Sr Mary Julian McKie RSM

1 February 1932 – 13 July 2020

Saddened by the death of Sr M Julian McKie on Monday 13 July 2020 at Bethany Nursing Home, the Sisters of Mercy gathered for a Vigil of Prayer on Wednesday evening, 15 July at Stoneleigh, The Range. The Sisters were joined by Bernice Taylor and Kathleen Thompson, both from Mackay, who are younger sisters of Sr M Julian.

The Rite of Committal was held at the Memorial Gardens, Nerimbera, on Tuesday 21 July 2020. Family members, close friends and former music pupils gathered with the Sisters to honour Sr M Julian in a very fitting and prayerful liturgy.  May the strong and faith-filled spirit of Sr M Julian rest in peace.  

Biographical details                                                 

Elaine Mary McKie was born in Sarina on 1 February 1932 to William and Mary McKie (Fitzgerald).  The McKies were a cane-farming family and Elaine was the eldest child, a sister to Billy, Robert (dec’d), Bernice, Kathleen and Michael. Initially, Elaine attended the near-by Swayneville State School, then St Anne’s School in Sarina before boarding at the Range College for secondary schooling.

Following a year at the Juniorate, Elaine entered the Rockhampton Sisters of Mercy on 2 February 1950, with Sr Betty Attard, joining Sr Mary Stallard who had entered earlier that year. On 22 August 1950, Elaine was received as Sr Mary Julian and was professed on 23 January 1953 together with Srs Mary Stallard, Betty Attard, Mary Geraldine Gregory and Mary Carmel Hynes. Julian chose the motto:

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee

As both a registered class-room teacher and accredited music teacher, Julian taught at St Patrick’s, R’ton 1952-1953), South Mackay (1954), Habana (1955-1956), St Theresa’s School, R’ton (1957-1968) and the Range College (1972-1974). Julian combined her Community Leader responsibilities with teaching music at South Bundaberg (1969-1971), Chanel College, Gladstone (1975-1978) and again at the Range College (1979-1986).

Throughout these years, Julian attained pianoforte qualifications, including A Mus A (Teacher & Performer), ATCL (Teacher) and L Mus A (Teacher). Julian was elected to the Congregation’s Leadership Team 1987-1991 and once again, she carried out her responsibilities while continuing to teach music part time and leading the Kenmore community (1987-1998). In later 1998, with the completion of The Range Village, Julian moved to Units 5 & 6 with Srs M Cecily Doyle, Laurentia Mulvey and Francesca McGuire and once again, taught piano to pupils after school.

In 2012, after experiencing health problems, Julian moved to Loreto Convent, then to McAuley Place in July 2015. In need of more care, Julian went to Bethany Home in December 2019 where she died peacefully on 13 July 2020.

Words of Remembrance

SISTER MARY JULIAN McKIE RSM

It is my privilege today to share some memories and reflections on the life of Sister Mary Julian.  Elaine McKie was born in Sarina on the 1^st February 1932, to William and Mary McKie.

She was the first of six children and was followed by Billie, Bobbie, Berneice, Kathleen and Michael. In her own words she speaks of growing up in the bush on a sugar cane farm.  As a result she cherished space, silence and nature.  Some months before her death she shared with me some memories of her early life, among them playing down at the creek all week-end, making houses out of palm leaves with her brothers Billie and Bobbie.  Berneice, Kathleen and Michael came along later and were not a part of this time.

Because she was the eldest she helped in the mothering of her younger brothers and sisters and she felt very responsible even back then. She has continued to feel responsible for her siblings and their families all through her life. She says that she had a fear that something would happen to them if she did not look after them.  An image that comes to me is that of a mother hen wanting to protect her chicks by gathering them under her wings to keep them safe.  This protective attitude also flowed over to those she loved and cared for in her life as a Sister of Mercy.  I believe it also influenced her leadership style in the years when she was Superior of a number of communities and also participated as a member of the Leadership Team.

Julian told me of going to school on the loco in the crushing season – her dad would take her to the siding and put her on the loco to get to school. Her dad drove her to school in the times when the loco was not operating. She began school at the Swayneville State School and remained there until the time when she was old enough to make her first Holy Communion.  At this time, her schooling moved to St Anne’s Convent at Sarina.  She always liked school.  Sr Clotilde taught her at the Convent and Julian loved her.  She credits Clotilde for sowing the seed of her vocation which she followed later.  Following her primary education in Sarina, she went to the Range for secondary school and did commercial studies as a boarder.  From the Range she went to the Juniorate for one year and then entered shortly after that.

She describes the Juniorate as a ton of joy!!  Sr Laurentia was in charge and Sr Betty was at the Juniorate with her – they were the only two of the group to enter the Novitiate which they did on the same day. When Laurentia was out Betty would get on the piano and play pop music and they would have a ton of fun while the going was good.  Her sense of fun was evident way back then.

The arrangement with her parents had been that she would go to the Juniorate for one year and then have two years at home before making her decision. By the end of the Juniorate year she had made up her mind that she wanted to enter and had to battle with her parents – particularly her mother – to be given the permission to enter straight away.  Her mum felt that she was still young and had been away from home for some time between boarding school and the juniorate and needed time with the family and a different experience before making her decision. With her persistence her mum gave in and Julian entered with Betty on 2^nd February 1950.

Thus began the next phase of her life – that of a Sister of Mercy. Mother Borgia was her Novice Mistress and Julian attributes to her a strong foundation that was to stand by her and carry her through, particularly in the more difficult times – of which Julian has experienced her fair share in her lifetime.  Music was in Julian’s blood and having begun to learn from Sr M Leo while she was at St Anne’s Sarina. Sr Cecily continued to tutor her enabling her to gain her letters in Music – both A Mus A and Trinity College.  This was the start of a really deep and lasting friendship – one that was a great support to her all through her life particularly during difficult times.

Teaching and music were to be Julian’s formal form of sharing her gift in ministry, and many are the students who have been enriched, and developed a love of music under her influence.   Music continued to be an important part of her life even after she ceased teaching. For Julian music deepened her conception of the beauty of God and has been a great source of comfort and prayer for her in her recent time of ill health.  It played a pivotal role in enabling her to accept her wheelie walker as her constant companion, before even this ability was taken from her.  Those of us who understand the speed at which Julian usually moved, will have a greater understanding of the cost for her, of this loss in her life.    I believe that she has been quite amazing in the way she has coped with the loss of mobility and a sense of independence in her life.  Even though initially, as I am sure we all do, she struggled to accept and let go of what was no longer possible for her, when she got to it, her acceptance was total.  She never put on to others what was hers in the way of struggle and pain, but showed a bright, cheery, grateful and often joking presence to those who cared for her.  She always made sure to learn the names of the staff who cared for her and always showed gratitude to them for their care.  They in return loved her which was so evident in her final days at Bethany.  A sense of being grateful was indeed a large part of who Julian was. 

Long before her bout of failing health in more recent years Julian had known illness and had suffered much even as a child and a young woman.  Out of this has developed a very caring nature and an empathy with those who suffer ill health.  Visiting our sick sisters had always been an important commitment for her.   

There was a constancy and faithfulness about Julian – once she committed to something or someone, she gave her whole self to it.  She never forgot a kindness – if you were kind to Julian, you were a friend for life and there were no bounds to her generosity of spirit. I think we all experienced something of this in her care of Cecily who I am sure is smiling down on us today. 

So Julian we thank you for the melody of your life and for the gift that you have been to all whose lives you have touched.  May you rest in peace, in the arms of the beloved whom you have loved so much. 

Sr Grace Bartolo RSM

15 July 2020

The following thanks was received from the Master of one of the ships that recently visited Mackay.  While the ship was in port, the staff and volunteers of The Seafarers Centre were able to distribute welfare packs to the seafarers onboard.

All the crew on Alpine Madeleine would like to thank you for the care packages, which will be very helpful to us on board.

In this horrible situation, it is heartening to know that there are still people ashore who care for seafarers well being.

All of us on board were touched by the thought and care that went into the care packages.

We hope that the next time vessel visits Mackay, the situation worldwide would have been resolved and we will be able to thank you in person.

Wishing you and your families the best of health.

Peter Cahill, the director of the Stella Maris Seafarers Centre here describes their work of service and how they have adapted under the Covid-19 restrictions.

Church Remembers Seafarers

Stella Maris Seafarers Centre in Mackay is the Catholic Church’s missionary work to seafarers whether they be on merchant, passenger or fishing vessels. The Mackay’s Seafarers Centre has been caring for the spiritual, social and material welfare of all seafarers without distinction of colour, race or creed since it was built in 1995.

Like most of the world, the Centre Manager, Peter Cahill, had to close the doors of the ministry on 20th March 2020. Peter said for seafarers worldwide, this situation has been devastating and taken a real mental toll. He says there are over, ‘100,000 seafarers worldwide that don’t have a contract. Their contracts are expired, but they are still working on their ships because they cannot come ashore and so cannot get back to their families. Even if they could come ashore, they can’t fly home.’

Under normal conditions, the centre offers a safe family-based environment for quality shore time. The centre is set up with free Wi-Fi for seafarers to contact families and loved ones while they are ashore; they have a pool table, book exchange, a souvenir shop, prepaid phone cards and recharge cards as well as money exchange facilities, a bar, TV and second-hand clothes store. They also facilitate hospital visits for any that have taken ill en route to this part of the world.

The good news is that since restrictions have eased and under appropriate conditions, Peter has been able to have some volunteers and centre’s drivers come back and start packaging and delivering ‘Crew Welfare Packs’. They have filled these packs with what the seafarers would buy if they came to shore: writing pad and pen, razor, socks, toothbrush, shampoo, a bag of sweets of some descriptions, etc.

Peter remarked, ‘these packs speak volumes to them that someone is thinking of them, they are not by themselves, and they are not forgotten’.

The efforts of Peter’s team and its impacts can be seen when you read one of the many recent messages from those who have received their packs:

“On behalf of all the crew on board, I would like to thank Stella Maris for the kind gesture shown by them by sending essential kits for all the 21 crew members on board. Appreciate their efforts for caring about the seafarers in the current difficult situation faced worldwide.”

Delivery to the crew MV Aom Gaia – Hay Point

Apostleship of the Sea National Director, Roslyn Rajasingam said while the economy has slowed down in a number of areas due to COVID-19, the international movement of goods has largely continued.

“Many of the essential items that have helped Australia work its way through various stages of the pandemic so far are products that arrived here by sea,” she said.

“Many working on the seas haven’t been able to set foot on dry land for months, and that situation could extend for another 12 to 18 months. Our centres are trying to ensure those men and women feel our love and our prayers.”

The Catholic Church in Australia marks Sea Sunday on July 12, when parishes typically take up special collections for the ministry to seafarers on that day.  That hasn’t been able to happen because of COVID-19 restrictions.   If you wish to support this important service of our Church please consider an online donation.

Visit the Apostleship of the Sea Australia website for more details and to donate.

Alternatively, to donate for the welfare packs you can contact Stella Maris, Mackay on 4943 4038.

St Brigid's Rosary Group (Longreach) have purchased a modest, but beautiful, statue of Saint Joseph that is now displayed in the Church.  Previously when they had novenas to Saint Joseph they would lament the absence of an image of him in their Church and so decided to do something about this.  After much consideration, the Parish Pastoral Council agreed to its presence in the Church and it is now installed.

A very special thank you must go to both the small group of ladies who gather for Rosary, and also the generous local building contractor and hardware supplier who donated the materials along with the time and talents of himself and his staff to install the statue.  When asked 'What material would you like the shelf to be made from?', a rosary group member replied 'Well, silky oak like the pews would be nice'.  She was advised that it might be necessary to lower her expectations a little!  But low and behold, the men managed to source an appropriately sized piece of silky oak and carefully shaped it for the space available.

The statue was officially unveiled at Mass on Wednesday 15 July and I'm sure it will be another focal point of reverence for many generations to come.

Loretta McKeering

With churches reopening to larger numbers, it has been a joyous time to reconnect with our Lord especially with reception of the Eucharist. Fathers Andrew and Simeon along with parishioners, have worked hard to ensure all mass centres were able to celebrate Eucharist within guidelines. Eventbrite has proved to be an effective registration system for us here in Gladstone. It was a welcomed reprieve for the priests and parishioners to have the congregation present.

Some photos of reopening mass with Covid Set up and cleaning team…

Adult Formation - Genesis to Jesus

Parishioners are able to access this wonderful Adult Faith study - a special faith journey from Genesis to Jesus. The newest Journey through Scripture video bible study, streamed from St. Paul Centre, US. is a 6 week course to learn the basic Catholic principles for reading scripture.

A great opportunity for parishioners to gather and play scripture-based trivia. This works well for families with little ones who cannot get out at night and allows people to tap in wherever they may be located. The night is run once a month. We look forward to continuing this and other versions like it post COVID.

Mercy Associates

Mercy Associates are meeting again on Saturdays after an anointing mass. This week they will be able to share their experiences of COVID and what they have learned.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Gladstone resumes in August open to all family members. Focussing on plans for our young people in the parish as part of their ministry

Children's Liturgy

Children’s liturgy is being pre filmed on YouTube and can be accessed anytime. Along with the short video about the Sunday readings, colour in and family resources are provided attached in the weekly emails from Father Andrew.

Bernadette Ariens 

Opening the doors

As a Parish it was great to learn that Mass (Summit and Source) would once again start to be celebrated. Listening to comments when Father Bryan announced the "doors are opened" - Will people return? How will I feel? Should I get a ticket or leave to someone else – I do not want to be greedy?

As a member of the Parish community it was fabulous to hear: “It was as if we never left”

Numbers were restricted in the beginning but currently 100 members of communities can attend Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral.

The smaller communities within our Parish: St Paul’s, Gracemere and Sacred Heart, Mt Morgan celebrate Mass each weekend with less numbers owing to Social Distancing requirements.

Baptisms:

The parish is endeavoring to ensure all families who had requested Baptism for their child/ren prior to COVID-19 will be celebrated.   Again, the generosity and understanding of the families is another example of “we are all in this together”.

Unprecedented times yes – however, as a parish Mother Teresa’s saying:

“What you can do I cannot do,

What I can do you cannot do,

Together we can do something beautiful for God”.

is being lived …from little things big things grow.

Margaret Hallinan

Equine Therapy Program - Emmaus College

Emmaus College, North Rockhampton has recently commenced an Equine Therapy Program. The five-week program entails students working in small groups with a miniature or small horse to increase self-awareness, promote self-esteem and enhance social skills. Students develop these skills by making connections between horse behaviour and human behaviour.

Student feedback to the experience of the program has been very positive.

“I learnt about respecting their personal spaces and not to let them get away with their attitude,” Bella said.

“They are a lot stronger than I thought. I learnt how to manage the behaviour and how to respect their personal space,” Shonte said in reflection of last week’s session. “I found it relaxing and enjoyable just being near them.”

Handling these horses provides opportunities for challenge and problem solving and can assist students to increase their resilience and build confidence.  This program was developed by Seneya Thomas and run by Leticia Hart from El-Jay Horse Stud Rides & Drives.

St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton

On Tuesday 14 July, Bishop Michael celebrated the 2020 NAIDOC Week Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton. Bishop Michael was joined by Fr Bryan Hanifin, Vicar General, priests from throughout the diocese, along with representatives from the Catholic Education Office and the four Catholic Colleges of the Rockhampton Region – Emmaus College, The Cathedral College, St Brendan’s College and St Ursula’s College.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, numbers were unfortunately limited as traditionally, the mass attracts a much larger audience, with Catholic primary schools gathering, along with Elders and members of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. A similar mass is held in Mackay each year but unfortunately had to be cancelled this year.

Despite the fewer numbers at St Joseph’s Cathedral, the mass was able to reach a much larger audience than previous years. Parishioners from across the diocese and beyond, along with schools and colleges, were able to participate in the mass via live stream.

At Holy Spirit, Mackay

With official national NAIDOC Week events being postponed until later this year, many schools, workplaces and communities are still choosing to celebrate the week at its usual time. NAIDOC Week is historically a week for all of Australia to celebrate and acknowledge the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but by all Australians from all walks of life.

The 2020 NAIDOC Week theme is “Always Was, Always Will Be” and serves as a reminder that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this country for over 60,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will always be spiritually and culturally connected to this country.

In welcoming all to the mass, Brad Jarro, Indigenous Education Coordinator, said it was pleasing that more and more non-Indigenous Australians are joining in NAIDOC Week celebrations each year and recognising and respecting the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and spiritualities. He commended the many schools and colleges throughout the diocese on their efforts to educate all students about these and encouraged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students to continue to show pride in being part of one of the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

Marist College, Emerald

The Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton remains committed to bringing about reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples of Australia. The NAIDOC Week masses in Rockhampton and Mackay are wonderful celebrations of this each year and we all look forward to gathering once again in 2021.

Beanie for Brain Cancer honouring student memory

Holy Spirit College, Mackay, is honouring past-student, Nikki Atherton, by supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation’s Beanie for Brain Cancer. One person every five hours is diagnosed with brain cancer in Australia. Brain cancer also kills more children than any other disease in our country.

In 2012, House Leader, Nikki Atherton, graduated from Holy Spirit College. In 2017, Nikki tragically lost her life to brain cancer. In honour of Nikki, Holy Spirit College staff have raised money by supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation’s fundraiser, 'Beanie for Brain Cancer'.

One of Nikki’s teachers, Mr Anton Mayer-Miller, states “We are proud to support this fundraising initiative as it is close to our hearts at Holy Spirit College. Each year, Nikki’s mum, Mandy Atherton, sells beanies on behalf of the Foundation. All proceeds go towards research, awareness and support of brain cancer patients and their families.”

If you would like to buy a beanie and support this worthy cause, please contact Mandy at Explore Property Mackay, 4898 1909.

Maters across the State unite under one Banner

A new era for Catholic Healthcare in this Diocese dawned on Wednesday 1 July. On that day the Mater Private Hospitals at Rockhampton, Mackay and Bundaberg came together with Maters in South-East and North Queensland to legally merge as one entity. This merger makes Mater the state’s largest not-for-profit healthcare provider.

The bringing together of Mater Ministries in Queensland under one Mission will be of significant benefit to the communities that our Maters currently serve by providing these communities with greater access to statewide expertise and services. This can only further enhance the wonderful tradition of quality, compassionate healthcare services that Maters in our Diocese have been delivering since the Mater Rockhampton opened its doors in 1915.

Mater Health Regional Executive Director, Gerard Wyvill, said the future of Mater in Queensland was positive, with capacity for greater service delivery only continuing to grow across the state.

“We are moving confidently into our future to become Queensland’s largest not-for-profit healthcare network,” Mr Wyvill said.

“Our collaboration creates a network of hospitals, and integrates our shared expertise and capabilities across healthcare, education and research so we can to continue to serve our communities with best practice, contemporary healthcare.  

“This new chapter in the Mater story will proceed with the integrity of our heritage and our long-standing Mater values, based on compassionate service and patient-centred care.”

Mater CEO, Dr Peter Steer, said that Mater was deeply proud of its heritage and cognisant of its responsibilities to honour the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy as Mater Ministries came together with one Mission to serve communities across the state. 

A Prayer Ritual was held at Mater Ministry sites across the State at 11am on Wednesday 1 July to mark this significant milestone in the history of Mercy Healthcare in Queensland.

After this Prayer Ritual, a Bringing Mater Together Cake was cut and staff received a gift of a Mater lapel pin as a memento of this historic occasion.