BISHOP Robert McGuckin is still amused at a young lad’s response to a question about his favourite fishing spot.
The response came during the bishop’s recent visits to Catholic schools in western areas of Toowoomba diocese including Charleville, Augathella and Quilpie.
“I can remember in one classroom asking a young boy what he had done during the holiday,” Bishop McGuckin said. “He replied ‘piggin’ and fishin’.”
No doubt the bishop, himself a keen fisherman, understood the boy’s next response.
“I asked him where he had been ‘fishin’’’.
He replied: “‘I’m not telling you’.”
Bishop McGuckin, formerly of Parramatta diocese, had many other memorable moments on his journey west.
“In mid-August I visited Charleville, Augathella and Quilpie for several days,” he said. “It was very dry at the time but the welcome was very warm.
“Father Peter Doohan was a wonderful host and as usual made me very welcome.
“On Saturday afternoon we drove to Augathella and visited the hospital and aged-care facility before celebrating the evening Mass.
“Kangaroos were plentiful and I even had to shoo them off the path as I walked into the hospital.
“Hard to believe … I never had that problem visiting Westmead Hospital.
“On the 80km night trip back to Charleville the kangaroos were mostly well-behaved.
He said Fr Doohan said at Mass the roos must have known he was in the car as they stood to attention as they drove past.
Bishop McGuckin’s other stops on his western trip included celebrating Confirmation and First Communion at Charleville and Quilpie.
“Visiting around the diocese and dropping in on schools is something that I hope to be able to do frequently,” he said.
