Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I welcome you to the February edition of the Diocesan electronic newsletter.

I invite you to walk with me this year, together as disciples of the Risen Christ and become more and more co-responsible for the Mission of Christ. I wish you all of Gods blessings as we begin this year and this journey together.

On Saturday 13 February 2021, the first person-to-person meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council was held. We had met three times last year but via video because of the COVID restrictions.  Members were drawn from all over the five regions of our Diocese; from the West, Central Highlands, Northern, Southern and Central regions. Members came from Jundah, Mackay and Bundaberg and many travelled for over 3 or 4 hours, in fact, coming from Jundah is over one thousand kilometres.  It was a great opportunity meeting with all the members in person this time as they came from the various aspects and pastoral life of our Diocese

The Diocesan Pastoral Council assists the Bishop by investigating, considering and proposing practical conclusions about the things that pertain to the pastoral work of the Diocese. In doing so the Diocesan Pastoral Council forms one of the five councils that assist the Bishop - Finance Council, Education Council, Centacare Council, Priests’ Council and the Pastoral Council. Each of these councils assist the Bishop with governance of the five different areas of life within the Diocese.

The membership of the Diocesan Pastoral Council comes from parishioners who are in full communion with the Catholic church, this includes priests, religious and parishioners from across the Diocese as well as the Directors from our Diocesan agencies – Diocesan Services, Education and Centacare.  Mr Rob Alexander was elected as the Chair for the Pastoral Council, after having assisted as interim Chair, and Mrs Vicki Heggie was elected Vice Chair.  Together with Mrs Catherine Simmonds, Secretary and Ms Joy Philippi, the Executive Officer to the Diocesan Pastoral Council, these four people form the Executive of the Council.

We began the day with a prayer led by students from The Cathedral College. Claire Stitt, Tess Quinn, and Joy Philippi invited our young people to begin our day with the beautiful story of Abraham and Sarah, where Abraham and Sarah opened their tent up to the visitors. We were welcomed to the new space of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and through prayer and music we were invited into God’s space as we began together.

The Acknowledgment of Country followed our prayer and then Mr Steve Lawrence, our guest speaker, was introduced who explored the topic of Missionary Disciples of the Risen Lord, Co-responsible for the Mission. During the day we also looked at Evangelii Gaudium 24 – “What does an evangelising community do?”, very important for the discernment of the Council.  As the reflection continued it centred on how the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton can embrace evangelization. The Diocesan Pastoral Council received the reports from the Social Justice Group, progress from the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and Youth, Family Life & Vocations.  Joy Philippi presented a summary on the various renewal plans that are available to parish communities.

I look forward to the next meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council when we gather, like the early church did on the eve of Pentecost, and to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. My congratulations to our new Executives and I thank Rob Alexander and Vicki Heggie for their leadership, together with Joy and Catherine.

This month we saw some changes in the clergy. Father Thadayoose Lazar HGN has returned to India on his way to work in America. We thank him for his 10 years of service to this Diocese and wish him all the very best as he fulfills his dream of working in America. Father Bryan Hanifin has retired as the Administrator of St Joseph’s Cathedral and again we wish you Father Bryan all the best in retirement and trust that you will be able to fulfill your dream of travel and enjoy the rest.  This year, Father Bryan will be ordained 50 years as a priest. Incredible service to our Diocese and we hope to celebrate his anniversary a little later this year.

The month of February brings the opening of the school year - the honour of the leadership of our schools and colleges and also the joyful welcoming of our young people to begin another year of their formal education. The sacramental programs are gearing up and I look forward to celebrating Confirmation around the Diocese this year.  With the retirement of Father Bryan and Father Thadayoose returning home, it has put a little strain on the Diocese however, with the generosity of the priests from Gladstone and the Central region, the Valleys region Parish have supply priests to care for them for the next six months. For St Joseph’s Cathedral, I will be assisting for the next six months. Father Stephen Hanly has travelled to Melbourne to begin a 12 month renewal course in Spirituality and we wish Father Stephen all the very best as he undertakes this very important time for service of our Church in the future. 

On 3 February, I travelled to Mackay to bless and open the new CentacareCQ offices in Sydney Street. The new offices provide a place for all our Centacare staff working in Mackay, and places for them to minister to the various people who require assistance and support. Centacare began here in Rockhampton as Catholic welfare by Father Frank Gilbert and Sister Anne-Marie Kinnane RSM. From there it has grown into an incredible network of Catholic care across our Diocese. From Mackay to Emerald, Longreach, Blackwater and here in Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gladstone and Bundaberg. Under the leadership of Mr Robert Sims, Director, a great group of people exercise a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton assisting people in their needs. The gospel proclaimed during the blessing and opening was a familiar one of the good Samaritan, who came across a person broken and bashed by society. The Samaritan got down and assisted this person to wholeness. This was the incredible act that we are all invited to be a part of.  There are many people who come to the Catholic Church for assistance and through our ministry of Centacare, people are able to regain confidence to live life again. I believe we are truly blessed in this Diocese with such a great agency as part of our Catholic Church. My prayer for Sydney Street Mackay is it becomes the “inn of hospitality” of Catholic care and for the people of Mackay and beyond.

God bless you all.