Around the Diocese in this time of Covid-19
Message from our Seminarians:
On the first Sunday of May (4th) we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday, and we reflected on God's call, or vocation, for our lives. In particular, we focused on the priestly vocation.
We currently have two Seminarians, preparing for priesthood, Ashwin Acharaya and Peter Doherty. They wanted to say 'hi', express their gratitude and share how they've been encouraged by our Diocese during COVID 19. Hear from them here:
Thank you to all who have taken the journey of our seminarians to heart over the years. For those who want to continue to support our seminarians, like Ashwin and Peter, through a prayer calendar and/or a financial gift towards their vocation journey, please contact the diocesan office:
Ph: 07 4887 3070
E: enquiries@rok.catholic.net.au
Video Messages from our Priests in “From My Home To Yours”:
Our home life has taken on greater meaning, new joys, and new challenges during COVID 19. Phone calls, text messages and video calling one another from our homes has become a great source of encouragement and connection.
In our “From My Home to Yours” video series, a number of our priests, representing each of the five regions in our Diocese, send you an encouraging thought from their home to yours.
Episode 1 - Father Stephen encourages us from his kitchen about our part in building a Kingdom of Kindness:
Episode 2 - Father Thadayoose encourages us to choose an attitude of renewal as we come back together in the coming months:
Episode 3 - Father Shaiju reminds us of the part our faith, hope, love, prayers, and mercy have in our communion with the Lord and each other during COVID 19:
Episode 4 - Father Matthew encourages us about the sacramentality of family & community, and what we regard as normal:
In episode 5, Father James encourages us about Jesus' road of rediscovery laid out for us during this time:
In episode 6, Father Yon speaks about how music has a life-giving quality to it and how he integrates spiritual songs into his life:
In episode 7, Father Simeon talks about how to live the Gospel through a daily foundation of Morning Prayer, an attitude of belief & discovering one activity in the day that helps keep your head above water:
Father Truc invites us to consider how gardening can be a part of being closer to God:
In episode 9, Father Alex reflects on how God has prepared our houses as a church:
Carmel Walker: doing RI in Isolation
Carmel Walker, a retired Rural and Remote doctor, currently lives in a cottage on property 10 kms out of Longreach. At a recent Regional Pastoral Council meeting, when the participants were asked to share how they are now serving during Covid-19, she was a bit baffled. Like so many of you, she thought she didn’t do much, if anything. Like many in our community, she is vulnerable to Covid-19 and can’t really go out. Then she thought again.
The property on which she lives belongs to her son and daughter-in-law, and they have four children, the eldest of whom is eleven. The parents are both doctors working in the town. Yes, so it was the grandparent to the rescue. When the children stayed home from school, their mother and the nanny did the bulk of the schooling duties….and she, Carmel, was informed by the children that she was to do Religious Instruction! Well, that was a new challenge. And it was even more challenging when she found that at least one of them must have switched off in the RI classes they attend at the State school. She has researched books and courses so that she can continue to work productively with the children. Now that they are back at school, the classes are to continue on a Saturday morning. She enjoys this opportunity to teach and support her beloved grandchildren in the faith that has sustained her for so much of her life.
Sr Kym Harris osb
Cooking Demonstation from Sr Lila and Chris Haines.
From the Catholic Parishes of North Mackay and Farleigh FAcebook Page: