Parishes of North Mackay and Farleigh

Bucasia Orphans Memorial Unveiling and Blessing.

Descendant of the orphans, Rod Welch, unveils the memorial plaque and stone.

A considerable crowd, over 200 people, gathered at Bucasia for the unveiling and blessing of the orphans’ memorial on Sunday, October 20. The memorial stone and plaque commemorate the orphans who died in the 1880s while at the orphanage established by Fr Pierre Bucas and who are buried at an unknown site.

Neridah Kaddatz relates the story of Fr Pierre Bucas.

Neridah Kaddatz related the story of the French born priest and how he came to Queensland and Mackay after some time in New Zealand. Doug Petersen continued with the orphans’ story, and a descendant of the surviving orphans, Rod Welch, performed the unveiling.

Three students from Holy Spirit College, Mt Pleasant, sang before Meechan Philpott related the obituaries of the 33 orphans who had died.  Fr James Ezeocha of St Joseph’s blessed the memorial plaque and stone.

Fr James Ezeocha performs the blessing of the memorial.

Tegan Philpott was the master of ceremony for the occasion and Uncle Philip Kemp gave the welcome to country for the indigenous owners of the land.

Paul Vanderloos

Mackay Catholic Mens Club Dinner

 On Monday 28^th October the Mackay Catholic Mens Club held the monthly dinner at the City Bowls club. For this particular monthly dinner Ladies are invited.

A good crowd was entertained by Sam and Joe Camilleri with their guitar music.

After the prayer to Mary McKillop was read by all, Sister Grace Bartolo did the Reflection. She spoke about the history and work done by the Sisters of mercy. Her story was most interesting. Seminarian Ashwin Acharya said Grace.

Our guest speaker for the night was Bishop Michael who spoke about his Ad Limina visit to Rome. On the way to Rome he broke the journey and went to Fort Kochie in India and met many people of the Diocese and the families of Fr Alex, Fr Jomon and Fr Gasper. Bishop Michael captured the event with film and on the screen showed us the families and places he was taken to in Kochi.

At Rome with the Australian Bishops he was kept busy with meetings with various departments at the Vatican. The part of the journey which was most precious was the individual meeting with Pope Francis also group meetings by the Aussie Priests with the Pope.

Bishop Michael passed on as much information as he could with his visit. Many questions were posed to the Bishop.

The dinner was most enjoyable and a wonderful night was had by all who attended.

The next dinner on Monday 25^th November 6.30pm for 7pm start is at the Boomerang Hotel.