News from the Capricorn Coast
We celebrated a Multicultural Mass at Sacred Heart Church on
November 17th. It was a feast for the senses – joyful music, elaborate and colourful costumes, and a delicious display of food which quickly vanished. The Mass was filled with wonderful hymns sung by the Filipino choir. The Liturgy of the Word was proclaimed by the Group.
We recently celebrated our final Masses for all four schools in our area. We wish staff, students and families, God’s blessings of love, joy and peace during this joyous season. We wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you all next year.
We farewelled Fr Andrew Chase last Sunday December 1st, as he heads out to minister to Longreach and the surrounding areas for the month of December. Fr Andrew will then take up his new posting in Gladstone. We wish him all the very best and thank him for his wonderful ministry and friendship he has shared with us, during his stay on the Capricorn Coast. He will be greatly missed.
As December 1st was the first Sunday of Advent, Fr Andrew blessed our Advent Wreath and we heard God’s word challenging us to wake up, to stand ready and to prepare.
On Sunday 8th the Emu Park combined churches came together as one at Mary Immaculate Church, Emu Park. Children from the church performed a Nativity Play for the audience and this was followed by the singing of Christmas Carols, led by Keppel Bay Community Choir with Mary Loch on the keyboard. Ministers from each of the churches either welcomed, read scripture or gave a blessing to the gathered people. Thank you to all who were involved in organising this ecumenical event.
Our final “Get Together in the Middle” was held December 9th commencing at 10am. A wonderful time was had as usual as we came together to share stories and a few laughs. See you next February!!
From Seminarian Peter Doherty
After my first year of formation at Holy Spirit Seminary, I have come to the Capricorn Coast Catholic Parish for an end of year Pastoral Placement. I have fully participated in the four dimensions of formation at the Seminary; academic, pastoral, spiritual and human. This end of year placement primarily constitutes a continuing part of the pastoral and human formation dimensions.
Having spent a week here on the Capricorn Coast at the end of 2018, prior to my departure for a tour of parishes all around the Diocese, from out west to Longreach, north to Mackay, and all in between, I am pleased to be able to spend six weeks now among the people of the Capricorn Coast. I am looking forward to refreshing existing friendships and to making new connections right along the Coast at Masses, during visitations to schools and nursing homes, and throughout the busy dynamics of Parish life.
I am grateful for the happy welcome I have already received from Fr Matthew Moloney and Fr Andrew Chase and from the parishioners I have already encountered in my first week. I am grateful to Bishop Michael McCarthy and the Seminary Formators for this additional opportunity for discernment, and know that it is made possible through the prayerful support of all people across the Diocese of Rockhampton.
May God bless you and those you love as we enter Advent and prepare for the birth of the Christ-Child among us.
Peter Doherty
Seminarian – Diocese of Rockhampton