Bishop Michael’s Letter
29 April, 2025
Greetings from North Sydney.
I send my best wishes to all of you and remembering our Diocese in prayer at this Holy place, the Tomb of St Mary of the Cross, Mackillop while at the Australian Catholic Bishop’s meeting this week and next.
While I was preparing for my journey South, I received the news of the death of Br Ted Magee. Br Ted was recently with us in Rockhampton at the Chrism Mass. Br Ted died on Sunday night and his funeral will be held in Bundaberg at Holy Rosary Church on Wednesday 7th May. Our sympathy goes out to the Christian Brothers, Br Ted’s family and the priests and the parishioners of Bundaberg. Br Ted had significant roles within our Diocese, as Principal of The Cathedral College and Shalom College in Bundaberg and recent years assisting Fr Don with the administration and pastoral work of the Bundaberg Parish. Our prayers go with Br Ted as he makes his way to the House of the Father, and we pray that he is enjoying eternal life.
During this month we also learnt of the death of Pope Francis. Pope Francis has been Pope during these past 12 years. He travelled extensively, to many churches and mostly those that suffered incredible hardship. He recently visited the churches of Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Indonesia and Singapore which typified his interest in churches that were young, growing and struggling. His visits had a great impact on these churches and ensured they had his support and prayers. Pope Francis will be missed as he has been an incredible prophet of hope, bringing hope and peace to our world, and through his letters encouraged us to faithfully follow Christ in our lives. Two notable letters to the Church; Evangelii Gaudium encouraged us to have the Joy of the Gospel in our heart and Laudato Si implored us care for the environment. Cardinal Re in the funeral homily outlined how Pope Francis embraced the papacy with hope and joy as he encountered everyone including refugees, migrants and the poor, and ensured that everyone knew that they were welcomed into the House of the Father.
This coming week will be the beginning of the election of the new successor through the conclave which will begin on Wednesday 7 May. Please pray for whom the Holy Spirit chooses to be our next Pope.
On Holy Saturday night at St Joseph’s, Cathedral, I welcomed seven adults through the waters of baptism. I heard from parishes cross the Diocese that similar numbers were baptised in many of our parishes. It is a great joy to celebrate at the Easter ceremonies, from Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday and to welcome new people into our parish communities through the waters of Baptism.
Our NET Team continues to move around our Diocese, and it is marvellous having these young people in our parish communities and among our young people.
The devastating events of a few weeks ago has left our western lands waterlogged and with loss of a lot of stock. Our thoughts go out to our parish communities and our people who have been affected by these flooding rains. I thank you for supporting the special appeal we ran across the Diocese to support our western brothers and sisters who have been affected.
When I return from Sydney, the Confirmation season begins, this year starting with our young people at the Cathedral and then I begin parish visitations across our diocese.
The first weekend in June, I will be with the Parish Community of Our Lady of the Sacared Heart, Springsure and celebrating with them 100 years of the formation of their parish. In the 1880’s, the priests from Blackall looked after the small Catholic population and in following years, the priests from Emerald made a shorter journey for Mass. This week, I received my program for the first two weeks of June visiting the various communities of the Central West and celebrating Confirmation with our people. I look forward to my visit to this part of the Diocese and to be with those who have lost property and stock because of recent flooding.
Over Easter, I heard from Br Mark McEwan, a De La Salle Brother, teaching at Bethlehem University. I have previously written about the brothers as teachers and for their continuing religious presence in Palestine. Br Mark assured me that the pilgrims had returned to the Holy Land again to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
With best wishes and all of Gods Blessing’s for this Easter Season.
