Sr Josephine Zarb of the Francisan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus entered eternal life on the 4th October, 2020.  She had served across the Diocese of Rockhampton in various ways but especially in nursing, pastoral care and offering Religious Education in State Schools.  The Mass of Thanksgiving for her life was held at St Francis Xavier Church, West Mackay on the 9th October.  We offer our condolences to her family, her religious community and her many friends who celebrate and grieve her passing. 

Homily

Since becoming your Bishop in 2014, I have been reading and listening to the rich history of the Diocese. The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus came to this city on Pentecost Sunday 6^th June 1954, 66 years ago. It was at the invitation of Bishop Tynan to Archbishop Michael Gonzi, Archbishop of Malta. Under the leadership of Mother Amelia, the elderly and sick residents of this city were entrusted to her and the Sisters’ care.

On their arrival from the airport, a 100-car cavalcade and 1000 people lining Holland Street, welcomed the sisters into their new home, St Francis Xavier Church.

66 years later, the sisters have expanded their apostolate to Dupuy Street and offer the elderly Catholic residents of this city a place of respite and loving care, now under the leadership of Sister Pauline who has built on the foundations laid by Mother Amelia.

This year, the Sisters celebrated 140 years since the foundation of their congregation, and we celebrate with them and thank God for their religious apostolate.

The Sisters expanded their apostolate to Rockhampton and supported my predecessors at Bishop’s House until a few years back.

Today, we honour all the Sisters as they say farewell to Sr Josephine.

Josephine was born in Malta nearly 85 years ago, at the biblical and geographical site of St Paul’s Bay, and arrived in Australia at the age of 14 years with her family. After school, her love of people through the healing ministry of nursing began her long association with the Sisters of Mercy after joining them at age 23 years. Graduating as a Registered Nurse at 40 years of age, her skills led her into the technical side of medicine through pathological analysis. Her devotion to aging parents offered the opportunity to reconnect with Mackay and to continue her love for caring for the aged and sick here at Francis of Assisi Home where she has ministered until her retirement and her passing.

Sister Josephine will always be known for her warm and loving smile, even during these twilight years.  We say farewell to her today and entrust her into the arms of her loving God.

In the scriptures today, St Paul reflects – I have run the race and the full distance, and I have kept the faith and there is a prize waiting for me…Christ Jesus waiting. This is the faith that we look on today and marvel, as this religious, this faithful and loving servant of God has now finished the race.  The simplicity of this reading…waiting on the Lord.

We honour Sr Josephine’s 62 years of committed religious life, the precious life lived in faithfulness, her whole - devoted to God and to God’s people in love as a Religious Sister, of being mercy stepped in the love pulsating from the heart of Jesus. Now, within the heart of Jesus and mercy forever, caught up in the resurrected Jesus as Jesus points the way by assuring the timid disciple; “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

Most Rev Michael McCarthy, Bishop of Rockhampton

Eulogy 

Josephine Mary Zarb was born on the 23rd of December, 1935 at Limbordine, St Paul’s Bay, Malta.  Josephine was 14 years of age when she arrived in Australia from Malta with her family, Vince and Angela and her seven siblings.  Two other siblings were born in Australia.

Josephine was the eldest of ten children.  She made her First Communion and Confirmation at St Paul’s Bay Church.  She attended school at St Paul’s Bay prior to migrating to this beautiful country, Australia.  Josephine was totally devoted to her family and being the eldest of a large family was a of constant assistance to Mum and Dad.  She learnt the skills of sewing, making all our school uniforms and all the other necessary sewing for the family.  I must admit that the school uniforms were of a generous size, however, we were assured that we would grow into them. 

Josephine worked at the Mater Hospital, Mackay until she joined the Sisters of Mercy in Rockhampton in 1958.  She commenced her Nursing Training at the Mater Hospital, Bundaberg and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1975. During this time in Bundaberg, she worked in the Pathology Department for many years.

Josephine received permission to leave the Mercy Convent to devote her time to Mum and Dad once again.  During this time, she worked at Sarina Clinic as a Registered Nurse and she also taught Religious Education at the State Schools. 

Her desire was always to join the Franciscan Sisters however, they did not have a novitiate in Australia so eventually she received permission to go to Malta to join the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In 1986 to 1989, Josephine worked with the sisters in Adelaide. Her Perpetual Profession with the Franciscan Sisters was eventually held in St Michael’s Church, Sarina, in 1995. 

Josephine nursed at St Francis of Assisi Home throughout the nursing complex.  She also worked as a Pastoral Carer and continued to conduct Religion Classes in State Schools in Mackay.  Josephine was also asked to help with the dying.  Staff and relatives commented that her presence was a gift and comfort to those on their last journey of life.

Carmel Watson, sister of Josephine.

Beginning of the Letter from the Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

Most Reverend Bishop Michael, Priests, Sisters, family members, relatives and friends of Sr Josephine.

On October 4, 2020, around the world, Franciscan Friars, Sisters, Seculars and people who love St. Francis of Assisi gathered to celebrate the life of our Father St. Francis. Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of our dear Sister Josephine Zarb, a Franciscan Sister of the Heart of Jesus, who left this world on October 4, the feast day of our Patron Saint. St. Francis saw Sister Death as a natural part of life through which we continue our life with God and we too are sure that Sr. Josephine is continuing her life with God whom she loved and served while here on earth. Jesus, her Spouse, whom she loved and served in the sick and elderly must have said to her, “Come my spouse, my beloved and receive the crown prepared for you since eternity”.

Mother General's Message on the passing of Sr. Josephine

Mother General's Message on the passing of Sr Josephine.pdf 86.80 KB

For the full letter, please click the link. 

My name is Ashwin Emmanuel Acharya. I was born in Canberra on 22^nd October 1991, the youngest in a family of four: my father Raj, mother Angela, and brother Rajat (four years my senior). By 1996 the Acharyas had come to Yeppoon. There, I enjoyed a happy childhood full of fun and friendships.

Our family always had a wholesome rhythm of prayer and worship: each day commenced and concluded in prayer; mealtimes always began with grace; and worshipping at Sunday Mass was as certain as the rising of the sun. We belonged to the Sacred Heart Parish of Yeppoon, where Fr Bryan Hanifin was our parish priest.

I enjoyed serving at Mass as a child. I have happy memories and some lifelong friendships from my days at Sacred Heart Primary School. After Sacred Heart (and one year at St Anthony’s, Rockhampton), I joined my brother at St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon. My five years at SBC were precious and continue to be a consoling grace to draw on today.

After graduating in 2008, I had some prominent gifts which shaped the years which followed: I had become a proficient boxer, a budding singer-songwriter, and I decided to remain involved with the Sacred Heart Parish community and some of its outreach ministries, such as the St Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference in Yeppoon. I also commenced a Bachelor of Learning Management for Primary Education at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, having been inspired by my mother Angela. Eventually I was offered a job at St Ursula’s College, a part time contract in Campus Ministry and a part time contract to teach Mathematics. This was a special grace to have received. It was an enjoyable, but also challenging, time. As the next 18 months passed, it became clear that my energy was more naturally put into ministry rather than to teaching in the classroom.

As fate would have it, I experienced a call to the Priesthood while on the job, supervising children at an ACTS camp and overhearing the presenter speak about his job with Vocation Brisbane. Frs Noel Milner and Raj Kodavatikanti were there at the time. From here on, all my energies and intentions – whether musical, faith, career or otherwise – seemed to find a singular focus: boxing somehow lent itself to ministry with young people; music was used to advocate and to raise funds for Vinnies or for Drought Relief in the Far West of our Diocese; my involvement in the Parish and in the St Ursula’s community became a seamless work for God. My diligent discernment of the Priesthood happened quite quickly – within about six months, meeting Brisbane Vocations Director Fr Morgan Batt and becoming a part of the Canali House programme alongside a handful of other discerners. I was greatly supported from the outset by Bishop Michael, and by the whole Diocesan family who progressively became aware and involved in my journey to the Seminary.

Left to right is me, Francis Fernandes (Brisbane), Fr Frank Jones (Vice Rector),
Brian Redondo (Toowoomba), Jack Ho (Brisbane) William Leo Aupito-Iuliano (Brisbane)

The Seminary has been a tremendous space of learning who I am and who we are in light of our God’s unfathomable love for each of us – a learning which is in no way exhaustive but which will continue from here ever after. My experience at the Seminary has seemed to be a kind of microcosm of an entire life. As strange as it may sound, I feel as though after entering the Seminary at 22 years of age, I journeyed from a kind of infancy through a recalcitrant adolescence and a disenchanted mid-life to, finally, a kind of aged wisdom, and all in the space of six years! I recently celebrated my 29^th birthday… feeling a little bit like an old man, at least in comparison to when I entered. Obviously, I will be the youngest in the Rockhampton Presbyterate for the time being. In any case, the formative years at Holy Spirit Seminary have been a wonderful gift, and I am thankful for everything, not least of all the immense generousity of our formators, and also for the deep friendships which developed between seminarians, especially my own classmates, Francis, Will, and Jack, and also Peter Doherty, currently in the Discipleship Phase of his Seminary journey. I thank God that he and I had this year to enjoy as brother seminarians, before the lifetime we look forward to as brother priests in Rockhampton.

My own family continues their journey in God’s grace, too. My parents continue their careers in Yeppoon, and my brother, now happily married with a wife and two little girls, diligently furthers his own career, vocation and mission in the field of Philosophy. I love my family very much, each member particularly for the ways in which they unknowingly glorify God, for who they are and for the love that they continue to shower on me. I am extremely proud and humbled to be an Acharya.

My hopes and aspirations for the future are simple: I want fruitfulness and peace in the lives of all God’s people, myself included. And I hope that I can support many in their journeys of faith, to experience this more and more. I have become sceptical of any “silver bullets” in the church which promise to solve all our problems. I don’t think there is any such thing. Rather, I feel that God has lavished us His beloved children with countless gifts of infinite merit, and we are called to put these to the service of the Gospel forever and always, and thus be made fruitful branches on the Vine that is Christ the Lord. I am excited by the thought of doing this for the rest of my life with you.

At some point, this has to hit you: the God who created, ordered and sustains the whole cosmos, the God “in whom we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), loves us with all of the awesome and terrible power that is implied by being God. What can our response to this be, if not only to fall into that love? I can’t think of anything else.

Ashwin Acharya

www.facebook.com/ashwineacharya 

It has been challenging coming back to parish life, which I enjoy so much, after some months of full-time study. That study has been transformed by COVID-19 as it continues online with lectures streamed from Rome to places all over the world. One effect of the pandemic on parish life is obvious: the slow but steady pace of return of our faithful people to the celebration of the Eucharist. In some places it is reported to be slower than others. Like online study, the digital experience of online celebrations of the sacrament which binds us together as a church can be a good experience, but it has its limits, as nothing quite seems the same as personal interaction with others.

Recently, I have returned to the practice of setting aside one day in the week for visiting parishioners who are unable to come to Mass. Most of them watch Mass online but they also await my visit which usually includes ministering Holy Communion. The digital experience of online Mass and the sacramental experience of receiving Holy Communion complement each other. That is good for those who I know to visit, but at this time, many of our parishes are recalling stories of people who are not coming back; people who have been forgotten or overlooked in the pandemic. There has never been a more important time for us to try to reconnect people with their communities of faith, but of course it must be done in accordance with safeguarding and privacy policies, workplace health and safety regulations and in a COVID safe way.

Pastoral visitation has been an important part of the life of our church. As a priest it has been a regular part of my ministry, but I cannot visit everyone, nor do I have the knowledge of everyone who needs a visit. I rely heavily on parish “intelligence.” In this time of the pandemic, we may have noticed a need to find people and reconnect with them and to encourage people who may be a little slow to return to their active part in the parish.

There are many ways we can reach each other in this pandemic. A simple phone call or email may be all that is needed to offer others a presence of their faith community in this COVID era. It might be followed up with a suggestion to catch up over morning tea or to drop in the parish bulletin along as way of letting people know that our parishes are returning to life again. Upon finding someone who would like a visit from his or her local priest or a parish representative, it is so important to make sure that information is passed on. Many in our parishes have been doing that so well and with such great charity over recent months. We are a sacramental church, and our physical presence embodies Christ and his gospel. We can be the presence of Christ for others in simple actions that help us to reconnect. The significance of such outreach at one of the most challenging times in the lives of most of us should be forgotten.

Fr Don White,
Parish Priest,
Parishes of the Mackay Southern Cluster

With Bishop Michael, the Clergy of the Diocese, Religious and Parishioners who were able to attend, gathered on Monday the 15^th of October for the Mass of the Holy Oils. This was postponed from before Easter due to the pandemic. Telecast to the Diocese and beyond via ‘livestreaming’ it began our days of formation, reflection and listening the presenters with their expertise. It was a time also to share a meal and catch up for those who gathered. 

The Monday afternoon was an opportunity to meet and spend time with the Bishop’s House and Diocesan staff who support our parishes, clergy and pastoral leaders. Putting names to faces and sharing some time together was invaluable for all. Then, Nathan Harding who began in the Diocese the week after lock down and has been working hard as the Communications Officer gathering and supporting with media, shared ways of outreach during this time. Kate Moore as part of the Child Protection Office of the Diocese along with Judy Pidcock continued with sharing the importance and ongoing care and ways of protecting children and vulnerable adults. Deanna Beatson joined us and will help guide and put together the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan, and spoke to us about these opportunities into the future. It was a busy Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, our Director of Finance, Dean Smith along with Kristy Gear our Human Resources officer and Michael Otto the Vocations Director all shared the various topics of interest. The support given by all who are at Bishop’s House is an essential part of the supporting the mission of the church.

Each day the afternoon sessions were a composite of health professionals with various topics on personal and the wider public health issues that we all face and deal with. Caring for and looking after one’s health is critical and doctors, nurses, psychologists, specialised health professionals, all had input and were received positively over the days. Public health issues of: domestic violence, drug and alcohol use, cancer, mental health among many others were topics of input, discussion, and questions. Thanks go to the team lead by James Jenkins who is the Nursing Director, Division of Medicine, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, who organised the many speakers and medical advice for us.          

With the help of the Catholic Education Office, we were able to meet in the Kevin Castles Centre adjacent to their offices. The clergy from the diocese along with Sr Mary Farrelly from the Western Pastoral Ministry, Sr Carmel Boyle and Sr Colleen Livermore from Blackwater Parish, Sr Cecilia Prestashewsky from Woorabinda Parish also joined in the days. 

Along with the team who organised the days of in-service, thanks go to them for all the work involved not only in the planning (Judy Pidcock, Safeguarding; Kristy Gear HR; Joy Philippi, Pastoral Mission; and Terry Beaton, CLM) but those who also helped behind the scenes as well (Donna Mitchell, Shaun Pettit, Michael Otto and Alison Austin). During the days a meal was shared at ‘Giovanni’ by all and it was a great opportunity to relax and share in conversation and what has happened over these last months. Thanks, and we look forward to the next opportunity to spend time together.

Fr Matthew Moloney

Clergy Life & Ministry

Following protocol, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional owners of the lands that I live on, the Darumbal people, and I pay my respects to my Elders, past, present and emerging.

I’d like to thank the Most Reverend Michael McCarthy, Bishop of Rockhampton and his staff for welcoming and allowing myself to develop the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for the Diocese. I’d also like to acknowledge Caroline Willie, Brad Jarro and Phillippa Johnson for their wonderful support, and to the Elders who kindly gave their blessings on 28 September at the start of the project.

I see Reconciliation as an important process of sharing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and identity with the wider community. Through the RAP, we can build stronger relationships and better understanding by recognising and reflecting on past actions, make changes and move forward together.  We can learn, build respect and create opportunities, while practicing our Christian values and teachings.

To date I have been doing some research, had two information sessions, numerous phone calls and attended to emails and a number of meetings. I have a little way to go, but with your support, will finalise the RAP in March 2021.

I am in the process of setting up a working group with representatives from across the Diocese.  As part of our Catholic Diocese, your viewpoints are important and I would like to hear from you or if you would like further information,  I can be contacted on 0429706703 or via email at rap@rok.catholic.net.au. Monday and Tuesdays are my set working days.

Stay safe and be kind to one another.

Deanna Beatson

Rite of Reception

      Christian Taylor is confirmed                         Jodi & Cooper Herwig with Fr John

The Rite of Reception into Full Communion of the Catholic Church was celebrated for a number of candidates whose reception into the Church was cancelled and delayed from the Easter season. We all know the reason why! During this last week we have welcomed our baptised candidates into our Church through this rite. We welcomed Christian Taylor, Gail Norris, Miranda, Glen and Grayson Kirkland, and Jodi and Cooper Herwig. They were so excited to finally feel and smell the newly-blessed chrism and receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. I’m sure the gathered assemblies felt excited too to see this part of the sacramental life of the Church returning.

Farewell Raquel

It is with much sadness that we say “Goodbye” to Raquel, our quietly-efficient, powerhouse receptionist. Raquel has been with the Parish Team for not quite two years and in that time has made everyone who contacts the office feel welcomed, has done wonders with our Facebook and website pages, while at the same time studying with CQU for an Accounting degree. She’ll be greatly missed.

Chaos Reigns in Youth Groups

What’s happening in our Youth Groups? They continue to enjoy gathering each week to not only build relationships with each other but to find ways of building a relationship with the Father. Each week focusses on the Sunday gospel and last week the Chaos group of primary school children brightened up the centre with chalk messages, spreading a bit of love.

Anne Sheehan

Music Ministry Update 

Hi all,

It is with great pleasure, that I have been asked to share a little update about our music ministry teams here in our Emerald Parish over the past year. There are two teams – our ‘Traditional Music Ministry Team’ and our ‘Awakening Praise and Worship Group’. For years, we’ve endeavoured to build up our ‘traditional music ministry team’ and provide coverage for two liturgies every week, as well as all the other special Masses required by our presiding priest/s for the various liturgies (e.g. funerals, confirmations, feast days, Australia Day, Easter etc). To co-ordinate and encourage volunteers to remain committed has always been a little challenging, partly due to our rural landscape, as most of our musicians/singers work full-time (and some even work out of our region). However, I am continually impressed by all our members and their commitment to God and our Parish, whilst juggling family responsibilities and finding time to practice. This year has proven even more challenging due to all the COVID rules and restrictions placed upon each team member in varying ways. Unfortunately, our piano broke this year too, so our team has also had to adjust to this news, but lucky we have three guitarists that have stepped up and helped.

Our church (like all other parishes) has had to adapt rapidly, and the first sign of this adaptation was when we shifted to a live-stream model. No one in either of our music ministry teams has ever experienced this before, so we’ve all had to upskill very quickly (along with the entire congregation and other ministries). I am proud to say that the years of foundational work in establishing strong relationships between musicians and singers and our congregation has paid off. Even over this very difficult year, I noticed the continued commitment by these steadfast individuals in offering up their gifts of musicianship and song to our parishioners and to God; week after week (to whatever capacity they could help in).

Our musicians have led the way with their wonderful skills, saddled up alongside them were our beautiful singers – GROUPS BECAME PAIRS - due to COVID. However, even with all the changes, the hymns continued in some capacity to flow out into our wonderful church by the music ministry teams. Even during hardship, they remained united, strong and committed to delivering at each liturgy; online initially and then again in person. The contributions of the following musicians and singers made this happen for St Patrick’s Church…Jun Yuzon, Roslyn Horsfall, Richard Sequeira, Peggy Pearl, Vanessa Nixon, Noel Yamboa, Kevin Bickhoff, Maria Parlato, Mila Harris, Christine Tauamoa, Cathy Chapman, Lorraine Marsh, Rebekah Burns, Monica Burns, Alvin Caro and Jacinta Haber.

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our other music ministry team (which is relatively new in development) called the Awakening Praise and Worship Group which began in late 2019. This praise and worship group was setup to bring about similar music to what the NET team had originally introduced into our Parish many years ago by way of encouraging youth engagement. This music is quite lively and COVID has not dampened the hearts or voices of these five vibrant women:) The talented Esther McKinlay leads with her guitar and voice and is joined by Anthea Cullinane, Monica Burns, Ally Grounds and Rebekah Burns. This group has also had to adjust during COVID, by dividing into pairs for a period, but has since resumed in full force bringing in new sounds as they reunite and harmonise together once more.

God bless,

Rebekah Burns

Things are starting to slowly move again!!

A Funeral & Bereavement Ministry formation was held at Sacred Heart Church, Yeppoon on October 13^th and 15^th for all interested parishioners. Parishioners from St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish and North Rockhampton Catholic Community were also invited to attend.

On the 17^th October, we were finally able to process our Paschal Candle and Sacred Oils for Baptism, Anointing of the Sick and Confirmation, back to Mary Immaculate Church, Emu Park. These oils were blessed by Bishop Michael at the Chrism Mass held at St Joseph’s Cathedral on October 12^th.

On October 19^th, Sr Kym opened up the Benedictine Monastery to parishioners from both sides of our parish. We held our first Coffee & Meet in the middle since the start of COVID. It was great to reconnect with other parishioners we might not have seen for a while, in such peaceful surroundings. I am looking forward to our next meet which will be held at the Monastery again on December 7^th. This will be our Christmas get together, so wear your Christmas bling and feel free to share any special Christmas stories you may have.

On Sunday 24th October at Sacred Heart Church Yeppoon, we had the first scrutiny of our Catechumen, Gordon Gould.  During this COVID time, our RCIA team have been travelling with him, online and in person, in this journey of faith.  Initially he was to have celebrated Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist at Easter.  It will now be a joyous celebration for him and our parish on the Feast of Christ the King.

At this Eucharist, we welcomed a group of Sisters of Mercy: Sr Bev Whitton, their community leader, along with Sisters Marie Riddel, Joanne Molloy, Brenda Moss, as well as two who are treasured members of our parish: Sr Grace Bartolo and Sr Desme Clarke.  They were invited so that Fr Matthew, on behalf of the parish, could thank them for the gift of the beautiful church furniture from their former convent, Loreto, in Rockhampton.  This furniture is especially appreciated in this time of COVID restrictions as they help make the distancing easier to fulfill and look 'normal' at the same time. 

At Emu Park, October 24^th had us once again sitting on pews (social distance rules applied). This was thanks to a small group of men who I heard didn’t even have enough energy for a coffee afterwards but slept very well that night. Thank you to all involved in this task!!

We also sang “Happy Birthday” to a very special parishioner – Pat Ellrott, who happened to be having her birthday that day. During the month we also celebrated Robyn Wenman’s birthday, which was one of those special ‘0’ birthdays and Cecilia Sutton who celebrated her 98^th birthday was taken out for lunch by a few parishioners.

We pray Pat, Robyn and Cecilia have a great year ahead.

We cannot finish without wishing our Year 12 students from St Ursula’s College and St Brendan’s College all the very best for their exams and God’s blessings for the road ahead.

HeleN McIntyre

Pilgrims' Walk to celebrate St Mary MacKillop

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop, the teachers were led on a ‘Pilgrim’s Walk’ around Hood’s Lagoon, the first site of the township of Clermont. They paused at significant places associated with the pioneers, the indigenous people of the area, the Sisters of St Joseph and all connected to Mary MacKillop. The walk concluded at Mary MacKillop Grotto. Sister Helen led the walk.

L to R. Frank Doolan, Father Bill Busuttin, Chairman Kevin McEvoy

Name for New Catholic College Announced.

The new Catholic college planned for the site of the former Sugar Research Institute in South Mackay has been named Catherine McAuley College.

Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton, Most Reverend Michael McCarthy DD made the announcement following community consultation with parishes and schools within the Mackay Southern Cluster of Parishes.

“My gratitude goes to the new college’s Steering Committee and to Catholic Education for their recommendations as a result of an extensive consultation process. It is my hope that Catherine McAuley College, built on this historical site of research and great learning, will be a true reflection of the local township and area of Mackay,” Bishop McCarthy said.

Bishop McCarthy said Catherine McAuley was the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy and the name reflects the significant contribution the Sisters have made to the establishment and development of Catholic schools in the Mackay region since 1880.
“Catherine McAuley devoted her adult life to ministering to the poor and destitute where she emphasized the importance of education, justice, service, stewardship and respect for the dignity of each person. These qualities have inspired thousands of students who have received a quality Catholic education at a Mackay Catholic school, founded and/or staffed by the Sisters of Mercy over the past 140 years”. Bishop McCarthy said.

Director of Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat AM welcomed the announcement that the new College would be named Catherine McAuley College. “The College will adopt the Charism of the Sisters of Mercy and this will inspire the College’s Educational Mission and help shape the College’s identity from its very inception,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

Miss Jeffcoat said that the beginning of construction work and the naming of Catherine McAuley College were exciting milestones on the journey towards the College accepting its first cohort of students in 2022.

“The opening of this new College in Mackay has generated enormous interest from families in the region wishing to enrol their children as well as significant enquiries from teaching professionals seeking information about employment,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

If you wish to make enquiries about future enrolments at Catherine McAuley College please call 1800 228 433 or email info@rok.catholic.edu.au

Report on the Sanctity of Life Weekend 

Gladstone Parish 

The Gladstone Parish joined the rest of the diocese in celebrating the Sanctity of Life weekend. The following were the highlights of the activities:

• "Life is Sacred - What the Church Teaches" written by Fr. Simeon Uchendu and published for the Bulletin.
• Copies of Bishop Michael's letter inserted into the Parish Bulletin.
• The Homily focused on life.
• We celebrated Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by 5pm on Sunday 4th October.  We prayed the Rosary of Life - Glorious Mystery led by Jennett O'Mullane.  Included in the service were readings from John Paul II.  The Service concluded with Benediction.

NAIDOC Celebrations

What a terrific day! The Prep students and Indigenous students from St Francis Primary School, Tannum Sands, were invited to NAIDOC celebrations. Our students were immersed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural activities with Indigenous students and staff at Chanel College.

St Francis of Assisi Feast Day at St Francis Primary School

Just like St Francis, our hearts were filled with the joy of our faith as we celebrated Eucharist at our Feast Day Mass!

There has been a lot of talk in the media recently and in the lead up to the election around the introduction of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) or euthanasia in Queensland.  Bishop Michael has provided a letter to the people of the Diocese in relation to this, a copy of which can be found below.  You can also access the joint media statement from the Archdiocese of Brisbane, issued in conjunction with the Anglican Church Southern Queensland.

Palliative care is naturally person-centred care with a focus on quality of life and support for individual physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Compassion and valuing people as the person they are, rather than just the illness they have, is an important part of this approach. Palliative care includes involving the resident in decision-making and supporting quality of life. It also includes treating them with dignity, respect and having their identity, culture, and diversity valued and supported.

World Health Organisation defines Palliative an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

Palliative care:

• provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms;
• affirms life and regards dying as a normal process;
• intends neither to hasten or postpone death;
• integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care;
• offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death;
• offers a support system to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement;
• uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated;
• will enhance quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness;
• is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.

Death and dying are a part of life. It will happen to us all one day, yet we often seem reluctant to think about, talk about, or plan for this stage in life, however doing so holds many benefits. It enables us to really think about what is important to us and how we want to live the remainder of our life. It also enables us to understand what the wishes and preferences of our loved ones might be, and how we can support their decisions.

Being open to a conversation about death is the best place to start. From there, expressing your wishes clearly and early will help to ensure your choices are respected.

When someone needs palliative care, it is important that they know what it is and how it can be accessed. Information about palliative care options and services can reduce fears and help with making decisions when facing the end of life.

People are different, so it is important that everyone has information, care, and support that meets their specific needs, regardless of their background or where they live.

Many different health professionals provide palliative care. Doctors, nurses, allied health workers and pastoral care workers all have a role to play in supporting people at the end of life. Palliative care is provided in hospitals and hospices, in your home, or in an aged care facility.

Family members and carers are an important part of the team in providing care according to the persons desired needs. Moreover, community members and work colleagues can all support people with needing palliative care and as well as supporting their family and carers.

As a specialist health field, palliative care draws upon a multidisciplinary body of evidence to support its practice. It helps us understand what models of care are effective. For clinicians and health professionals, this means using the best available evidence in combination with the individual resident’s circumstances and preferences when it comes to making care decisions. For families and carers, this means having access to best practice care with a focus on evidence-based support and services.

Compassion for the sick and suffering is something which unites us all. Many of us have accompanied friends or family as they face the fear and uncertainty of a serious illness. It also allows loved ones to spend quality time as they journey towards eternal life. Dying persons need to feel the love, care and compassion during the end stage of life and not think of themselves as a burden to others.

On the contrary, Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) which is proposed to be legalised in Queensland, steals from the dying person and his/her loved ones these precious moments.

Pope Francis has continued statements against physician-hastened death, stating that the practice is “false compassion” and a result of our “throwaway culture” that devalues and dehumanizes the sick. Catholic organizations are often in the lead in organizing against death with dignity laws.

There are concerns about the potential for legalised voluntary assisted dying to jeopardise vulnerable populations, be abused, expose health practitioners to professional risk, harm patients and families and erode trust in the medical profession.

We all play an important role to ensure that the dying person receives care, love, compassion, kindness, physical, emotional and psychological support till the end.

Sr Pauline

The longest serving Principal in St Ursula’s College history, Mrs Catherine Dunbar, will finish her tenure at the end of the 2020 school year. Mrs Dunbar commenced at the College in the role of Deputy Principal in 2002, and has been ‘at the helm’ as Principal since 2005.

Throughout her 15 year Principal-ship, Catherine has steered the College through the impact of Central Queensland’s mining boom and subsequent downturn, the introduction of Year 7s to Secondary School, and the College’s Centenary in 2018.

“During the mining boom, our Day students outnumbered the Boarding students, for the first time in St Ursula’s College history.  The subsequent downturn in mining saw enrolment numbers drop considerably; though, within a few years, we welcomed Year 7 to Secondary school in 2015.  Year 7s joining the College for their first year of Secondary school was a special moment as I believe their energy and enthusiasm enliven everybody,” Catherine said.

“The Centenary celebrations in 2018 were a great opportunity to unpack and display the proud history of St Ursula’s and to acknowledge the enormous contributions of the Presentation Sisters who owned St Ursula’s until 2014,” said Catherine. “Celebrating our Centenary made me realise how proud I am of the way the College has stayed true to its Catholic identity, values and great academic traditions and used these to embrace the challenges of preparing young women for life and work in the 21^st century.”

Catherine’s personification of the College values - simplicity, excellence, respect, hospitality, faith and compassion – is recognised by students as much as staff and parents.

“To welcome us to St Ursula’s, Mrs Dunbar has invited a different group of Year 7s to have afternoon tea with her each week in her office; we sit down and chat with her over biscuits and fruit,” Year 7 student, Sienna Lovegrove said.

“Mrs Dunbar is really supportive and encouraging; we love seeing her cheer us on at sporting events, and she is always so proud of us and excited for us, too,” said Year 8 student, Paige Jones.

This sentiment was echoed by Catherine herself.  “I love being present when our students engage in activities they love inside or outside the classroom.  Everyone has a different time to shine and I believe that deserves acknowledgement.” 

Before commencing at St Ursula’s, Mrs Dunbar worked at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School as an English teacher and Head of Department as well as other leadership roles. “My teaching career started in Brisbane, at Cavendish Road High School but, after marrying my husband Peter, we moved to the Burdekin area in North Queensland when he took up a position at the local hospital,” Mrs Dunbar said. “I was appointed to Home Hill State High School where I taught English, History and French and then, at a young age, accepted a Headmistress role, responsible for the well-being and learning of the girls in the school.”

Catherine and Peter relocated to Rockhampton – Peter’s hometown - just prior to the birth of their first child.

“I was a stay-at-home mother while our three children were small but later I took short term contracts at both Rockhampton and North Rockhampton State High Schools, before I accepted a permanent position at Girls Grammar. I have been fortunate to work at some great schools across the State, Independent and Catholic sectors and am still in contact with colleagues and former students from those schools.  St Ursula’s, however, is very special to me; there would never be a good time to leave this school; my departure now is simply a result of timing,” Catherine said.

“My last contract reached an end – and the Board which governs St Ursula’s offers five year appointments to Principals. I could have re-applied but had to weigh up a number of family and personal circumstances and decided that, whereas, I would have loved another year or two, five years was more than I could confidently commit to.”

Catherine said she found the decision quite heart-wrenching, particularly in such an unusual and challenging year.

“I know I will really miss St Ursula’s; I regard leading this wonderful community as a very special privilege. This College has been a large part of my life and I will watch its future development with pride and affection.” 

This is the story of the journey through schooling and boarding school life for girls, and for a time boys, in a seaside settlement of Yeppoon forty kilometres north east of Rockhampton. The voices and recorded memoirs over 100 years of women and men about their childhood and schooling as boarders are important components of this history. Through oral history there is a stronger understanding, both of the history of boarding school life and of the broader historical, and social contexts in which the students and their families lived, some located in the remotest regions of Central Queensland.

Known as an exemplary teacher, an innovative, caring and compassionate leader and a highly sought-after expert in Boarding administration, Assistant Principal: Boarding at The Cathedral College (TCC), Rockhampton, Ron Armstrong, has been named a finalist in this year’s Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards.

Mr Armstrong is one of five finalists in the Outstanding Contribution to School Community category of the awards which recognises teachers from all education sectors across Queensland.

TCC Principal Rob Alexander said Mr Armstrong always championed the college and advocated strongly for students, particularly boarders.

“During the global pandemic, Mr Armstrong’s leadership of his tireless team of boarding staff ensured TCC was one of the first in the state able to reopen to a full complement of students on site,” Mr Alexander said.

A key contributor to the early return was the spacious boarding facilities which Mr Armstrong planned and lobbied for six years ago, resulting in shared rooms for Years 7 and 8 students to support each other as they transitioned to boarding, and from Year 9 single rooms for each boarder, far exceeding usual standards of boarding facilities in the state.

“I believed our boarders deserved that, but it also encourages our kids to be comfortable. It has to be their second home,” Mr Armstrong said

Since taking on his current role in 2009, Mr Armstrong has increased TCC’s boarding numbers to full capacity of 190 with a waiting list.

His boarding expertise is often called upon, having been seconded to schools across Australia to audit their facilities and provide advice and guidance for improvement and growth. Mr Armstrong has also contributed to nationwide boarding standards and professional development.

Pre-pandemic, Mr Armstrong travelled extensively across the Diocese to meet families, building a trust and rapport with parents.

“Our boarding parents, like all parents, want to provide the best opportunities for their children and provide them with more than they ever had, as we all wish to do. It is parents going out into their communities and talking about the quality of education at TCC and the level of care that their child received in boarding that keeps other parents coming to us,” Mr Armstrong said.

TEACHX Award winners of each category will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday 29 October.

Bundaberg and Rockhampton regional residents can now benefit from clinical nursing services with CentacareCQ.

Clinical nurse consultants Lyn Barber (Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast) and Nalene Downing (Bundaberg) specialise in providing services to CentacareCQ’s Home Care Package clients, NDIS clients and to those who wish to access nursing care as a private client.

The additional Clinical Nursing service at CentacareCQ means high-quality care and support to each and every client. It also allows the organisation to streamline a significant number of services that are in high demand, under one roof.

Both Clinical Nurses will specialise in a range of services including:

• Clinical health assessments
• Continence assessment including prescribing for continence aids
• PAS (Cognitive) assessments
• Wound care
• Health issue education
• Liaison with GPs

Rockhampton & Capricorn Coast

 Rockhampton Clinical Nursing Consultant, Lyn Barber

With more than 40 years’ experience in the nursing industry, including working previously as a domiciliary nurse at the Rockhampton Hospital and in aged care, Lyn Barber brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and high-quality care to the CentacareCQ team.

In recent weeks, Lyn has been out and about as part of a number of Pop-Up Shops in the Rockhampton Region (including Gracemere ShoppingWorld) meeting locals and providing free health checks to those who are interested.

When she’s not helping CentacareCQ’s valued clients, the mother-of-four enjoys spending her down time boating, camping and four-wheel-driving.

Bundaberg Region

Bundaberg Clinical Nursing Consultant, Nalene Downing

Nalene joined CentacareCQ in May with more than 30 years’ experience in nursing. Her background includes working with Queensland Health where she spent 15 years as a Clinical Nurse in Bundaberg, Mount Isa and Longreach in the hospitals and community.

Her role specialises in wound care and attending to any clinical issues with Home Care Package (HCP) clients. She has spent recent time visiting Level 3 and 4 HCP clients to complete clinical assessments so CentacareCQ can provide a more holistic service.

"I enjoy visiting patients/clients in their homes with a goal of keeping them in their homes for as long as possible,” Nalene said.

For more information about eligibility and fees regarding CentacareCQ’s clinical nursing services, visit centacarecq.com or phone 1300 523 985.

Recently a number of people who work at Mater Misercordiae Limited, Central Queensland Corporate Office in Rockhampton, were recognised for their years of loyal and dedicated service to the Mater and Mercy Aged Care Services here in CQ.

The presentation of Long Service badges to these long serving staff members took place in the beautiful and historical Middle Hall on the Range site in Rockhampton.   

Special guests for the occasion were Sr Marie Riddel, a former Mater Rockhampton CEO and Sr Joanne Molloy, the current Archivist for the ISMAPNG Northern Community.     

The presentation of the Long Service Badges took place at a Mercy Day celebration held on Tuesday 22 September and commenced with a beautiful liturgy prepared by Pastoral Care Coordinator, Caroline Humphreys. Following the presentation of the badges the celebrations ended with “a comfortable cup of tea” enjoyed by all present.  

Six of the staff who received Long Service badges had a combined total of 145 years of service to the Health and Aged Care Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy that commenced in this region with the opening of the Mater Hospital Rockhampton in 1915. Included among the Badge recipients were:   

• Caroline Humphreys for 10 years of dedicated service
• Rachel Chadwick for 20 years of dedicated service
• Belinda Bauman for 20 years of dedicated service
• Maree Duke for 30 years of dedicated service
• Marcia Healy for 30 years of dedicated service
• Patsy Bunney for 35 years of dedicated service

The presentation to these long serving staff members was mirrored in other Mater Ministries throughout the State and such ceremonies are an appropriate way to recognize, congratulate and thank people for their exceptional record of service to the Ministry of health and aged care.

More than a few tears were shed as people reflected on how much their Mercy journey had meant to them and on the wonderful people they had met along the way.

Phillip Bauman

Year 6 student, Keean Rackam, from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Mackay, will soon see his artwork go from concept to reality after winning the Making Jesus Real t-shirt design competition run by the Catholic Education Office recently.

The t-shirt is currently in production and will be made available to Primary teachers involved in the MJR program in schools in the Diocese.

The purpose of teachers wearing an MJR shirt is to promote a sense of commitment, belonging and unity towards Making Jesus Real each and every day, according to Keean.

“That’s why I decided to include the MJR acronym T.E.A.M - Together Everyone Achieves More,” Keean said.

“I think this acronym is a great motivation concept, which encourages everyone to display the Spirit of Jesus. From my experience as being an MJR peer leader, I realised how much more can be achieved when we work together,” Keean said.

Faith Identity and Religious Education Diocesan Consultant, Catherine Simmonds, said the promotional competition had drawn great interest from all corners of the Diocese.

“We received hundreds of entries and had a very challenging time selecting our top ten,” Mrs Simmonds said.

“We loved Keean’s bold colours which are consistent with the MJR logo colours and his use of the TEAM acronym, which we thought captured an important element of MJR,” Mrs Simmonds said.

Keean said he loves to draw and was very happy with his final concept.

“I don’t exactly have a passion for fashion, but my teacher does, and I am really looking forward to seeing my teacher and all the other wonderful teachers throughout the diocese wearing the new shirt,” Keean said.

Students from Catholic Education colleges in the Diocese of Rockhampton joined Queensland’s best young instrumentalists recently, at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium of Music, State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) Queensland.

Students travelled to Brisbane to attend the four-day program which culminated in a performance at the Conservatorium Theatre.

SHEP is an educational program for music students that helps extend and encourage their pursuit of musical excellence.

For talented tuba player from Emerald’s Marist College, Drew Ferguson, this was the second time he had been selected for SHEP after attending the program last year and also participating in SHEP Capricornia in Rockhampton earlier this year.

“Participating at SHEP Queensland allows me to push my musical abilities to the next level,” Drew said.

“It gives me the opportunity to work with eminent conductors and perform alongside some of the best young musicians from throughout the state, which is an invaluable experience,” he said.

Although no audience was permitted to attend the final concert due to COVID-19 restrictions, Drew was thrilled to be able to perform.

“The buzz of performing, even if it’s to an empty theatre, is indescribable and I’m very excited to be given opportunities like SHEP Queensland. I am very grateful to my music teachers at Marist and through SHEP for getting me to this level of performance,” Drew said.