Parish life in the western parts of the diocese has been rather different in recent months. Some readers from east of the Range will be aware of this to the extent that their own parish life has been curtailed. These parishioners have been without all or at least some of the celebrations which are a normal part of their community. This is because for a month, their parish priest has been absent; he has taken a turn to supply, to minister here in the rural and remote areas of the diocese. The people of the west – from 400 kilometres on to further inland – are very grateful for the presence of the priests and for the sacrifice of those of you who have gone without.

While there is no permanent pastor based at Longreach, Fr. Jayanthi has continued as parish priest in Blackall, ministering particularly to the people of Blackall and Tambo which is 100 km down the road. Once a month he visits Isisford (120 km) for Sunday Mass; once a month he goes up the road 106 km to Barcaldine, staying overnight so that he can travel 85 km east next morning to Jericho and then on another 54 km to Alpha for a second Mass. It is the parish communities west of Barcaldine who have befitted most from the monthly rotation which has brought Fathers Bryan Hanifin, Don White, Matthew Moloney, Stephen Hanley and now Peter Tonti to these parts. The visiting priests have all stayed in the presbytery at Longreach. Consequently, as well as provision of the Sacraments in the larger towns of Barcaldine, Alpha and Longreach, the small communities have been able to have a monthly (Aramac and Ilfracombe) or two monthly Mass (Jundah and Morella) on a regular basis. It has been most welcome. 

I suspect it might be true to say that for most of the visiting priests, there is some aspect of novelty in a first visit to this part of the diocese or at least in a prolonged stay. Not so of course for Fr. Matthew Moloney, born and bred on a property out of Longreach and who spent some years as pastor in Blackall and Longreach. For some visitors and I include myself on first arriving back in 2006, the idea of travelling 100 km more or less - more often more - whether for pleasure or business or medical or just to get to the next town seems excessive. However, along with the accompanying disadvantages (time, energy, and expense) that’s the reality – a requirement of living here. I couldn’t help smiling when Fr. Jayanthi brought his superior general to Isisford Mass, along with Fr. Raj. The three men from a country that is highly populated by comparison with anywhere in Australia were somewhat in awe of distances to be travelled in order to celebrate Mass for a local community. A learning experience! 

I am often reminded of stories that I grew up with, true stories of the pastors who travelled on horseback to their communities and of the early settlers in Sydney who were without the ministry of a priest for a long period of time. Those men and women kept the faith alive just the same.  As I have said people here are truly grateful. At the same time I hope that we are all enriched in the giving and receiving of ministry, even in the forgoing of ministry. May we grow in a sense of being church for each other. May we all be inspired!

 Sister Mary (Western Pastoral Ministry)