Relay for Life

We once again entered a parish team in the Queensland Cancer Council’s Relay for Life, held on Saturday 10^th & Sunday 11^th August. Our tent was erected next door to Shalom College’s, so it was a night of fun and frivolity for the young and young at heart. The overall theme for Relay this year was “Musicals”. Our team took for its theme “The Sound of Music” and decorated their tent with “alive” hills, music, and dubious people in nuns’ habits. For their efforts the team won Best Letterbox and the Spirit of Relay awards. It’s a long day and night for t

hose involved but the commitment to community service is rewarding. Overall our team and parish donated nearly $5000 to the Cancer Council.

Filipino Mass

Fr Ronaldo was keen to have the Filipino community come together for Mass. A date was set, Friday, 16^th August, in St Patrick’s Church, and a planning committee was formed. Never has so much effort gone into one Mass! It was a good thing for the various Filipino leaders to come together as a liturgy team and plan. Jeffrey, our parish finance officer, was chief musician and numerous singing practices were held. Raquel, our receptionist, created the powerpoint and liturgy sheets. All priests joined Fr Ronaldo to celebrate Eucharist with many non-Filipino parishioners there as well. After much practice Fr Jomon even prayed a prayer that he led in Tagalog! Afterwards a veritable feast of Filipino delicacies was provided and all enjoyed a social time together.

Holy Rosary opens its Doors

Holy Rosary Church is opened each day from 7.00am – 7.00pm, welcoming anyone who seeks quiet prayer or Mass. On Saturday, 23^rd August, the doors were opened to the public as part of the Bundaberg Regional Council’s “Open House” event. Several local historical buildings are open for guided tours on this day and we were pleased to greet 60 people into our house that morning. We are blessed to have Cathryn King volunteer her time as an archivist for our parish and Cathryn was delighted to show Holy Rosary to the public.

The 17th Annual Bundaberg Ecumenical Luncheon.

On Saturday, 24 August one hundred and fifty guests arrived at the Bundaberg RSL for the 17^th Annual Ecumenical Luncheon. Leaders and members of the Anglican, Uniting, Lutheran, and Baptist Churches joined the many parishioners from our Catholic parish for a wonderful meal and social interaction.

This annual gathering was originally started by the Knights of the Southern Cross, and in the last seven years has been run by our menALIVE ministry. However, in an endeavour to make the occasion more ecumenical members of the other Churches joined our first “Ecumenical” Planning Committee. Our Guest Speaker this year was a recently retired Police Commissioner from Cairns, Mr Rolf Straateimer, who had been a member of the Qld Police service for the past 43 years.

Rolf’s topic “About Life, About Death, A Journey of Discovery” was well received by the audience, as they enjoyed listening to his journey from “no faith, to a strong faith in a compassionate loving God.” His life, “as a police-man, who never knew whether he would return home from duty each day” was a series of many incidents, both humorous and very challenging, but always connected with people from all walks of life. These people helped him come to an understanding “that there is life after death won by our saviour, Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross, and resurrection to new life.” Rolf, a member of the Baptist Church, now lives each day with a close relationship in Jesus Christ.

As we have done each year, any funds raised have been given to a local charity of the Guest Speaker’s choice. This year it was our pleasure to present a cheque for $3,500 to the Qld Police Legacy who support the families of police officers, killed while serving our communities.

‘Take my Hand’ Parish Retreat

Fr John Daly offered to lead parishioners in a time of quiet and reflection on Thursday, 29^th August, at St James’ Church, Bargara. He titled his retreat “Take My Hand”, using many images from scripture to show the power of touch in its healing, comforting, helping, compassionate and tender forms. Retreatants were given time for personal reflection and prayer. The Years 5 & 1s from St Joseph’s School also contributed to the day by making Praying Handprints with “I use my hands to…” written on them. No parish activity is complete, however, without social interaction and morning tea and lunch were great opportunities for parishioners to catch up.

Parish Planning Group

The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg has enjoyed, for a number of years, wonderful participation by the parishioners. We have been well led with our pastoral focus: We are a stewardship parish gifted by God, grateful of heart, using our gifts and talents to serve.

The Parish Planning Group (PPG) has recently been established, under the direction of our Parish Stewardship Council, to determine how, as a parish, we can ensure the governance structures, roles, leadership formation and co-responsibility for mission be relevant today and into the future. The PPG will be seeking parishioner assistance and participation. We encourage all to truly respond to the call of Jesus and spread the Good News in our communities and beyond.