ISSUE 33 | Summer 2014 FREE Publication of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba Bishop McGuckin shares his Easter Message about the Risen Christ Missionary Innovative Father Byrne’s Sisters of Coffee Outlet Momentous Service Wins Social Farewell at Celebrate Justice Award. the Sacred 50 Years. Heart Parish. CONTENTS HORIZONS is a quarterly magazine produced MILESTONES ............................................................................. 4 by the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba. Grateful acknowledgement to the Catholic Education EASTER REFLECTION ................................................................... 6 Office for their generous contribution to SPIRITUALITY AND MISSION ........................................................... production costs, as well as to our advertisers 7 for their support. Opinions expressed in articles CENTACARE .............................................................................. 8 are not necessarily held by the editor. Please direct any enquiries to: SOCIAL JUSTICE .......................................................................10 Michael Hart, Bishop’s Office, PO Box 756, CARITAS ................................................................................. Toowoomba QLD 4350. Phone: 07 4632 4277. 12 Email: [email protected] SPRED – SPREADING THE CIRCLE OF SPRED ....................................14 Front Cover: Bishop Robert McGuckin with students during a recent visit to Quilpie. ECUMENISM – A REFLECTION ON PEACE AND ECUMENISM ...................15 Graphic Design and Printing: PARISH ..................................................................................16 Thorley Creative 1800 883 454 www.thorleycreative.com.au EDUCATION ............................................................................ 26 DEADLINES YOUTH MINISTRY ..................................................................... 30 New editions will be seasonal. Deadline for the Autumn Edition VOCATIONS VIEW ..................................................................... 33 2014 is 30 May, 2014 LEGACY ................................................................................ 34 WELCOME TO THE NEW LOOK HORIZONS By Michael Hart It is always a challenge to come into an is happening across this enormous self-doubt prevent us from reaching out? existing role and find your place. It has diocese. Through the editing process Finally, I’d like to say a simple been no different for me returning to I got to engage with the very human word about the new look of Horizons. the Diocese of Toowoomba after nearly stories that start to build a picture of Like everything in life there are some 20 years working in the metropolitan enduring faithfulness and commitment. moments that present themselves as Archdiocese of Brisbane. Let me start As we enter into this Easter season an opportunity for change. Hopefully by saying how welcome I have felt and and participate in one of the most the new design assists you, the how proud I am to be a part of this significant times in the liturgical year, reader, to find the articles that most vibrant and alive diocesan community. it is good to stop and reflect upon our interest you. We have attempted to As I started collating the many own times of struggle and ultimate joy. make it contemporary without losing articles for this edition of Horizons It is helpful to take a moment to use the connection to the past. Horizons I was struck by the enormity of the this opportunity to think about how we should feel familiar but also fresh. task that my predecessors, Monique connect with our neighbours and friends. Like always your feedback is very and Sr Eileen, had undertaken over How do we invite them to enter into this welcome. If you have suggestions the years. I was also overwhelmed by important season? Are we welcoming for articles or feature sections please the incredible scope of ministry that and inclusive or does our shyness and send through your thoughts. Subscribe to the Diocesan Update e-Newsletter. A regular e-Newsletter featuring goings on from STAY IN TOUCH across the Diocese keeping everyone up to date on upcoming events, follow up on events already held, with news from topics of interest, dates to remember and more. To sign up simply email communications@twb. across the Diocese cathoic.org.au with “Subscribe” as the subject. 2 / HORIZON HORIZON / 3 REJOICE AND BE GLAD FOR CHRIST IS RISEN From Bishop Robert McGuckin Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation the Joy of the Gospel truly calls all of us to be joyful witnesses in our everyday living. We have journeyed together through Lent and we now joyfully celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. As the disciples on the road to Emmaus took a while before they realised it was the Lord, so we too can be a little slow in coming to the realisation that the risen Lord calls us now as his friends. Like the disciples may our hearts be filled with joy as together we journey with Jesus in this special season. The Church is truly a pilgrim Church. all places we are an Easter people With the news of the resurrection The current Royal Commission into and at all times should be motivated the women at the tomb were filled with Institutional Responses to Child by the presence of the risen Lord. great joy and ran to tell the disciples. Sexual Abuse has shown that at times May together we work harder for May we be filled with great joy and compassion was grossly lacking in the change and be welcoming of people share that good news in our world. way the Church responded to allegations. with compassion and with the love What unique opportunities each of us As Mr Francis Sullivan of the Truth Justice Jesus gives to us and calls us to share has in this regard. May we respond to and Healing Council has stated we must with one another. Pope Francis calls the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord learn to listen to the victims of abuse, to us to go forth to everyone without and reach out to those around us. learn and respond to “get it right”. “Now exception (Joy of the Gospel n.48). As we celebrate Easter we give is a time we stand in the shame, say May the light of risen Christ shine thanks for the wonderful gifts the Lord sorry, work harder and gather all that is brightly in each of us so that others may has so generously given us. These gifts good within the Church to do all it can see that Christ is truly risen. Rejoice and are not earned by us and certainly not to get rid of child sex abuse forever.” be glad for Christ is risen. May we remain deserved but have been freely given. Easter is not just one day. In the in His love and share that love each day. They are not things to be locked away in liturgy we don’t just celebrate one day Bishop Robert McGuckin a bank vault but rather taken out, used or one week. There are seven Sundays Bishop of Toowoomba each day and shared with others. considered as Sundays of Easter. In Easter 2014 2 / HORIZON HORIZON / 3 MISSIONARY SISTERS OF SERVICE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN THE TOOWOOMBA DIOCESE By Sr. Pat Quinn MILESTONES In 2014 the Missionary Sisters of Service will be celebrating 50 years since they arrived in the Toowoomba Diocese. At the same time they are also celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their Congregation in 1944. They are inviting the wider community to join them on this occasion. In May 1964, five Sisters arrived in Toowoomba at the invitation of Bishop Brennan. They came to serve the rural parishes by way of home visits and providing faith education for adults and children. Their travels took them to scattered and isolated communities like Thargomindah, Birdsville and Windorah as well as many districts on the Darling Downs. They stayed with families or at local churches. At that time they were commonly known as the Rosary House Sisters. The Sisters have worked in the Toowoomba Diocese throughout these 50 years in p From left - Pat a great variety of ways. Quinn, Marie Carroll, If families have photos of the Beryl Gleeson, Nancy Doyle, Imelda Sisters in earlier times, the Sisters McMahon, Margaret would appreciate a copy for Windsham, Cecilia display at their Jubilee gathering. Bailey and Mary Cleary. Their celebration will be in Toowoomba at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Sunday 27th April, 2014 and they would like to make contact with people who t From left - Fran have known them in the past. O’Brien, Cecilia Bailey, The celebration includes Mass Joan Shannon, Pat Quinn at 11.30am followed by lunch. To and Julianne Dunn. book in, get in touch with Sr. Mary. To contact the Sisters please phone Sr. Mary Cleary on 07 4634.9786 or email her on [email protected] Her postal address: 4/25a Payne St. Toowoomba, 4350. 4 / HORIZON HORIZON / 5 MILESTONES MISSIONARY SISTERS OF SERVICE MILESTONE! Supporters of the John Wallis Foundation participating in a Tasmanian Bike Ride The Missionary Sisters of Service fields spread throughout Tasmania, within voluntary or church outreach (MSS) celebrates its 70th anniversary South Australia, New South Wales, services may see these grants as of foundation this year. In conjunction Queensland, Melbourne and Singapore. a way to initiate a particular project with this milestone, the newly-formed The John Wallis Foundation seeks to within the overall work of the service. John Wallis Foundation, founded continue the MSS mission by journeying Full details and application by the MSS, invites applications with people in hope, love and support; guidelines are available for its first round of grants. creating opportunities for personal on the website www. The Missionary Sisters of Service and spiritual formation, building johnwallisfoundation.org.au For were founded in Launceston on 8 July community and developing leadership. further information or to submit 1944 by Tasmanian diocesan priest, The Foundation will make funds an application please contact Fr John Wallis and four women, Gwen available to individuals or groups for the Executive Officer of the John Morse, Kathleen Moore, Alice Carroll work in line with the aims and charism Wallis Foundation, Liz McAloon and Joyce O’Brien, were the first to of the Missionary Sisters of Service.