My name is Catherine Simmonds and I am grateful to be able to represent the Diocese of Rockhampton as a Plenary Council delegate.  I have always been a woman of faith and have felt and sought God’s presence and guidance throughout life’s challenges and blessings.  Born and raised in Brisbane, I came to the Diocese of Rockhampton in 2002 to work as a teacher.  My husband Neil, my children Nikeeta and Mitchel and I live at New-Eden, a cattle property at Lake Mary. 

I am deeply committed to my faith and have a great passion for the Catholic Church.  I worship at Holy Family Catholic Church in North Rockhampton with my family.  I participate actively in lay ministry and have been involved in the regional and diocesan assemblies and am the secretary for the Diocesan Pastoral Council.  I am also a Conference member of Vinnies (Sacred Heart Conference) and enjoy working at the shop in Yeppoon each month. 

I am passionate about quality teaching and learning, particularly in Religious Education and am so grateful to work as a member of the FIARE (Formation, Identity and Religious Education) Team at the Catholic Education Office, supporting schools in the Diocese in this area.  I have been very fortunate to participate in professional development and formation opportunities that have deepened my knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith and enabled my faith to grow.

The Catholic church has, to quote St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, “never seen a need without doing something about it.”  The work of lay people, religious and clergy ensured that the sick had a place of healing (through Catholic hospitals), all children are able to access quality education (through Catholic schools), that the elderly receive the care and support needed (through Catholic aged care facilities and services) and the poor and marginalised are given a hand up (through the work of Vinnies, Caritas, Catholic Mission to name but a few charitable organisations).

The Catholic Church has always been mission focussed.  Firstly, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ but also to live the Good News.  We the people are the Church and must work collaboratively with ordained ministers and religious sisters and brothers the life of discipleship, discerning anew what that means to be a Christian in the world today.  We must read and respond to the signs of the times and creatively embrace new ways of engaging in the evangelising mission of the Church in Central Queensland.

Having been involved in both the regional and diocesan assemblies, I believe that I have a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities that our Diocese faces.  With God’s help, I intend to advocate for us during the Plenary Council gatherings and process of discernment.  I am keen to hear your opinions on the discussion papers, to listen to your wisdom and be your voice as Australia collectively discerns what the Holy Spirit is asking of the Church in Australia at this time.  

God bless,

Catherine Simmonds