A QUEENSLAND bishop removed from office in 2011 by Pope Benedict has said Catholic school principals were emerging as the voice and the heartbeat of the Church in local communities and needed to be listened to. Bishop Bill Morris, the former Bishop of Toowoomba, has called for greater dialogue within the Church as a way of moving forward and past ... Read More »

TOWNSVILLE Bishop Tim Harris and Anglican North Queensland Bishop Keith Joseph have issued a joint statement criticising the latest push towards euthanasia by the Queensland Parliament. “As a society we rightly detest murder and suicide: for we rightly hold that human life is precious and should be protected,” the bishops said.  “Euthanasia is carried out either by helping someone end ... Read More »

NEWLY ordained priest Fr Joseph Murphy says he wants to build his ministry around teaching. Whether from the pulpit or in conversation witnessing to his faith in his unique role as a priest, Fr Murphy wants to teach. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher ordained Fr Murphy alongside six other men at St Mary’s Cathedral on August 3. Fr Murphy’s family and ... Read More »

The following is a transcript of a verbal submission by Shalom College, Bundaberg principal Dan McMahon to a Parliamentary Committee’s inquiry into Aged Care. Mr McMahon was jeered at by members of the public while he delivered the submission. He said he was one of three out of 30 submissions that didn’t support legalising Voluntary Assisted Dying. I AM very ... Read More »

TOSSING the disc around is not just a pastime; it’s a high intensity sport and St Margaret Mary’s College, Hyde Park has been putting its mettle to the test. SMMC Year 10 student Casey Dufficey and Year 11 students Georgia Astbury and Lillian Williams were part of the team that won the Australian under 18 Mixed Ultimate Disc Championships held ... Read More »

FR Tom Duncan feels right where he is meant to be serving the People of God and wants to spend his life growing more and more in love with God. “Number-one priority in the long term is a personal one – being able to follow Christ each day and to become more and more like Him in an ongoing conversion,” ... Read More »

STRONG competition was typical among a line-up of 64 teams from across the state for the 2019 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball carnival in Bundaberg recently. Somerset College, Mudgeeraba, won the QISSN Cup with an impressive performance from Rylee Burns, who was named both Player of the Grand Final and Player of the Carnival.  Marymount College, Burleigh Waters, edged out ... Read More »

AUSTRALIAN bishops recently met with Pope Francis at the Vatican as part of their Ad Limina visit, including handing over an Akubra hat as a gift.  “(It was) a truly wonderful meeting with Pope Francis today,” Townsville Bishop Tim Harris said on Twitter on June 24.  “The Pope was listening and we listened to him.  “I think he looks good ... Read More »

STANTHORPE parish priest Fr Brian Connolly had an extra spring in his step on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, or Corpus Christi.  It was the Sunday before his June 27 jubilee anniversary of priestly ordination and St Joseph’s Church, on the Granite Belt in Toowoomba diocese, was overflowing with locals and visitors.  The faithful, including ... Read More »