going to a Chapel, or seeking information or advice regarding some area of personal or pastoral need.

The simple act of browsing through the Bookshop, whether purchasing or not, may well provide for some people a most effective link with a friendly volunteer who may provide a listening ear, or some helpful direction as to where appropriate assistance or care might be found.