News from Mackay
25 November, 2024Bishop Michael was the Guest Speaker at the Catholic Dinner Club on Monday 18th November. Our group now includes women, hence the change in title of our club. There was a good crowd, including three priests, who enjoyed the evening. We were privileged to hear the story of Bishop Michael’s 10 years in the Diocese.
Chairman Cr Peter Sheedy welcomed everyone. The Mary McKillop prayers were read by all and then it was over to Rex for his reflection. This was a compilation of words from Scripture that we can use in troubled time and which will renew and strengthen our faith.
The Bishop talked about his ten years as the Bishop of our Diocese. He posed the question “What does a Bishop do”. He said he could write a book about his ventures; however, his talk was condensed to 20 to 30 minutes, and he gave a very interesting talk.
He was ordained as Bishop to the Diocese of Rockhampton on the 29th of May 2014. His journey started by visiting parishes and experiencing the drought in the west. He turned the first sod at St Brendan’s School in Northern Mackay. He travelled to Rome for the Bishop’s school. Fr Andrew was ordained on 4th December. He has also fitted being guest speaker at our Mackay Men’s dinner. He met with Directors, Councils, Finance teams, and Education and Centacare Executives of the various Catholic entities that the diocese conducts. He finished his first year with college graduation Masses—a busy first year for the Bishop.
The following years were busy. He spoke about the historical sexual abuse that the Royal Commission brought to light. In February 2015 there was Cyclone Marcia. Africa was his destination to visit where Fr Matthias and the other Nigerian priests came from. In between his busy life, he had shoulder surgery. In 2016, during his travels, he confirmed one candidate at Bedourie. He also had listening sessions throughout the Diocese. There were many Catholic Education events. In 2017, the first Holy Land Pilgrimage took place. Fr Alex arrived from Cochin India. Regional Pastoral Councils were formed. At Christmas, the Cathedral looked spectacular in Christmas lights, and Sr Kym’s e-newsletter was well received. In 2018, the Bishop visited Port Moresby for the Federation of Catholic Bishops of Oceania. Fr Matthias and Fr James arrived. During his travels, he visited Frs Hogan and Chase who were studying overseas. He spent Melbourne Cup Day in Bedourie and also went to the Twin Hills Race Meeting and said Mass there. In 2019 there was the adventurous highlight of the year with the Diocesan Assembly. He travelled to Rome for the Australian Bishop’s Ad Limina. 2020 was different: COVID. It impacted all our church communities. We became creative, conducting Mass in empty churches and live-streamed. In 2021 Fr Ashwin Acharya was ordained, and the Bishop was temporarily side-lined in June due to a hip surgery. On Anzac Day in 2022, the Bishop spent a week in rain-soaked and flooded Isisford. World Youth Day was a wonderful highlight as was the ordination of Fr Peter Doherty. He visited our Indian priest’s families in India and lastly made a visit to all colleges. CatholicCare was incorporated. He is now in the current round of college graduation Masses and awards nights.
Graham thanked Bishop Michael for his most interesting talk. He mentioned that the Bishop has made himself available for many dinners in the last nine years. A donation was presented to the Bishop for the Cathedral Restoration. Also, a donation was given to the Street Chaplaincy group.
The next dinner will be on Monday 24th February 2025.
