It is Sunday evening the 22^nd November 2020 after what was an incredible few days. It all began on Wednesday with the Ordination of Ashwin Acharya, now a Deacon for the Catholic Church here in the Diocese of Rockhampton. The priests and seminarians, family and friends gathered at St Joseph’s Cathedral to celebrate the journey of this young man, who back in 2014 indicated that he wished to be a priest. Now, six years later Ashwin is a Deacon for our Church and looking forward to Ordination next year. Congratulations Deacon Ashwin and may your time in Emerald be a time of rich blessings as you immerse yourself in the pastoral and sacramental work of our church. Together with Father Truc and Father Yon and the whole Parish team may you feel very welcome as you engage and care for God’s people. It was only a few weeks ago I visited the Parish of Emerald and the Parish team of the two Fathers, with Francie and Cathy who coordinate the activities of the Parish office and our three principals – Mark, Tegan and Chris and also with the chairs of the Pastoral and Finance Councils – Bernadette and Jackie. They are looking forward to welcoming Ashwin into the community as he will be appointed to the Parishes across the Central Highlands.

Laying on of Hands

We also on this weekend farewelled Sr Dolores Donnelly rsm who 22 years ago began ministry at the Capricornia Correctional Centre. Sr Dolores was a welcomed visitor to the staff and the inmates of the centre and connecting them with their families offered wonderful pastoral care. Prior to that Sr Dolores was a teacher and had taught since 1958 firstly at Farleigh and then as a Sister of Mercy through many schools throughout our Diocese. As we said farewell to this wonderful lady from our Cathedral, we thank God for the blessings and for the many people whose life she touched. We remember the community St Mary’s where she fondly called home during these past few years as her school and as her parish community. May you rest in peace, Sr Dolores and enjoy the life that God has intended for you. The life with God forever.

Last night at our Cathedral we welcomed those who had been journeying with us to fully enter the Church and had their sacraments postponed due to COVID.  Now on the Feast of Christ the King we welcomed our new people to the Church and Confirmed them as they completed the Sacraments of Initiation and came to the table for the very first time.

Then this morning at our Cathedral, Deacon Ashwin began his preaching ministry as a Deacon in the Church by confidently proclaiming the Word of God and sharing a reflection on the Word of God as this young man opened for us, his faith, the faith of our Church. Well done Deacon Ashwin!

The month of November is a busy month with the end of the school year and also fulfilling some of the postponed commitments of the year. I began in Bundaberg to bless the new kindergarten attached to St Joseph’s Primary School, attended a farewell dinner to honour Kaye Beston and Madonna Davitt who are completing their terms and retiring as principals of our schools in Bundaberg  - St Joseph’s and St Mary’s. They have done an incredible job in Catholic education over the years, leading our young ones in faith and assisting them as they are educated in the Catholic faith.

We also farewelled this month Catherine Dunbar, principal of St Ursula’s College in Yeppoon who for the past fifteen years has led St Ursula’s in an incredible way as Principal. We thank Catherine for her dedication and support of Catholic education and assisting a new generation of young people to achieve their potential. May you enjoy retirement Catherine, together with Kaye and Madonna, after an incredible achievement within our Catholic system.

An evening with Father Stephen Hanly and his Parish community last Friday evening began the journey for Father Stephen as he prepares to spend some time next year in Melbourne undertaking a spirituality course. Father James Ezeocha is ready to step into his shoes and we wish Father Stephen all the best over this time as he prepares for a time of renewal and study in the area of spirituality.

Then a quick lunch at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral where they began preparing for Christmas with “Come Dressed for Christmas”. Thanks to our friends at St Paul’s and they too are looking forward to welcoming their new Bishop, arriving on the 27^th February 2021, Bishop Peter Grice. We share Christmas and ecumenical greetings to all our brothers and sisters across the Rockhampton Region and Diocese.

One of the joys of belonging to a large family are the occasional cousins who drop in to say hello. One of my cousins, who also turns 70 this year, dropped in with her husband and it was lovely to catch up with Carmel and Tom while they are holidaying on the Capricorn Coast.

And finally, in these days of our young people finishing school we wish them all the very best, keep safe and to you and your families have a blessed Christmas.

Thanks