Letter from Bishop Michael
15 September, 2022Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ
I will be on holidays when this next edition of the Diocesan newsletter comes to you. For those taking time off during the September school holidays, I pray you have a safe and relaxing time.
Since our last newsletter I had continued travelling for Confirmations with our young people in the Southern Mackay Cluster and in the Valleys Region Parish of our Diocese. I will be continuing with Confirmations in the Peak Downs and Blackwater in October when I return from leave. This will finish my travels for Sacraments for this year. My office is currently in the process of planning next year’s schedule for these already with our parish offices.
As part of my visit to Biloela in the Valleys Region, I had the honour to met up with the Murugappan family, Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharnicaa, who had asked to see me to thank them for the letter of support I had written on their behalf. This was such a sad story that they were taken from a community where they felt safe and at home, and for such a long period of time. It was a great joy to see them back in Biloela not long after they returned, and the community rejoicing around them to have them home. I thank all the Biloela community and all who prayed, worked and petitioned to have the Murugappans allowed to return to their home. I also thank the Labour government for their action to resolve this matter in a humane way. While this was a happy result for this family, we must not forget the millions of refugees across the world currently who are desperate to seek a new, peaceful life for themselves and their families. May we work to provide them with some hope and a welcoming door.
At the end of the month I will be attending the Twin Hills Races, Rodeo and Campdraft and say Mass with the community gathered there for the event. I will also be attending the Ignite Youth Conference in Brisbane and meeting up with our Diocesan delegation attending the event. You will see more information on these next month.
With every blessing
