Here for Good: A full-circle journey with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish
This year marks 25 years since the opening of the John Worner Centre at Lourdes Village in Port Macquarie, a lasting tribute to a man who was part of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish until his death in 2000.
As one of the Parish’s first lay ministers, John Worner was committed to helping others and played a significant role in expanding aged care provision across the region as both a treasurer and an accountant.
His contribution was recognised both locally and within the Catholic church when he was awarded the Order of Saint Gregory the Great for his outstanding service to the Parish. He also received a Community Senior Australian award in recognition of his dedication to the local region.
Today, his legacy lives on through the John Worner Centre, the John Worner Wing at St Agnes’ Site Residential Care and his family’s next generation.
John’s eldest son Tony now serves as leader of formation at St Agnes’, alongside wife Justine who leads the pastoral and spiritual care team.
It is a full-circle moment for Tony and Justine who, after many years of living and working across Australia and overseas, returned to Port Macquarie and St Agnes’ Catholic Parish in 2020 and now say they are ‘here for good’.
Resonating with the Parish’s promise to be Here for Good and with you for life, Tony and Justine reflected on the community’s connection and sense of belonging.
“It encapsulates our journey back here,” said Tony.
Tony’s connection to the Parish began in 1968 when his family moved to Port Macquarie. He attended St Joseph’s Convent School, now home to the Parish Administration Centre on Hay Street, before continuing his education at St Joseph’s Hastings Regional School, which was then located on the site now occupied by Kmart.
Both Tony and Justine built careers in education and ministry, travelling and working in communities across Australia. Their story first began in Woolgoolga, where Justine was a kindergarten teacher and Tony was serving as a priest.
After several years on different journeys, their paths crossed again when Justine returned to Port Macquarie to teach at St Joseph’s Primary School and Tony was visiting the area one weekend. The pair later married in 2001 and went on to raise three children while continuing their travels and work across the country, before making the decision to move back.
“Our faith means a lot to us, so we need to be somewhere that we can express that and be part of a community,” Tony said.
“We’ve always been involved in the church so having a job here, it’s perfect when you know you can live here, worship here and be involved here.”
Tony returned with his family to take up his current position with the Parish and has been here ever since.
“For us, it was like coming home,” said Justine.
“Tony’s mum spent time at Emmaus Home and now that’s where my office is.
“My dad moved down from up north into Emmaus Village and my mum needed care and didn’t want to be on her own, so she’s in Emmaus Home and they spend time together every day.
“It’s like we are all connected in lots of different ways.”
Reflecting on the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Tony likened their journey to that of the story’s protagonist, Santiago. After travelling far and wide, he and Justine discovered that what they valued most had been waiting where it all began.
Like for many people, Tony and Justine have found that St Agnes’ Catholic Parish has always been there, no matter where their journey has taken them.
As the John Worner Centre celebrates its 25th anniversary, it stands as a reminder of faith, service and a family legacy that continues today – reflecting the Parish’s promise to be Here for Good and with you for life.
Here for Good Back
