Hi. I have recently been appointed to the new part-time role of Pastoral Coordinator in the West.   I was raised on cattle stations between Barcaldine and Aramac, where I have resided again for the past 10 years. After attending boarding school in Yeppoon for secondary school, I went to university in Toowoomba and completed an Agricultural Engineering degree. I worked in Brisbane and Toowoomba before my most recent return ‘home’.

Loretta with Fr Shaiju at Aramac Creek

 As the position is a new one, the role description is still very much developing. So far, it has mostly been a lot of emails, a lot of phone calls and a lot of travel as I visit each of the 11 Mass Centres in the West. With the implementation of the new model of ministry in the West (priests in solidum and the relocation of one of the priests), there have been many changes and adjustments to be made by everyone. My role has included scheduling pastoral activities (including Masses) in a way that works well for the people and the priests and communicating between all the relevant people. Of course, there are many ‘teething problems’ and misunderstandings, but thankfully both the people of the West and both Fr Shaiju and Fr Raj have been very understanding and accomodating.

I am hopeful that in the future there will be time available for me to assist in helping our small Mass Centres (our largest Centres only print 30-40 Bulletins each weekend!) to work together and share their skills, experiences and difficulties in their various ministries and administration matters.

I am very grateful to the Diocese for supporting the West and enabling this position to exist. I believe that it is an important part of assisting our priests to meets the needs of our diverse communities.  The West has a different culture to other areas and therefore a different approach is sometimes required.

Loretta McKeering