St Agnes’ Catholic Parish and Agostina’s Fine Food have come together to establish a new café within St Agnes Village in Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie.

St Agostina café was officially opened and blessed by Parish Priest Father Paul Gooley on Thursday 16 July.

“The idea of a café in this location originated from feedback from residents of St Agnes Village and Lourdes Village late last year,” St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer said.

“When the café closed at a nearby medical centre late last year, local residents from St Agnes Village and Lourdes Village were enthusiastic about the Parish providing a similar service. It was an opportunity for us to add a service for our residents and the local community that brought people together,” Mr Spencer said.

“Once we committed to the project, we looked to collaborate with someone who knew the café business well and Agostina’s Fine Fast Food was a logical choice.”
With over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, Aaron Rae and Marissa Bennett established Agostina’s Fine Fast Food in 2017. Their focus is on great food that is good for you without compromising flavour.

Open Monday to Friday 7am-3pm, Saturdays from 8am-2pm and Sundays 8am-12pm, St Agostina Café will offer breakfast, morning tea, lunch and take home dinners to customers.

Mr Spencer says the collaboration could have been predetermined given the story behind Saint Agostina.

“There is a great synergy in the work we do at the Parish and with the work of Saint Agostina. Saint Agostina is the patron saint of nurses, having been a nurse herself in an Italian hospital in the late 1800s. She was true to her faith in the face of adversity and was dedicated to caring for those in need.”
“Caring for those in need is a key part of the mission of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish and what better way to symbolise that than through the naming of St Agostina cafè.”
“The café is perfectly positioned between Lighthouse Beach and the CBD so people can enjoy a coffee or a meal on the deck overlooking beautiful surroundings,” he concluded.

Open for business: Aaron Rae and Marissa Bennett with Parish Priest Fr Paul Gooley and St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer at the official opening.