Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

I write as your Bishop to assure each one of you my prayers and thoughts during this time of uncertainty within our Australian community. We are certainly in a challenging period in the history of our Diocese.

Please know that God is with us, and will be there for each one of us, during this extremely stressful time.

I am aware of the incredible courage and hope that you all have shown as we face this together and look at new and different ways of being community.  Know that you have my support through this and the Church still supports you.

To our priests and people who remain working on the front line.  I am so grateful to you all for your marvellous ongoing presence in the community. I admire your commitment to be there to serve.

While we all do need to stay home right now as much as possible, for our own health and to help prevent the spread of the virus, do stay connected:

• to our God – through prayer, and the Mass and resources we’re providing online;
• to each other – reach out through phone or email or social media and make sure your family, your neighbours, your work colleagues, your friends, your community are going ok, particularly those who might be on their own or sick;
• to yourself – look after yourself physically and emotionally and reach out if you need to.

 Please be assured of all of my prayers during this time and remembrance in my daily masses from Rockhampton.