Diocesan Notes

Updated 17/2/12

New Bishop of Toowoomba appointed - News Feed.
15/5/12

Horizons back issues updated as well as the latest edition is available.
15/5/12

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30/6/11

Outreach to the Future - A Bequest to the Diocese can be your legacy. Find out more about making a Bequest.

News & Events

	Breaking News - Newly Appointed Bishop of Toowoomba His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed as Bishop of Toowoomba Monsignor Robert McGuckin. The Toowoomba Diocese welcomes Monsignor McGuckin as the newly appointed Bishop of the Diocese. More details to follow as they become available. Bishop Brian Finnigan's Statement welcoming Mons McGuckin. Find out more about our newly appointed Bishop - Mons McGuckin's CV. Mons McGuckin made a flying visit to Toowoomba, view some of the photos. May 2012
	Flood Relief Concert - Tony Fenelon Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in conjunction with the Roland Corporation are hosting an Organ Concert to raise money for the flood affected areas of our Diocese. The concert will be held on Friday 11th May 2012 in the Our Lady of Lourdes School Hall,153 Holberton Street Toowoomba, commencing at 7pm. The Roland Corporation have booked world renowned organist Tony Fenelon to not only showcase his talents for the evening but to also show the capabilities of the Roland Corporation’s musical instruments. All funds raised from this concert will be donated to the Grass Roots Disaster Fund which was established by our previous Bishop, William Morris. It will assist those still recovering from flooding in recent months. Concert Flyer May 2012
	"The Carer" Newsletter - Pastoral Care Read the Autumn Edition. March 2012
	St Paul's Book Centre @ The Shrine Reopens St Paul's Book Centre is now open after a two month closure. Opening hours from 6/3/12 until further notice are Tuesday to Friday, 10:30am to 2:30pm. St Paul's stocks books, CDs, DVDs, gift items, religious artifacts, icons and greeting cards for adults, teenagers and children in the following areas: Bibles and biblical studies, liturgy, sacramental resources, theology, spirituality, self-help, philosophy, Australian Church, ecumenism, prayer, devotions, family life, Catholic Church, Vatican documents and encyclicals, educational resources, products for individuals, schools and parishes. Vist them at The Shrine, 502 Ruthven Street Toowoomba. Phone 07 4638 4649 or Email. March 2012
	Grass Root's Disaster Fund With many parts of the Diocese again affected by floods, we must prepare for the cost of it. For some it is the ultimate price of life, for others it is a loss of livelihood, and so many more it will be loss and damage of their home. In 2011 Bishop Morris established a fund to help those in immediate need of food, clothes and other basic necessities called "Grass Roots Disaster Fund". You can help the Grass Roots Disaster Fund by making a donation at your local church, contacting Bishop's House or the Diocesan Development Fund. Your donation will go to helping those within the local community most in need. Please note these donations are not tax deductible. Starting with communication with the local parish priest or pastoral leader, we will be able to identify those in need for immediate help. For tax deductible donations, please consider giving to St Vincent de Paul. Please keep in your prayers the people of St George, Mitchell, Roma, Charleville and surrounding communities. February 2012
	Bishop Brian Finnigan's Travels Bishop Finnigan has caught the travel bug and has been busy visiting parishes within the Toowoomba Diocese! View photos of his visits: Millmerran Pittsworth Dalby and Bell Warwick January 2012
	UPDATE: Caritas Australia – East Africa Appeal Thank you to the people of Toowoomba and Diocese who so generously supported this appeal. It is truly a remarkable effort, raising at total of $21,177 for the $ for $ initiative. Your donations will help in making an immense difference to the livelihood of so many East African people caught up in this devastating drought. Read more about the Appeal's results. December 2011
	Seminarian for Toowoomba Diocese Our Toowoomba seminarian, Darrell Irvine, has completed another successful year at the Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo. He is currently on a pilgrimage with other seminarians visiting the Holy Land and Rome. On his return, he will spent some time at St Patrick’s Cathedral and on 17/1/12, he will take up his appointment as a student in pastoral formation in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sunnybank. He has special skills and interest in clinical matters. He will be admitted to Candidacy in the early months of 2012, and ordained a deacon during the year, most likely mid-year, and will exercise his ministry in Toowoomba Diocese. In late 2012 or in 2013 he will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Toowoomba. We continue to support Darrell with encouragement and prayer. December 2011
	Ad Lima Visit - Bishop Brian Finnigan Read about Bishop Finnigan's visit to Rome. Also have a look at photos taken during the Bishop's meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. November 2011
	Social Justice Commission Launches RAP After two years of preparation work the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was launched on the 11th November. View photos of the launch and local news coverage. You can also read Action Plan at the Social Justice Commission's website. November 2011
	A Year of Grace The Australian Catholic Bishops are inviting the whole Catholic Church in Australia to refocus their lives on Jesus Christ, both in their prayer and their daily activities. You will see to the left the Year of Grace logo - click here for information and resources for the Year of Grace (commencing Pentecost 2012). This page will be updated as new resources come to hand, so make sure you check back. November 2011
	Priests' Retirement Foundation Father's Day saw the launch of the Priests' Retirement Foundation annual appeal. Each year parishioners within the Toowoomba Diocese have an opportunity to support the Foundation - it's a way of showing gratitude for the ministry of the Priests of the Diocese who are now retired after many years of faithful service. The Toowoomba Priests' Retirement Foundation was established in 1998 by Bishop William Morris to care for retired and sick priests. The Foundation helps by contributing to rent, nursing home fees, taxis and other living costs. Please help "Caring for those who cared" and continue to care (many of the Diocese's retirees are still in active ministry) by picking up a donation envelope from your local parish or printing a donation slip and posting to, Father's Day Appeal 2011, PO Box 1262, Toowoomba Q 4350. Thank you for your continued support. September 2011
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