Much Celebration in the Central Highlands

December has turned into a very busy month for the Parish of St Patrick’s, Emerald. It begun with the arrival of Deacon Ashwin Acharya who arrived in Emerald, on Saturday 5^th of December to commence his Diaconate. Deacon Ashwin will be with the Parishes of Emerald and Springsure for a period of six months. Deacon Ashwin hit the ground running on his arrival, with Mass on Saturday evening followed by the Twilight Markets that evening, where St Patrick’s sold tickets for their only fundraiser for 2020.

St Patrick’s Parish held a Monster Christmas Raffle, a trailer filled with goodies, donated by businesses and many parishioners and individuals throughout the community. The raffle was held in lieu of our traditional Parish Fair being cancelled, due to Covid-19. The raffle was drawn at the conclusion of Sunday, 13^th December Mass. The lucky winner, a local family, were over the moon with their win. The raffle was a huge success for the Parish. Fathers Truc and Yon wish to thank everyone who contributed to the raffle.

 Joshua, Amanda, Lachlan and Racheal Wolff, receiving their prize from Fr Truc and Deacon Ashwin

Fr Truc Phan celebrated his 14^th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination on Wednesday, 9th December. Deacon Ashwin, Fr Truc and Fr Yon after the Celebration Mass.

Br. Kevin Smith celebrates his 70^th Jubilee of joining the Christian Brothers

This year marks the 70th Anniversary since Emerald local, Brother Kevin Smith entered the Christian Brothers.

Son of Kit & Cecil Smith, Kevin grew up in Emerald attending St Patrick’s primary school and later St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon, before heading to Strathfield Christian Brothers Training College in NSW at the age of 15.

Br Kevin obtained a degree in Education from the University of Queensland and taught in Christian Brothers schools in NSW, Queensland, the ACT and for 14 years in Rabaul, PNG.  He spent time in Rome and in Ireland, the birthplace of Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers. In 1986 Br Kevin began teaching at St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon where he still resides today. 

Br. Kevin has been a member of our St Patrick’s Parish community since 1935. He has maintained his connection to the parish to this day, spending the school holidays and special occasions with his family in Emerald, which includes one of his sisters Kathleen Waldby, brother Terry Smith and also John Smith in Springsure.

This weekend the Christian Brothers and Kevin’s Family will celebrate and recognise his lifelong dedication to Education and the Catholic Church beginning with a Mass at the Holy Trinity Church, Banyo.