Blessing

On February 22^nd, family and friends gathered at Peter and Kathy Maloney’s new home.           We came together to celebrate and join in the blessing of their newly built home, which I am sure will be full of love, joy and peace. Two of their beautiful daughters – Nicole and Helen, were able to join their parents for this special occasion. Fr Noel Milner and Fr Matthew Moloney were also able to attend. Fr Noel used one of his new acquisitions from a recent pilgrimage to Greece to bless those present and Peter and Kathy’s home. All who attended enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, great company and generous hospitality. We pray this home will be a safe and blessed haven for all who abide there.

World Day of Prayer

On March 6^th we gathered at Mary Immaculate Church in Emu Park and Sacred Heart Church at Lammermoor for an ecumenical World Day of Prayer. We joined with over 150 countries around the world, in 88 different languages.

World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome all to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

This year we prayed for Zimbabwe and the title was – Rise! Take your mat and walk! This was a simple yet meaningful service which included a short meditation. After the service we enjoyed the companionship of all over morning tea.

Thank you to the ladies who organized this morning.

Sacramental Program

 Children from the parish started their Sacramental Journey last Saturday evening at Sacred Heart Church. They came along to register and enrol for their First Reconciliation. They all processed in with Fr Matthew with their sheep (which held their name), and placed them up on the wall in the church for all the parishioners to keep them in their prayers. We will pray for the children and their families as they proceed through the Sacramental Program.

Saint Vincent de Paul on the Capricorn Coast

The past few months have been a very busy time for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society on the Coast. A significant number of people have been helped in various ways within our community, above and beyond the usual aid to the disadvantaged.

Leading up to Christmas conference members handed out 84 hampers to needy families in the region, at a value of over $10,000. This gave families with little opportunity the capacity to celebrate the festive season with food and gifts that most of us take for granted.

Then, as the school year began, Vinnies on the coast assisted 35 children with financial aid, books and uniforms costing $10,500. This is essential so that pupils from poor families are not disadvantaged during their school years.

The major challenge on the Coast has been assisting those affected by the terrible bushfires at Cobrabull west of Yeppoon. To date more than 30 families have been given material and financial assistance. Thus far the funds given total more than $120,000. There will be ongoing assistance needed for victims of the fires as they struggle to re-build their homes and their lives. Vinnies will continue with aid for these people well into 2020.

Whilst the present rains have been a blessing, local farming families have also been living with severe and worsening drought over the past few years. In the Rockhampton/Livingstone Local Government Areas the amount of financial assistance distributed by Vinnies to assist in feeding stock and helping with other basic farm costs has passed $350,000.

And the normal work of the conferences goes on, irrespective of natural disasters. Families in need are given food, clothing and financial assistance every week, with members in Yeppoon and Emu Park interviewing, assessing needs and assisting the disadvantaged in our community on a daily basis.

If parishioners are aware of families who require some form of material aid, they are asked to contact the local Vincentians who will visit and help wherever possible. And remember you can help by donations in the poor box at church and by supporting our charity centres. Every dollar donated to Vinnies goes directly to those in need.