ST PAULS BOOK CENTRE

ST PAULS BOOK CENTRE, in the grounds of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane, is a point of contact with the Catholic Church for many people. People with no religious affiliation or Catholics who have been away from the Church for many years often feel uncomfortable knocking on the door of a presbytery or convent. They feel more comfortable entering a bookstore in the city, wandering around, looking at the books and posters and CDs, and eventually coming up to one of the two priests in the Centre, Fr Bruno Colombari or Fr Norman Pena, and saying hello.

CONVERSATIONS begin and gradually they start to share their stories. "Selling books is only a part of the ministry of St. Pauls Book Centre," said Fr Bruno. "We are here to listen to people, to offer hope and encouragement whenever we can. Sometimes a very small purchase, of a bereavement card, for instance, can be the occasion for someone to share a story of profound grief."

FR BRUNO commented that there is still a great interest in the Catholic Church and in religion in general. "Don't believe the reports that interest in the Church is waning," he said. "Nearly every day people come into our centre searching for meaning and for answers to questions in their lives and they are eager to hear what the Catholic Church has to say. "We are aware that our centre represents the face of the Church to many people. We try to be courteous and friendly, and we try to create an atmosphere that is joyful, welcoming and aesthetically attractive. We have beautiful Church music playing in the background. We are striving to say: this is the Church, a place of peace, joy and welcome."

ST PAULS BOOK CENTRE also has an important ecumenical focus. It is open to all people, and Fathers Bruno and Norman try to have available books of interest for everyone. "We are delighted to welcome people from all Christian denominations," Fr Bruno added. Sunday is a popular day for families to visit the centre. Besides books, there are CDs, music tapes, videos, posters and cards suited to people of all ages.

FR NORMAN spoke about the book centre's outreach program. "Not only do we invite people to visit our bookstore," he said, "but we take the bookstore to them through exhibits in parishes on Sundays. It is a good way to reach people and let them know about the centre. Many come into our store later and say, 'we saw you when you visited our parish'." "The telephone, post and E-mail are also important means through which we reach people unable to visit the centre", Fr Norman added. He regularly prepares information about titles of interest.

NEXT month the St. Pauls Book Centre in Brisbane will celebrate its first anniversary. Fr Bruno expressed his satisfaction with the first year, his only regrets being the high cost of some imported books and the occasional difficulties involved in getting copies of a particular book from overseas, problems which are, unfortunately, beyond his control.