The Daymar community will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes with a special Golden Jubilee Mass on July 12 from 11a.m.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church was the third of three country churches built in the Goondiwindi Parish in the 1950s.

Weengallon was the first opened in 1955, followed by Talwood in 1956.

Built at the instigation of Fr Tom McCormack, the parish priest of Goondiwindi from 1949 to 1960, Daymar was officially opened on July 13, 1958, by Monsignor Michael McKenna, who was the then Vicar General from Toowoomba.

Fr McCormack, a colourful character who is well remembered for his sheepdog trialling skills, was a man of vision and determination.

It being a dry time, it was initially thought that taking on the debt of a new church was a bad idea.

Fr Tom was sure that Our Lady would look after the church and pressed on with his plan.

His faith was not in vain, for rain came and the church was built.

In his mission to build the church Fr McCormack was ably assisted by locals, Jack and Rose Brosnan and their family.

Rose’s crochet skills are well remembered and her work still adorns the church altar.

Both Jack and Rose worked tirelessly for their church during their lifetime. Still in use today, the church stands like a beacon to locals and travellers alike. Monthly mass is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. The Golden Jubilee Mass will be followed by lunch at the hall. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

For further details, contact Lila Brosnan on 4625 9196 or email wanolga@activ8.net.au; or Maureen Brosnan, 4625 9169.