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COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
COME AND SEE
                             Reflection on Admission as
                              Candidate for Holy Orders
                                    New Cultural Centre
                                 a Contemporary Space
                                     Aussie Citizenship
        FREE Publication
#60     of the Catholic
        Diocese of
                           a Proud Moment for Fr Hermi
MAR21   Toowoomba
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
Horizons is a conduit for news and information, helping to bind the
    FROM THE                                                Toowoomba Diocese together. The magazine aims to promote the
                                                            work of our Diocese’s Parishes and Ministries so God’s mercy, love
    EDITOR                                                  and the joy of the Gospel are experienced, celebrated and shared.
    INGRID MCTAGGART
                                                            We wish to acknowledge the Aboriginal people God placed
                                                            upon this land, the first custodians and caretakers of the land
                                                            upon which we now build our lives and gather to worship. We
    This pandemic continues to affect us in
    profound ways. As with my last “From
                                                            also pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
    the Editor”, I am still in reflective mode,
    particularly about my relationships. Over
    the years, I’ve joked that I would have
    no problems packing up and becoming
                                                            CONTENTS
    a hermit, “Ugh people, am I right?”. But
                                                            COVER STORIES:
    I might be wrong; I’ve miscalculated
    how much I might be a people-person                        COME AND SEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      9
    or at least a my-people-person.
                                                               REFLECTION ON ADMISSION AS CANDIDATE FOR HOLY ORDERS. . . 14
    For the past five years, I’ve been
    ordering the Lenten and Advent                             NEW CULTURAL CENTRE A CONTEMPORARY SPACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
    programs from Wollongong Diocese.                          AUSSIE CITIZENSHIP A PROUD MOMENT FOR FR HERMI . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
    I have been in awe of the work
    and attention to detail in these                        CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
    resources. While I might not follow
    them from cover to cover, I love to                     EDUCATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
    take a quiet minute and randomly
    open to a page to seek inspiration.
                                                            PARISH LIFE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

    It warms my heart now to read the
    acknowledgements at the front and
    think, “Oooh I know these guys!”. I get
                                                        I’m privileged to be on the ACPA                                     looking for inspiration, I pick up this
    that same feeling looking at publications
                                                        Executive at this time as secretary.                                 year’s Lenten Program, “Comfort”,
    and resources from across the country,
    knowing that many of these people                   At the handful of executive meetings                                 randomly flicking to a page. I look to
    are not just colleagues, but there is               since my election, I’m again reminded                                the bottom of page 43 and see:
    also camaraderie and friendship.                    of how much I value colleagues from
                                                        across the country. As with everyone in                              Lord, help me to be nourished
    A big factor in this feeling is being               the era of COVID-19, I am heartbroken
                                                                                                                             by the life of grace you have
    a part of the Australiasian Catholic                that we didn’t get together face to face
                                                        last year, and this year is looking like
                                                                                                                             lavish upon me and bring
    Press Association (ACPA). While
    I’m a very small fry compared to                    it still won’t be business as usual.                                 forth an abundance of good
    many of the members, it has been                                                                                         fruit in my life. Amen.
    such a wonderful outlet for making                  Surrounded by grace personally
    connections outside of my diocese                   and professionally, the hermit isn’t                                 It’s suddenly dusty in here, or
    and different Catholic entities.                    a hermit after all. And true to form                                 someone’s cutting onions...

    Horizons is a quarterly magazine produced by the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba. The Diocese acknowledges with gratitude the contribution made by
    the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office to production costs, as well as the support by our advertisers. Horizons is a member of the Australasian Catholic
    Press Association (ACPA). Opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily held by the editor. Enquiries: Ingrid McTaggart, Communications Office,
    PO Box 756, Toowoomba QLD 4350. Phone: 07 4632 4277. Email: horizons@twb.catholic.org.au
    Front Cover: Project Compassion Launch Mass, St Patrick’s Cathedral 14 February 2021
    Graphic Design: Greenridge Group 07 4659 1444. Deadlines: Editions will be quarterly. Content for May Edition 2021 is due 5th April 2021.

2   Horizons
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
Priests of the Toowoomba Diocese with Bishop Robert McGuckin and Bishop Bill Morris
                                                                                        enjoyed their annual retreat at the James Byrne Centre in early January.

By the time this issue of “Horizons”         petty securities and compensations                     Brisbane (available as a podcast)
comes out, we will well and truly be         which limit our horizon, it can open us                evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/lenten-
into 2021. Schools are back, and in fact,    up to grand ideals that make life more                 program/ or “Comfort” from the Diocese
Term 1 is almost over. Lent began on 17th    beautiful and worthwhile” (FT#55)                      of Wollongong www.dow.org.au/shop/.
February, and 4th April is Easter Sunday.
                                             The Pope, in his message for Lent,                     Project Compassion is a way where we
During this COVID 19 pandemic, we            continues this theme. He has titled                    can reach out and show our solidarity
have been fortunate in our part of the       his message “Lent: a Time for                          with those in need. Contact www.
world, especially in our diocese. We         Renewing Faith, Hope and Love”.                        caritas.org.au or call 1800 024 413.
may think that some of the restrictions
with which we have to abide are              We might ask ourselves what we                         Pope Francis, in his Lenten
somewhat burdensome. We are part             should we do during Lent? Perhaps in                   Message, encourages us:
of a larger community and need to            the past, certain practices were more
                                                                                                  “Dear brothers and sisters, every
consider the well-being of everyone. I       clearly laid out before us. Lent, as
                                                                                                   moment of our lives is a time for
hope we are able to see these things         we know, is a time of fasting, prayer
                                                                                                   believing, hoping and loving. The
in the light of the common good, where       and almsgiving. As to how each of us
                                                                                                   call to experience Lent as a journey
we are members of a common family,           manages, that is left to individual choice.
                                                                                                   of conversion, prayer and sharing of
where we are all brothers and sisters.
                                                                                                   our goods, helps us – as communities
                                             We mostly live very busy lives, where
                                                                                                   and as individuals – to revive the faith
Pope Francis, in his recent encyclical       our every hour in the day is occupied.                that comes from the living Christ, the
letter “Fratelli Tutti”, on fraternity and   We need to reflect on and evaluate                    hope inspired by the breath of the
social friendship, invites everyone to       what we regard as essential. If our                   Holy Spirit and the love flowing from
renewed hope. The Pope quoting from          value systems are not distorted, I would              the merciful heart of the Father.”
a speech he gave to young people             think we will find that we can make
in Cuba in 2015 said, “Hope speaks           some time for what is important during                 May this be a hope filled Lent
to us of something deeply rooted in          Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.                  and a joy filled Easter.
every human heart, independently
of our circumstances and historical          You may wish to participate in a                       Bishop Robert McGuckin
condition… Hope is bold, it can look         Lenten program, either “Look to                        Bishop of Toowoomba
beyond personal convenience, the             Jesus” from the Archdiocese of                         March 2021

                                                                                                                                                   Horizons        3
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
Tom Jolley, Kathy Bizzell and Barbara Nuss in 1996.

    LONG                                        with a workmate with whom she
                                                job shared. This workmate was
                                                                                                 have been mainstays. With a sense
                                                                                                 of coming full circle, 2019 saw them

    SERVICE TO                                  Kathy. Tom welcomed both to the
                                                diocese with the ladies commencing
                                                                                                 return to almost the same office space
                                                                                                 they first occupied with the diocesan
    THE DIOCESE                                 work at the end of October 1995.                 offices moving to Bishop’s House.

    RECOGNISED                                  When Tom, Kathy and Barbara started
                                                working for the Toowoomba diocese,
                                                                                                 Kathy’s 25 years of service was
                                                                                                 recognised by diocesan staff late
    INGRID MCTAGGART                            they were located in Bishop’s House’s            last year with a morning tea and gifts
                                                on Margaret Street. Not long after,              presentation. At the small gathering,
                                                The Shrine in Ruthven Street was                 Tom described Kathy as “a loyal,
    For the Toowoomba Diocese’s Finance         refurbished to include office space, and         dedicated, hardworking member of
    and Administration team, information        the trio moved to a more functional              this team right from the beginning and
    and support are their stock and trade.      area. With the passage of time and               the work that you do and the reliability
    The quality of the service they provide     the flux of staff, both Tom and Kathy            and quality of it is essential to us.”
    comes back to the dedicated staff. The
    office’s through-line has been Tom Jolley
    and Kathy Bizzell, serving the diocese
    for 26 and 25 years, respectively.

    In 1994 when Tom took over from
    Margaret Walsh as the diocese’s
    accountant, a staffing agreement
    change meant that the diocese would
    no longer have access to the Catholic
    Education Office finance staff. The
    Melbourne CDF manager at the time
    suggested Tom contact someone who
    had worked for him previously who
    was now in Toowoomba. That person
    was Barbara Nuss. Tom located her at
    a small St George branch and boldly
    walked in one day to offer her a job.

    At the time, Barbara turned down the
    offer. However, she later changed
    her mind and made her own bold
    counter offer, saying that she came
                                                                                           Kathy Bizzell and Tom Jolly back in the same office space in 2020.

4   Horizons
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
SR AMY
CALDWELL
SR RUTH DURICK,
PROVINCE LEADER -
AUSTRALIAN URSULINES

                                           Sr Amy Caldwell (centre) with some Mitchell parishioners.

Many in the Toowoomba Diocese             I assumed the challenge to go to
would know Sr Amy Caldwell from her       Mitchell, a remote western town
years spent at Our Lady of Lourdes        600 kms from Brisbane, where
School Newtown as a young Ursuline        there was no resident priest.”
teacher (1956) and as principal (1972
-1977). Amy also served as an educator    In February 1998, she was officially                                                       Sr Amy Caldwell

in Ursuline schools in Armidale and       commissioned by Bishop Bill Morris in
Brisbane and in the parish school of      the parish of St Columba’s Mitchell as
St Vincent’s Aranda in the ACT.           the Pastoral Leader. She was the first                       Mitchell there developed a deep sense
                                          woman to be appointed to this role in                        of mutuality, of love and support.
In the 1980’s Sr Amy moved more into      the diocese and worked closely with                          She was always grateful for the
adult faith formation and pastoral care   a Parish Leadership Team. Sr Amy                             community who supported, affirmed
in Canberra before venturing back to      was an active member of the Mitchell                         and cared for her and with whom she
Toowoomba. In 1995 she undertook a        community for twelve years. She led                          shared great love and friendship.
completely new ministry with Voluntary    baptismal and funeral liturgies and
                                          Liturgy of the Word, always assisted                         Sr Amy never retired. Even when she
Isolated Student Education (VISE)
                                          by a small team. Sr Amy spoke of the                         needed to go into care, she carried
Queensland. She did nine placements
                                          vitality and teamwork in the parish and                      out the call of the Gospel among the
over three years in various parts of
                                          the wider Mitchell community, “The                           residents and staff. The readings she
western Queensland. For someone who
grew up in suburban Sydney, this was      people lead the parish in administration,                    chose for her final celebration of life
a great change for Sr Amy. The work       finance, pastoral care of the sick,                          say it all. “Be ambitious for the higher
involved tutoring children of families    and the day to day needs. A strong                           gifts…. these three remain: faith, hope
on the properties and supporting rural    inter-faith spirit joins the churches                        and love. But the greatest of these is
women who were often isolated.            together, and there is an excellent                          love” 1Cor13:9 and the guiding light of
                                          relationship. Our Parish Director travels                    her life’s journey, Jesus, who said: “I am
Sr Amy grew to love the life of rural     from Roma twice a month for Mass,                            the Way, the Truth and the Life.” Jn.14:6
communities. When an opportunity          and the remaining weekends we
came to serve in the parish of                                                                         Sr Amy Caldwell died on 6 February,
                                          have lay-led liturgies. I give pastoral
Mitchell, she was ready to go with                                                                     aged 90 years. Her funeral was held
                                          support to the parish school.”
great eagerness. She wrote, “Being                                                                     on 10 February, at St Francis Xavier’s
inspired by the needs of rural people,    In the years that Sr Amy was at                              Catholic Church, in Ashbury, NSW.

                                                                                                                                        Horizons       5
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
NEW CHURCH PROTOCOL
    PUBLISHED FOR RESPONDING
    TO SEXUAL ABUSE
    ACBC MEDIA

    A new protocol introduced in             have been put in place in recent              “One of the strengths of the new
    early February 2021 provides a           years,” Bishops Conference president          protocol is that it provides a single
    framework for Catholic entities across   Archbishop Mark Coleridge said.               national framework, which will ensure
    Australia to respond consistently        “The adoption and implementation              a consistent approach to the handling
    to people raising concerns or            of the National Response Protocol is          of concerns and allegations.”
    allegations of child sexual abuse.       an important step forward, and we
                                             thank those who have brought this             Towards Healing and The Melbourne
    The National Response Protocol,          thorough process to completion.”              Response continue to be valid until the
    which the Australian Catholic                                                          end of 2021 while Church authorities
    Bishops Conference adopted at its        The implementation of the National            implement the National Response
    November 2020 plenary meeting, is        Response Protocol from February               Protocol locally. The National Response
    the product of two years of work and     1 will mean that Towards Healing              Protocol will be monitored regularly
    widespread consultation within and       and The Melbourne Response will               to allow for ongoing refinement
    beyond the Church. That consultation     be phased out. “Pioneering in some            and improvement. It will be sent
    included engagement with victims         ways when set up in the 1990s, the            to the Holy See for approval.
    and survivors and their advocates.       two earlier protocols have been much
                                             criticised, in large part because of          The National Response Protocol
    “The Church continues to work hard       inconsistent or incomplete application,”      is available at: www.catholic.org.
    to strengthen the safeguards that        Archbishop Coleridge explained.               au/nationalresponseprotocol

                                                                             At St. Vincent’s Private Hospital
                                                                             Toowoomba, we focus on
                                                                             providing a comprehensive
                                                                             medical approach for the aging
                                                                             population of Toowoomba and
                                                                             surrounding regions.
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                                                                             Emergency Care / Gerontology / Neurology / Stroke
                                                                             Wound Management / Orthopaedic Services / Rehab
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6   Horizons
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
IT’S NOT LEFT V RIGHT:
COMPASSIONATE CARE AT END OF LIFE
DR MARK COPLAND, MISSION EXECUTIVE, ST
VINCENT’S PRIVATE HOSPITAL TOOWOOMBA

The establishment of the Toowoomba           Care, and Voluntary Assisted Dying”. The      same time announced $6.5 million for
Hospice was a response to euthanasia         analysis makes for interesting reading.       the introduction of VAD. At the time
legislation introduced into the Northern     “God” was the only religious term             estimates predicted that 150 people
Territory in 1995. Initially the vision      used in submissions, only appearing           would access VAD a year. So in other
of the late Sr Francis Flint csb OAM, a      84 times for the case against VAD             words, $23.4 million was directed
groundswell of community support for         and 42 times in the case for VAD. The         towards 10,000 people and $6.5
high quality end of life care saw the        absence of a religious focus may reflect      million for an estimated 150 people.
hospice open its doors 1 July 2003. The      a growing secularisation in our society.
Toowoomba Hospice is an independent,                                                       In September last year, Victoria’s
non-denominational community                 The Queensland Bioethics Centre               Assisted Dying Review Board reported
facility governed by the Management          describes the division between those          124 deaths by assisted suicide and
Committee on behalf of the Toowoomba         for and against VAD follow individual         euthanasia during its first year of
Hospice Association. The facility            and community lines. The pro                  operation. The US state of Oregon
provides free palliative and respite         submissions emphasised the “rights            has had VAD type legislation for 21
care to adults with a terminal illness.      of the individual”. They don’t want           years. Some telling statistics show
                                             their loved ones to suffer, and they          29.8% cited pain control as a reason
The issue of euthanasia, now more            want to have the power themselves             for accessing euthanasia, whereas
commonly referred to as voluntary            to prevent their own suffering. Anti-         51.9% gave, “being a burden on family,
assisted dying, is brought to the fore for   VAD submissions tended to view the            friends and caregivers” as a reason.
Queenslanders again. Before the 2020         community as a whole. They highlighted        The racial and educational background
state election, Queensland Premier           what the intended legislation would           of those using VAD shows that white
Annastacia Palaszczuk promised               mean for the most vulnerable. Those           people will be 35 times more likely to
that ALP Members of Parliament               opposed to VAD see the legislation            access this option. This same group
would be allowed a conscience vote           as a failure of the state to protect the      will have a high level of education.
with legislation brought before the          common good and the public interest.
parliament in February 2021. We revisit                                                    Catholic healthcare has a proud tradition
the same issues around end of life           One of the dangers of introducing             of providing compassionate end of life
care that we faced back in the late          VAD legislation is that it can jeopardise     care dating back to 1890 in Australia.
1990s/early 2000s when Sr Francis            high-quality palliative care provision.       The proposed VAD legislation in
lobbied for the Toowoomba Hospice.           Australian ethicist Dr Daniel Fleming         Queensland will not address the great
                                             cites Palliative Care Victoria highlighting   need for better palliative care services
The arguments around voluntary               the disparity between those needing           across our state, especially in regional
assisted dying (VAD) do not fit the          and those receiving compassionate             areas and amongst our most vulnerable
old left-right categories. It is not         care. Of the 40,000 Victorians who            communities. The late Sr Frances Flint
conservative Christians standing against     die every year close to 10,000 do not         and the Toowoomba Hospice have
euthanasia versus the godless lefties        have access to universally agreed             demonstrated that there is another way.
advocating for it. The Queensland            upon compassionate care methods.
                                             The funding required to fill this gap         Statistics source: Flemming, D. (25/3/2019). “The
Bioethics Centre closely analysed
                                                                                           compassionate state? Voluntary Assisted Dying,
1119 submissions made to the 2018            is estimated at $62 million. In 2018          neoliberalism and the problem of virtue without an
                                                                                           anchor” ABC Religion & Ethics Retrieved February 2021
“Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry in         the Andrews Government committed              https://www.abc.net.au/religion/compassionate-state-
Aged Care, End-of-Life and Palliative        $23.4 million towards this but at the         voluntary-assisted-dying-neoliberalism-and/10937504

                                                                                                                                         Horizons   7
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
EXPANDED
    SERVICES SET TO
    HELP SEPARATING
    FAMILIES
    SHARYN WAGNER

    An affordable option for separating       Toowoomba FRC Team Leader Morgen            property following separation.”
    couples to resolve their property         Grigg said the property mediation service
    disputes is now available at the          had the potential to save separating        Mediation at the FRC is accessible
    Toowoomba Family Relationship             families thousands while helping them to    to all separating couples, regardless
    Centre (FRC). Federal Government          reach an early and amicable resolution of   of whether they have children and
    funding has allowed FRCs across           their property issues. “The government      whether they were married or in a de
    Australia to expand their family law      funding for property mediation was          facto relationship. The centre offers
    services to include low or no-cost        prompted by the Australian Law Reform       additional supports for vulnerable
    family law property mediation.            Commission report into the family law       clients and those from Indigenous
                                              system which found that family dispute      or culturally diverse backgrounds.
    The Toowoomba FRC has taken it a          resolution (FDR) was an under-used
                                              pathway for property issues,” Morgen        There is no means test to access the
    step further by bringing local lawyers
                                              said. “Even among former couples with       FRC, with mediation fees based on each
    on board to support clients to make
    informed decisions about their property   very modest asset pools—$40,000 or          client’s income. For people earning
    division following separation. Clients    less—the use of lawyers and courts is       less than $50,000, mediation is free.
    attending property mediation at the       more common than the use of FDR.            For those earning over $50,000, a
    FRC can opt to obtain legal advice        The Toowoomba FRC has created a             fee of $60 applies for the first three-
    and support at the mediation at a         unique opportunity for clients to obtain    hour mediation session. The FRC has
    significantly discounted rate, thanks     good legal advice while going through       negotiated discounted fixed fees for
    to a unique partnership between the       mediation to reach their own agreement      clients with partner legal firms where
    Toowoomba FRC and regional law firms.     about how they want to divide their         clients opt to involve lawyers.

8   Horizons
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
COME AND SEE                                    the impacts upon those residents at
                                                Cherbourg. The museum tells the
                                                                                             I responded to an invitation to come
                                                                                             and see something of the experiences
                                                story from their perspective and from        of First Nations peoples forced to live
DR DAVID TUTTY                                  their experiences. For this reason, it       in Cherbourg. This invitation was not
                                                was important to come and see.               about making me or any of the group
                                                                                             feel guilty because of the past. Its
                                                Jesus invited those who wanted to            hope was that we grow in empathy for
Recently I was invited to join a group          know where he lived to come and
visiting the Ration Shed Museum in                                                           those who suffered this injustice. Its
                                                see. In a story in the first chapter         hope is that we also grow in courage
Cherbourg. The group’s purpose was              of John’s gospel, Jesus takes the
to come and see something of the                                                             to share what we have learnt so
                                                first disciples to the place he was          that a different future is possible.
story of the Cherbourg Reserve and              staying, and they stayed with him
learn of the harsh realities experienced        the rest of the day. Through their           It is only when we risk responding to
by its Aboriginal inmates. This visit to        choice to come and see, Andrew was           the invitation to come and see, do we
this museum was in the hope that we             able to see Jesus in a new light.            see that First Nations peoples were
who shared the experience will add                                                           treated as less than human and this
our voices in telling the truth of this         Jesus continues to invite us to come and     lessened our humanity as well. To
raw and painful history of the First            see. Matthew, at the end of chapter 25,      come and see means to come with
Nations peoples in Queensland.                  tells a parable about the final judgment.    an openness to grow in empathy
                                                He has followers asking questions.           and to deepen our sense of what it
Cherbourg, like other Aboriginal                “When did we see you hungry and feed         means to be Christian. To come and
reserves in Queensland, was created             you, or thirsty and give you a drink?        see helps us understand the real
because of the Aboriginals Protection           When did we see you a stranger and           needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act        make you welcome, lacking clothes            Islander peoples and how we can walk
in 1897. This Act sought to control the         and clothe you? When did we find you         alongside them in their seeking justice.
movement, labour, children and personal         sick or in prison and go to see you?
property of Aboriginal and Torres Strait        And Jesus has the king replying, “in so      The Queensland Government is
islanders. First Nations peoples from           far as you did this to one of the least of   beginning a treaty process with First
all over Queensland were taken by               these brothers [and sisters] of mine, you    Nations peoples. This will only be
force from their Country and put in             did it to me”. Through the experience        successful if we deliberately seek
reserves while their lands were taken           of being alongside the least of our          opportunities to come and see the
from them. A superintendent had the             sisters and brothers, Jesus calls the        reality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
power to micromanage their lives and            disciples to see them in a new light.        Islander experiences. We need to
could punish at will. The most feared                                                        understand history better, and we need
punishment was to be sent to another            The first disciples were invited to come     to be part of the truth-telling that is
reserve and never see family and friends        and see Jesus in the flesh. We are           required so that justice is possible.
again. This happened many times.                invited to come and see Jesus in the
                                                places where he can be experienced           To come and see places like the Ration
Along the wall of the Ration Shed               today. Our Catholic tradition has            Shed Museum is an opportunity for
Museum is a timeline with headings              emphasised prayer, scripture and             growth in faith and love. I am grateful
like invasion, dispossession,                   receiving Eucharist as privileged ways       that I was invited to come and see, and
protection, living under the Act, the           of experiencing Jesus. Alongside these       I am also grateful for the warm welcome
dormitory system, assimilation and              ways, Matthew 25 teaches us that in          of Uncle Eric Law. I encourage you all
more. Under these headings was a                responding to the needs of the least         also to respond to the Ration Shed
description of what happened and                in our midst, we respond to Jesus.           Museum’s invitation to come and see.

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                                                                                                                              Horizons   9
COME AND SEE Reflection on Admission as Candidate for Holy Orders New Cultural Centre a Contemporary Space Aussie Citizenship a Proud Moment for ...
YEAR OF
     ST JOSEPH

     On December 8 2020, Pope Francis           St Joseph running from December          of St Joseph’s life and character will
     published an Apostolic Letter,             8 2020 to December 8 2021.               be shared. The first three reflections
     “Patris corde (With a Father’s                                                      are now available on the site, written
     Heart)”, commemorating the 150th           The Australian Catholic Bishops          by Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Sr
     anniversary of Saint Joseph’s              Conference (ACBC) has set up a web       Michele Connolly and Robert Falzon.
     declaration as Patron of the Universal     page that will be updated with prayers   Visit catholic.org.au/yearofstjoseph
     Church. To mark the occasion, the          and other resources. Each month,         for resources to help celebrate
     Holy Father has proclaimed a Year of       a reflection on the various aspects      the Year of St Joseph.

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10   Horizons
A UNIQUE
JOURNEY
MARY OTTO

Driving into Bourke late one afternoon
in May 2018, I took a call from a young
man living in Birdsville enquiring
about the RCIA process. That call was
to be the beginning of an enriching
journey. Over more than two years,
Kevin Scott and I shared stories and
reflections around various themes
                                                                    Family and friends gather in Birdsville to see Kevin Scott (centre) complete his RCIA journey.
and subjects, leading us to a deeper
understanding of what it means to
be a member of the Body of Christ.
                                             following his return to Birdsville. As is               At dawn the following morning, down by
Each week, late on Monday                    always the case in Birdsville, we had to                the lagoon, Edward and Louis Hussey,
afternoon, Kevin and I began our             wait for either the hot summer months to                children of Karen and David Hussey, and
communication and sessions with                                                                      grandchildren of Nell and David Brooks,
                                             pass or for floodwaters to recede before
our computer screens open and                                                                        were baptised by Fr Brian, with close
                                             the ceremony could occur. We were
phones on speaker. Over the months                                                                   family and friends present. Following the
                                             almost ready to go in the autumn of
and years, that method transformed                                                                   baptism, Kevin and Jess continued with
                                             2020 when COVID-19 put restrictions on
into using Messenger, enabling us                                                                    their incredible hospitality with breakfast
                                             travel. While we waited for borders to
to see each other as we shared                                                                       for my husband and I out on the big red
                                             open and the seasons to be right, Kevin
experiences throughout the journey.                                                                  sand dune some 30 kilometres out of
                                             and I continued with regular sessions.
                                                                                                     town. Standing in the cool sand in the
Then parish priest of Coober Pedy, Fr                                                                early morning sunlight, encountering
                                             Finally, on 5 November, in the cool
Brian Matthews, a friend of Kevin and                                                                only kangaroos and brolgas along the
                                             of the late afternoon (the maximum
his wife Jess, remained in contact with                                                              way, and sharing breakfast under a
us regularly taking an interest in Kevin’s   temperature that day was only 29
                                                                                                     low sky that stretched for seemingly
progress. During the journey, Kevin          degrees), we saw years of preparation
                                                                                                     ever, the experience was sublime.
and Jess were married in Adelaide just       come to fruition. At the Tourist
before Easter 2019, with Fr Brian as         Information Centre, and with social
                                                                                                     I feel privileged to have come to know
the celebrant. While honeymooning in         distancing in mind, about 20 people                     Kevin and his family and Fr Brian
Rome, Kevin and Jess felt especially         gathered to celebrate Mass, during                      Matthews through the RCIA journey.
blessed to attend Mass at St Peter’s         which Kevin was received into full                      Their friendship, the celebration of the
Basilica on Easter Sunday morning            communion with the Church. Coming                       relevant rites, the hospitality and the
with Pope Francis presiding. In the          from opposite directions, Fr Brian flew                 welcome experienced in Birdsville were
meantime, Fr Brian moved from Coober         from Jamestown, South Australia, and I                  unique. Uniquely Australian in a way
Pedy to Jamestown as parish priest.          flew from Toowoomba. Following Mass,                    that living in an isolated town brings; a
                                             Kevin and Jess celebrated the occasion                  deep connection with people, a sense of
For the rest of 2019, Kevin continued        by hosting dinner with Fr Brian, myself,                timelessness, loving respect for the land
sessions with me over the months             family and friends at the Birdsville Hotel.             and an awareness of the sacred in all.

                                                                                                                                                     Horizons        11
Symbolic well water feature will be a place of calm at Sychar.

     GARDEN OASIS TAKES
     SHAPE AT SYCHAR
     INGRID MCTAGGART

     Sychar House of Prayer and Spirituality   where scripture tells us that Jesus         with us. We wish you and Cheryl
     has been established at 69 Margaret       encountered a Samaritan woman               every blessing in the years ahead.”
     Street in response to the Diocesan        at the well. It has always been Sr
     Pastoral Plan promulgated in June         Elaine’s desire to have a symbolic          The feature consisting of an upturned
     2018. Part of the initial idea for a      well built in the garden under the          tree stump holding a sphere made
     diocesan spirituality centre was to       palm tree. In January, this dream           of rusted barbed wire is intended
     “nurture a contemplative stance to        became a reality. Greg Andersen,            to draw us into solidarity with our
     life.” This vision for Sychar continues   a former parishioner at Our Lady of         suffering world. Paul, Loretta and
     to unfold. From the outset, Sr Elaine     Lourdes, was instrumental in enlisting      Will Coman provided us with the
     Morzone, Sychar Coordinator,              the assistance of John Higgins and          essential elements of the sculpture
     recognised that the programs and          his team from Toowoomba Pools               which were then placed by Mitch Hill.
     interactions within the building need     and Spas in building a magnificent          Krys Keryk contributed the finishing
     to be complemented by an outdoor          sandstone construction which is a great     touch by arranging the border.
     environment that creates an atmosphere    tribute to their skill and generosity.
     of peace and contemplative reflection.    Apart from a token contribution, they       Three garden stations
                                               carried the costs for this project.
     A transformation of variety and                                                       will be set up as
                                               Sr. Elaine has indicated how very
     colour has taken place in the
                                               grateful she is to Greg for his efforts.
                                                                                           places of prayer:
     garden area during the past nine
     months as Krys Keryk has very             In her words: “Greg, many thanks            1. The Well of Encounter
     generously invested herself in the        for your efforts in moving the project
                                               along – it is a worthy testament to         2. Oneness in the Mystery
     role of gardener extraordinaire.                                                         of Suffering
                                               your commitment to the Toowoomba
     The spirituality centre is named          diocese. You have left the diocese          3. Creation: God’s First
     after the Samaritan town Sychar,          but your presence remains here                 Incarnation

12   Horizons
“Creation: God’s First Incarnation”.

Taking shape: mid construction of the well.

                                              “Oneness in the Mystery of Suffering”

             Mitch Hill planting the stump.

                                                                       Horizons         13
Back row: Fr Tom Duncan, Fr Gonzalo Garcia Duran, Bishop Robert McGukin, Fr John Grace (Seminary Rector),
                                                        Fr Paul Chandler (Seminary Spiritual Director); Front row: Michal Tran (Seminarian), Louie Jimenez (Seminarian),
                                                            Nathan Webb (Seminarian), Sean Woods (Seminarian), and Alan Borck (Server) (Photo Credit: Brian Hobson)

                                                way last year when I was admitted                           on the part of the aspirant (come
     REFLECTION ON                              as a Candidate for Holy Orders.                             candidate) and an affirmation on

     ADMISSION AS                               Following what I understand
                                                as a call to priesthood, I have
                                                                                                            the part of the Church (represented
                                                                                                            by the bishop with the community
     CANDIDATE FOR                              spent the last few years pursuing
                                                                                                            present). Up until being admitted as a
                                                                                                            Candidate, the aspirant has discerned
     HOLY ORDERS                                formation for the priesthood. This
                                                has taken me through five years
                                                                                                            the vocation for himself with the Holy
                                                                                                            Spirit. Candidacy is the first formal
                                                at Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo.
     NATHAN WEBB                                                                                            recognition of the vocation in the
                                                Last year, the Seminary program                             eyes of the Church. So, standing
                                                meant that I was privileged to test                         in front of the Church to make this
                                                my vocation back in the Toowoomba                           commitment was quite an experience.
     1 Samuel 3 recounts the story of           Diocese, working alongside Fr
     the Lord calling Samuel. The young                                                                     Firstly, it was strange, after five years
                                                Gonzalo Garcia Duran in Chinchilla.
     lad had already been in training in                                                                    as a seminarian, to finally make the
                                                It was a great joy to learn from and
     the temple for some years under Eli.                                                                   first formal statement of resolve to
                                                with the people of the parishes of
     After he recognised and responded                                                                      prepare for ordination. There have
                                                Chinchilla, Miles and Taroom-Wandoan
     to the Lord’s call, he did not begin his                                                               been many little steps along the way,
                                                and the broader communities. I
     work as a prophet right away. Rather,                                                                  but this was something different.
                                                feel that I learnt much and certainly
     he continued working with Eli, grew                                                                    There was a gravity and resonance
                                                have much on which to reflect.
     in the ways of the Lord, and was                                                                       that was new and fascinating.
     accepted in time by the people among       At the end of this time, after
                                                                                                            Secondly, for me, Candidacy was also
     whom he was called to minister.            consulting the local feedback team,
                                                                                                            an experience of the Church. As I stood
                                                the seminary invited me to apply
     This is the story of Samuel’s call, but                                                                in the front pew of a church, the fullest
                                                to the diocese for Candidacy.
     it is also the story of God’s call to                                                                  it had been all year, I realised that the
     each of us. I realised this in a new       Candidacy is a sign of commitment                           people were not there just for me; the

14   Horizons
Webb Family with Fr Gonzo Garcia Duran after Mass with the Rite of
                                                                                  Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders. (Photo Credit: Brian Hobson)

congregation was a loud testimony         preparation to take up this ministry.             This year I have returned to the
to the support of the faithful to the                                                       seminary with its full regime of prayer,
                                          My thanks go out to all those who
ministry of Christ through His priests.                                                     community life, study, and practical
                                          have prayed for me and supported me               training. It is my resolve to make
I learnt that the acceptance of a         in other ways throughout the year: in             the most of the finite experience
candidate for Holy Orders has joyful      particular, Fr Gonzalo who supervised             that is life at the seminary. By doing
significance both for the candidate and   and mentored me for the year; Fr                  so, and with God’s grace, I hope to
also the community. For me, it marks
                                          Frank Jones, the director of Pastoral             engage fruitfully and wholeheartedly
a point of transition from the years
                                          Formation in the Seminary Program;                with the opportunities it offers in
of training to specific preparation for
                                          the feedback team that represented                preparation for the ministry.
Orders (like an engagement includes
intentional preparation for marriage).    a variety of my engagements in the                I ask for your prayers in this: That I
For the community, it was a testament     parish and offered helpful insights into          might grow in the likeness of Christ so
to their support of the ministry          my engagements in the community;                  as to minister faithfully and humbly, in
of Christ in the Church and their         and the wider community in their                  due course, with reverence both at the
assistance of candidates during their     various and individual ways.                      altar of God and among God’s people.

                                                                                                                                         Horizons        15
CLAY IN THE
     POTTER’S HANDS:
     REFLECTIONS
     ON THE PRIESTLY
     MINISTRY OF OUR
     RETIRED CLERGY
     FR MICHAEL O’BRIEN

     Way back through the corridors of
     time, an energetic young priest arrived
     for his first posting as a curate at St
     Patrick’s Cathedral in 1962. He must
     have been full of energy and zeal for the
     priesthood after seven years of study.
     Fr Pat Doyle informed this young priest,
     “You’ve got to remember it’s not a sprint,
                                                                                                                             Fr Mick Carroll
     but a long-distance race.” That young
     man was Fr Mick Carroll, and he’s been
     running that race faithfully for 60 years.   country one way or another.” Recalls        titled, “Turning Down the Noise”. It’s
                                                  Fr Mick. “I went with Bishop Francis        a very interesting read.” Reflecting
     Thomas Edward “Mick” Carroll, with           Xavier Thomas on his Episcopal visit        on his latest read, Fr Mick comments,
     Derick Furness and Terry Ranger, was         in the North West…..up through many         “We have to learn to cultivate silence,
     ordained at St Patrick’s Cathedral           of those mining towns, from Port
                                                                                              observe, open your eyes, open your
     Toowoomba on 29 June 1961 by Bishop          Headland to Geraldton. There were
     William Brennan DD. The following            five priests who lived with the Bishop,     ears, you’ll see things you’ve never
     day in Stanthorpe, John Bathersby            and it had a great sense of community       seen before. You’ll hear things that
     and John Rayn were ordained.                 about it. Bishop Thomas was a very          you won’t if you don’t deliberately do
                                                  welcoming man; he had to rely on            it. I observe one gentleman who sits
     Fr Mick’s early life memories are of
                                                  priests from other places a fair bit.”      in the morning in his chair outside,
     Taroom. He was born at Cracow on
     12 September 1936 before moving              Fr Mick has walked with many people         and I wonder if he is meditating
     to Taroom at the age of three. Fr            during his ministry. People who have        and not even know he’s doing it.”
     Mick’s further schooling was at St           touched his life, encouraged his deep
                                                                                              When asked, “What would your older
     Joseph’s at Nudgee, and whilst there,        faith and commitment to leading
     he heard a newly ordained priest             everyone into a stronger understanding      self tell your younger self?” Fr Mick
     and old boy, Fr Tom Carroll, return          of God’s presence in daily life.            replied, “Well, I’ve always remembered
     to talk about his vocation. Following                                                    those words of Fr. Pat Doyle.”
     the faith exhibited within his family,       Fr Mick has a constant and structured
     the seed of priesthood was sown. Fr          prayer life, praying the Breviary daily,    “My hope for the church in the future
     Mick completed his sub senior and            meditation exercises and celebration of     is that it continues to be a place of
     senior at Pius XII Seminary, Banyo.          the Eucharist to centre his daily journey   welcome for all people. To everyone,
                                                  on Christ. When the opportunity arises,     not wanting to proselytize them or
     Throughout the next 60 years, Fr Mick        he enjoys a good read, including books
                                                                                              anything like that, but to speak to
     has served the community in many             on history, as they reveal something
     places, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Clifton,     about the time he has lived. “Currently     their hearts, at a community level.
     St Anthony’s, Holy Name, Geraldton           I’m reading John Wallace’s letters,         To speak a word of hope to the
     WA, Warwick, Goondiwindi, Roma,              founder of the Missionary Sisters of        world. Touch the hearts of people
     Surat and Miles. He particularly             Service, letters from the seminary to       no matter what path they follow.”
     describes his time as a young priest         his family. Another book I’m reading
     in Western Australia as a gift. “It was      is by Christine Jackman, who was a          Fr Mick lives in Oakey after retiring
     a great experience spending four             high powered Brisbane professional          from Miles in 2002 and enjoys being
     years there, and I saw a fair bit of the     in the journalism arena. Her book is        actively involved in parishes as needed.

16   Horizons
(DIS)PLACEMENT                            Holy Spirit Seminary.
                                          I would like to credit
IN THE                                    Bishop Robert McGuckin
                                          for visiting me, calling
PADDOCK                                   and having a cuppa as
                                          well as Monsignor John
FHEAR BRIAN                               Grace, Rector of the
REDONDO                                   Seminary, for catching
                                          up. I can say that I’m
                                          alone but not lonely. I
                                          would like to thank Fr
                                          Don Murray for kindly
Brian is a final year                     offering me his bicycle;
seminarian for the Diocese                unfortunately, my small
of Toowoomba. He has
                                                                                                                  Fhear Brian Redondo.
                                          legs are short to fit his
completed his studies at the              XL build mountain bike.
                                                                                       going into the peripheries ready to
Holy Spirit Seminary Brisbane.            Fr Rod is a happy priest and, in his
                                                                                       dialogue in unity amidst diversity.
Here are some of his thoughts             words, “always wanted to be involved
and reflections on his current            in others’ lives in a hands-on way”. He      Pastoral care helps people to discern
                                                                                       God in their lives. Faithful may well
placement in the diocese.                 tells me he grew up on a dairy farm
                                          where no one considered manual work          be keen to hear something about

“
                                          to be in some way inferior to white-collar   how Jesus makes a difference in our
I am settling in at Cambooya after        work. Fr Rod does the lawn mowing            lives if we share in a considerate and
finishing formation at Holy Spirit        in the Clifton church, school, and the       non-dogmatic way. Part of pastoral
Seminary last year. Cambooya is south-    paddocks of a number of locals in            care is to share Jesus in our midst. We
west of Toowoomba. It’s home to the       Clifton. In return, some locals give him     care for people regarding their social,
best, the famous and only pub in town,    a free haircut for that favour. He cleans    agricultural, practical, and emotional
The Bull and Barley, and is the melting   the presbytery, washes his clothes and       needs and acknowledge their spiritual
pot of this thriving community located    measures the water in the tank like          needs. I reckon that I’m here on
in the town’s bustling main street. All   every farmer who prays for rain. When        placement to learn from the people
the town’s main services are located      there is a mice attack in Cambooya,          and the community, the true gem and
on this street, including the Churches.   Fr Rod taught me the art of skilfully        treasure of the Church. They teach
Sacred Heart Parish Cambooya              trapping mice the Australian way using
                                                                                       me how to be a good pastor for the
and St Joseph Church Greenmount           a bottle and peanut butter. (May St.
                                                                                       Diocese of Toowoomba, grounded in
form the community, Cambooya-             Francis of Assisi forgive me for this.)
                                                                                       faith with the right heart for synodality
Greenmount Catholic Community.
                                                                                       in the mystical body of Christ.
                                          Every Thursday, we have the serious
Fr Rod MacGinley stays at Clifton’s
presbytery and serves the communities
at Clifton, Leyburn, Allora, Deuchar,
Cambooya and Greenmount. As a
seminarian on placement, I’m staying in
the Cambooya presbytery independently
under Fr Rod’s direct supervision as my
pastoral supervisor and Fr Frank Jones,
                                          matter of making the parish bulletin
                                          together, proofreading before printing
                                          and having my pastoral meeting
                                          afterwards. I shared with him my
                                          encounters and experiences. He
                                          gives insights that help me in my
                                          placement, learning and developing
                                          a sense of priesthood, providing
                                                                                                                  “
                                                                                       This is a calling of voluntary
                                                                                       displacement from my comfort zone
                                                                                       in the Philippines, as a Filipino and
                                                                                       a Catholic. My pastoral learning in
                                                                                       an intercultural church is bridging
                                                                                       solidarity of both worlds, fostering
                                                                                       a culture of encounter with a deep
Vice-Rector and Pastoral Director of      care for the community of God by             connection in Jesus, God willing.

    “The Seminary that educates
    must seek really and truly to
                                                   Holy Spirit Seminary QUEENSLAND
    initiate the candidate in the
  sensitivity of being a shepherd.”

                                                           Msgr John Grace Rector Telephone: 07 3267 4800
  w w w.seminar y.catholic.net.au                                Email: seminary@qld.catholic.net.au

                                                                                                                          Horizons       17
From our delegates:

     LOOKING
     FORWARD
     WITH HOPE
     MARY OTTO
                                               “I have been nurtured, inspired and      “My hope is that the Plenary Council
                                                loved by the people of God in this        will be an aggiornamento for the
                                               diocese. I draw such hope from the          Catholic Church in Australia as
                                                  fact that in a parish, people from      was the intention of the Second
     It has been nearly three years since       every cultural background, across         Vatican Council for the universal
     we began our journey towards             the ages and varying socioeconomic            church. Let us move towards
     the Plenary Council in Australia.          situations, can gather around one        renewal with the Plenary Council.”
     As with everything in our lives,         Eucharistic table as a family. My hope              Fr John Quinlan
     well thought out plans have had             for the Plenary Council is that the
     to change to meet restrictions we        Australian Catholic Church becomes
     now live with for the safety of all. A       a place of safety and healing for
     significant change for the Plenary        those who have been hurt over the
     Council is how the first Assembly            years. I pray that the Plenary will
     in October will be conducted. Due        help our Church emerge as a humble
     to the uncertainty of gathering              body that walks the talk in terms
     large groups and interstate                of placing those at the margins of
     travel, the Australian Catholic          society at the centre of our Mission.”
     Bishops Conference decided the                      Mark Copland
     most effective way to continue
     the journey is to hold the first
     assembly in a multi-modal format.
                                                                                           “I look forward to participating
     Delegates from around the nation                                                      in an Australia wide event and
     will gather in smaller local groups.                                                 hopefully experience a different
     They will interact with others                                                           form of governance in line
     from around the country via                                                             with Pope Francis’ teaching
     teleconferencing for conversation,                                                          of a Synodal Church.”
     prayer and discernment. The                                                                Fr Franco Filipetto
     Toowoomba Diocese is well
     represented by Bishop Robert
     McGuckin, Fr John Quinlan, Fr
     Franco Fillipetto, Dr Mark Copland            “I am excited to be part of the
     and Mrs Patrice Riordan. Combined,       upcoming Plenary Council as I believe
     they bring a wealth of knowledge          it will be a wonderful experience. To
     and experience to the table and          be part of this momentous time within
     the ability to listen and discern. On    the Catholic Church of Australia gives
     Pentecost Sunday 23 May, they              me hope for a better future for our
     will be commissioned at the 9:00            youth within our faith community.”
     am Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral.                  Patrice Riordan
     The ceremony, along with the
     Mass, will be live-streamed.

     In his recent encyclical “Fratelli
     Tutti”, Pope Francis speaks of the
     need for renewed hope in a world
     that brings with it struggles of all
     kinds. Despite the challenges
     of our times, let us heed Pope
     Francis and continue to move
     forward with hope that will “fill
     our heart and lift our spirit” for our
     church’s future in this nation.

18   Horizons
THE PLENARY COUNCIL JOURNEY
                                                                    Feb               Publication of the Plenary Council
 Preparation and ongoing discernment                                                  Instrumentum Laboris
 by the local Church community for the                              2021              (Working Document).
 Plenary Council Assemblies.
                                                       March
                                                       Onward

                                                                    June              Announcement of the Plenary
                                                                                      Council Agenda and the final
                                                                    July              preparation for delegates.
 The first Assembly of the Plenary
 Council is held in Adelaide.
                                                           3 - 10
                                                            Oct
                                                                    Nov               Prayerful discernment on the
                                                                    2021              outcomes of the first Assembly.
 The second Assembly of                                             June              Preparation of papers and proposals
 the Plenary Council                                                2022              for the second Assembly.
 is held in Sydney.
                                                           4-9
                                                           July
                         Whilst every effort has been
                         made to project accurate dates,
                         changes may arise. Please check
                                                                    Aug               Preparation begins to enact
                         the Plenary Council website                2022              the decisions voted upon at the
                         for the most recent version.                                 Plenary Council Assemblies.

https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au

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                                                                                                                           Horizons   19
St Anthony’s School Principal, Louise
                                                                                                                                                         Pfingst, with prep students.

                          WELCOME TO A NEW
                          SCHOOL YEAR
                          DR PATRICK COUGHLAN,
                          EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
                          TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC
                          SCHOOLS

                          The school year is off to a flying start,      experiences of students
                          and 2021 promises to be another                and to our own sense of
                          eventful and potentially turbulent year.       worth and wellbeing.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE

                          New staff, students and families have
                          been warmly welcomed, and the first            The difference between hope
                          few weeks have disappeared quickly.            and despair often hangs on
                                                                         telling a contrasting story from
                          This year we had the privilege of              the same set of facts. The
                          welcoming 48 new teaching staff to             Catholic story is an invitation
                          TCS. We are fortunate indeed to have           to embrace the contemporary
                          the talent and energy that was present         world, with all its flaws and
                          during their orientation days leading          imperfections, with a hope-
                          student learning in classrooms. Three          filled view of each other and
                          new principals have been appointed             the world we live. In the midst
                          this year. Brendan Stewart (St Mary’s          of ample uncertainty and
                          College, Toowoomba), Katrina Dunne             disorder is the temptation
                          (St Mary’s School, Charleville), and Keith     to self-preservation, looking
                          Blaikie (St Patrick’s School, Allora). Their   after one’s own interests to
                          fine personal qualities and abundant           the detriment of others. The
                          leadership skills will be well received        Catholic story is a commitment
                                                                                                                    St Saviour’s Primary School prep students with their, Lucy Adams.
                          by their respective communities.               to healing and reconciliation
                                                                         and a better future for all. It
                          It’s probably too early to say whether         is an invitation to a different                  awaits. Our mission is academic
                          2021 will be better than 2020.                 approach and way of thinking, a                  success for all students within a
                          Nonetheless, we start the new year full        new and creative response to the                 distinctively Catholic environment. We
                          of hope and with a positive outlook.           current uncertainty and disorder.
                                                                                                                          are determined and unwavering in this
                          There will be the usual, and even
                          unusual challenges and triumphs                As we look forward to the year ahead,            endeavour. I wish all staff, students
                          ahead. Our response to these moments           an enormous opportunity to make a                and families well for an exceptional
                          will make all the difference to the            real difference to the lives of students         year of teaching and learning ahead.

  20                      Horizons
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
                                                                                            L to R-Bishop Robert McGuckin, Katrina Dunne, Kieth
                                                                                                   Blaikie, Brendan Stewart, Dr Patrick Coughlan

THREE NEW PRINCIPALS FOR
TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC
SCHOOLS IN 2021
TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE

As the new school year approaches,          is why Catholic Education is unique,”      students of Allora and surrounds and
parents, staff and students are             said Brendan. “I have dedicated myself     I am keen to continue to lead the
starting to get excited, and many           to helping young men realise their         excellent work that the staff of the
are ready to return to school for           full potential and to set them up for      school have established,” said Keith.
2021. Toowoomba Catholic Schools            success beyond school. Sometimes
has this week welcomed three                they need an extra helping hand,           St Mary’s School, Charleville welcomes
new principals to the Diocese.              and this is something that I think St      acting principal, Katrina Dunne, who is
                                            Mary’s College does really well.”          well known to the school community.
Brendan Stewart is joining the St Mary’s                                               As a parent and the Deputy Principal
College, Toowoomba team. He is              Keith Blaikie returns to Toowoomba         of the Charleville School of Distance
excited to be leading another College       Catholic Schools in 2021, to lead St       Education, she is a familiar face.
with an Edmund Rice philosophy.             Patrick’s School, Allora. Keith was
As a former accountant with KPMG,           previously the Assistant Principal for     “I am keen to continue to build the
Brendan moved to education in 1993          Religious Education at St Stephen’s         collaborative professional learning
and is a passionate advocate for boys’      School, Pittsworth before his recent        community across the schools in
education. He is also a music enthusiast,   role at Downlands College.                  Charleville,” said Katrina. “With the
and his teaching specialities include                                                   diocese support, that has already
economics and religious education.          “I look forward to returning to a rural     exceeded my expectations just from
                                             community in my first principalship.       the induction and orientation we
“I believe Catholic Education gives all      Having taught in Charters Towers           have had this week, I can’t wait to
 of our students the opportunity to be       and Pittsworth, I believe that you can     get back to Charleville knowing that
 the best that they can be and be all        get an excellent education in a rural      there is a whole team there to help
 that God created them to be and that        school. St Patrick’s offers this to the    with every aspect of school life.”

                                                                                                                                   Horizons        21
HIGH MARKS FOR
                          FIRST GRADUATES
                          UNDER QCE SYSTEM
                          DR PATRICK COUGHLAN, EXECUTIVE
                          DIRECTOR: TOOWOOMBA
                          CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE

                          Toowoomba Catholic Schools are            I thank all students who have               future for themselves through school
                          committed to ensuring all students        shared in this journey with us and          and university because I appreciate
                          experience academic success and           wish you all the best for your future       the value of education and just
                          achieve their best. After a very          endeavours. We are excited to see           how transformative it can be. Not
                          challenging year for our 2020 Year 12     where your journeys take you.               everyone has equal access to this
                          cohort, the release of the QCE and ATAR                                               basic right, and I want to play a part
                          results demonstrated the incredible                                                   in alleviating that issue,” Zina said.
                          achievements of the Class of 2020
                          and the dedication and commitment
                          of our staff in supporting them.

                          The Class of 2020 are the first
                          graduates in a new Queensland
                          Certificate of Education (QCE) system
                          with Australian Tertiary Admission
                          Ranks (ATAR). We are proud to report
                          that more than 99% of students in our
                          secondary colleges attained their QCE.    Zina Alexandra Dorado
                          The state average is 89%. Across the
                                                                    St Saviour’s College
                          Diocese there were some outstanding                                                   Caitlin Lang
                          ATAR rankings achieved in each of         ATAR of 98.60
                          our schools with the top ATAR result                                                  Mary MacKillop Catholic
                          in Toowoomba of 99.90 achieved by         Originally from the Philippines,            College, Highfields
                          Dhairy Shah from St Mary’s College.       Zina and her family migrated to
                                                                                                                ATAR of 98.35
                                                                    Australia towards the end of 2012.
                          We are also proud of the large                                                        College principal, Chris Gabbett
                          number of students who obtained           Zina said, “St Saviour’s was a very
                                                                                                                said, “We are very proud of our Year
                          Vocational Education and Training         appealing school for me because
                                                                                                                12 College Dux, Caitlin Lang. She
                          (VET) qualifications and School           of the vibrant community. It was a
                                                                                                                achieved a 98.35 ATAR and, following
                          Based Apprenticeships (SBAs) while        place where I knew I could thrive
                                                                                                                more assessments and interviews, has
                          also performing well in their QCE         and flourish with the support of the
                                                                                                                been accepted to the University of
                          subjects. SBAs and VET courses            staff and students.” And so she did.
                                                                                                                Queensland to complete a Doctor of
                          allow students to learn trade skills                                                  Medicine. Caitlin’s continuous hard work
                          and develop employability skills          In addition to being the College Captain,
                                                                                                                makes her incredibly deserving of this.
                          on-the-job with a gateway to trades,      Interact Club President, Student
                          further vocational and university         Representative Council President,
                                                                                                                As a College we are so very proud
                          education, jobs and employment.           member of netball and basketball
                                                                                                                of our inaugural Year 12. We have
                                                                    teams, Zina also received many
                                                                                                                focussed over the past two years on
                          Sixty-eight of these students completed   academic awards - College Board
                                                                                                                creating a focussed academic culture
                          a school-based traineeship and            Award, Top of cohort: Mathematical
                                                                                                                in the senior school, and we have
                          have already been offered full-           Methods, Chemistry, Physics, English,
                                                                                                                some really outstanding teachers who
                          time jobs or university placement.        Study of Religion, Sister Regina
                                                                                                                maintain it. These achievements will
                          Fifty-four have continued from            Conway Mercy Award, Marilyn
                                                                                                                provide a really positive example to
                          their school-based apprenticeship         Jackson Memorial Award, Interact
                                                                                                                all of our students as we continue to
                                                                    Student of the Year, Commitment to
                          to a full time apprenticeship.                                                        create a P-12 academic pathway.”
                                                                    Study and Service to Sport awards.
                          The stories below capture the                                                         Caitlin has always had a love of science.
                                                                    Zina plans to study medicine and
                          successes of three of our students                                                    After many discussions with Mr Kris
                                                                    law. Her ultimate goal is to eventually
                          who are now reaping the rewards                                                       Naiker, Assistant Principal in Teaching
                                                                    build a shelter. “I want to put kids who
                          of their dedication and hard work.                                                    and Learning Senior, she realised
                                                                    are committed to building a better
                          We hope they inspire others.

  22                      Horizons
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