Stars are scattered abundantly in the dome over the altar and etched in the glass windows leading to the nave. It is a gentle reminder that in ancient times the Chaldeans were astronomers. Their magnificent new church in Campbellfield is full of symbolism.

The Our Lady of Guardian of Plants Church replicates ancient Babylonian architecture and gives testimony to the seeds of Christian Faith which were planted by Saint Thomas the Apostle in the first century in what is now northern Iraq. Fr Khalid Marogi shared that the early Chaldean Christians prayed to Our Lady to protect their crops (plants) and to ward off starvation. The prayer of present day Chaldeans who sought religious freedom in Australia is to protect the Faith which has been transplanted to their new home. For them this church has become a haven of peace.

The striking exterior colours of earth brown and sky blue connect the faithful on earth to God in heaven. The altar is designed in the shape of a growing tree with the birds of

heaven on its branches. It is an artistic expression of the Kingdom of God as portrayed by Jesus in the parable of the mustard seed. The huge paintings of the Stations of the Cross emphasise the enormity of Christ’s passion.

For the 8000 members of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Melbourne finally having a permanent church to replace their rented hall is a dream come true and the culmination of years of planning and fundraising. Your investment with CDF was an important component of this project.

There is a popularly held opinion that the three Wise Men were Chaldean. So it is at Christmas that we think of the Chaldeans seeking peace, bringing gifts and following their star to far away Australia.