News from St Joseph's, North Mackay

What a wonderful few days we have had celebrating the Sacraments at St Joseph's Parish North Mackay last week. First, we had the celebration of Confirmation for children on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturday afternoon, then Saturday evening three young people received the Sacraments of Initiation.....Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Janeile Seden, Jamelia Womal, Indiana Womal proudly showing their certificates as they are accompanied by their sponsors Ainsley Currie, Courtney Womal, Joshua Womal, along with Bishop Michael and Fr James. Congratulations to you all.

 

Congratulations to the many children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last week. Bishop Michael McCarthy presiding, with Fr James Ezeocha and Fr Sijo George assisting. This was the First Confirmations to take place in the Diocese since the start of the COVID pandemic.

The Mackay Mens Dinner

The Mackay Catholic Men’s  Dinner Club met on Monday 29 March. Chairman Kevin McEvoy welcomed members. Fr Jayanthi said Grace and a good meal was served.

Our planned guest speaker, Nathan Harding from Rockhampton, got as far as Sarina but had to return home due to a COVID-19 lockdown.

Fortunately, our guest speaker who was lined up for February dinner, and cancelled out due to being hospitalised, was available for the March dinner. He didn't hesitate to volunteer as speaker for the night.

Mick Tweddle was our speaker and kept the crowd interested from start to finish. Mick spoke about his life and working in various areas and types of work.

Mick’s schooling was at Pleystowe, then in Mackay. He started work at the age of 14 as a “gopher” at a spare parts firm - a job he enjoyed. When Mick was old enough, his father employed him driving all sorts of trucking and various types of machinery.

Mick said a common job was to drive a low loader with a bulldozer on the back, and drive on mainly dirt roads from Mackay to Nebo area. With very few bridges, it was necessary to drive through difficult creek beds. Clearing hundreds of acres of brigalow scrub on a dozer was part his experiences. Now, when Mick drives through the countryside, he is proud of the grazing areas he helped clear.

From scrub clearing, Mick spent several years in the transport business driving various trucks. Another important part of his working life was a few years working on the construction of Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal.

The next move was to the final, most enjoyable job in his working life: at Hay Point where he worked in many jobs, including trades assistant, coal stacking by bulldozer, shifting stacker/reclaimers, ship loading, control room, as a leading hand and at times acting Foreman.

Many questions were posed. And many questions were asked during the talk with plenty of laughter. Mick was a most enjoyable guest speaker.

But there is much more. What Mick didn't talk about was what he has done since finishing paid work. There are numerous volunteers for our Churches throughout the diocese doing good work, however some go much further. Mick is one these extraordinaire people in the Parish of Walkerston.

For over 15 years, Mick has tended to mowing the lawns, trimming hedges etc around the church and Presbytery, and also going out to ensure everything is right for Funerals and Weddings.

He is also the handyman. When something breaks, the question is: 'Where is Mick?' - he will fix it or arrange for a tradie. His work assisting each Priest that has come to Walkerston with various jobs is appreciated.

In the late Father Dan Moore’s retiring years, Mick accompanied him to Ireland and stayed with Fr Dan and his family for a few weeks.

Mick has been on the Finance committee for over 10 years, assists in collections at Mass, is a welcomer, one of the first at Mass, and does odd jobs before Mass. Mick is always 'On Call'.

There are other Extraordinary Volunteers also beside Mick at Walkerston who have a story to tell. We thank God and bless all volunteers”.