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Message from our Bishop: The Light of Easter

As a new bishop in a rural Diocese, I’m discovering the critical need for rain in our various regions. I’m told that a good amount of this precious gift has come to the Western parts of our Diocese. Although unexpected, according to weather predictions, the sense of green and life is very pleasing and offers hope to our farmers and producers. The waters of northern rain are passing around Birdsville onto Lake Eyre and the wonder of life will blossom there again. As a people we look to signs of life that come through the simple things of rain, and green grass. However, sadly too much of this gift brings immense hardship as we have seen in recent months in the north of our State.

Read Bishop Ken’s full message on page 3 of the latest issue of Horizons >>

Horizons, published by us, is our own quarterly magazine. It’s full colour and available for free across the Diocese. Horizons is an important method of communication and outreach to parishioners and the wider community. It features stories of events and projects from local parishes as well as information about ministry and services offered by Diocesan Agencies.

  • Called to Hope & Pray

    Pope Francis has proclaimed a Year of Jubilee in 2025. We are called to be Pilgrims of Hope and asked to prepare for this heightened holy time with a year of prayer.
    We have a long tradition of Jubilee years. The first was called by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. Over the last 500 years, Jubilee years have generally been every 25 years. Many of us will remember the Year of Jubilee Saint John Paul II called in the year 2000. We will also remember Pope Francis calling an extraordinary year focusing on a Jubilee of Mercy in 2016.
    Read more of this reflection on page 6

  • The Student Becomes the Principal

    When Jim Brennan found himself standing in the Principal’s office in 1981, he never dreamed that he would one day be the man sitting in the boss’s chair of St Joseph’s College. While he is delighted to be returning to his old school, which he attended from 1981-1982, Jim admits the feeling is surreal. “It’s quite amazing to see how the College has transformed and grown since I attended,” says Jim.
    Read more about St Joseph’s College Toowoomba’s new principal on page 20

  • Beads of Sweat & Faith

    For Theresa Blatchly, the presence of Christ has been close to her throughout life. Theresa and her group of helpers spend many hours making sets of rosary beads to be distributed primarily to the schools of our diocese.  Theresa has been responsible for more than 9,007 sets of rosary beads, which are accompanied by a little booklet explaining how to pray the Rosary.  
    Read more about Theresa and group of volunteers making thousands of Rosary Beads for students on page 29

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Most Reverend Ken Howell DD SLL

Kenneth Michael Howell was born on 20 February 1958, the son of Jack and Betty Howell. He is brother to Rodney, Janet and Gavin.

He was educated at St Columba’s Primary School, Wilston and St James College, Fortitude Valley, and joined Queensland Rail after his school years, working as a clerk in the Chief Engineers Office.

In 1977, he entered Pius XII Regional Seminary at Banyo and was ordained a Priest on 24 June 1983. From 1983 to 1994, he worked as Assistant Priest in the Parishes of Noosa Districts and Burleigh Heads and at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane.

The Bishop’s Coat of Arms

The Bishop’s Coat of Arms traditionally consists of two halves. The left half is the crest of the Diocese, the right, of the Bishop himself.

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