With the New Year comes a new resolve to keep in contact with the diocesan family through The Review.  Through our Stewardship of Time and Talent we now have Ministries of Photography and Events and our talented people will keep you up to date, through word and picture, of the many happenings in Bundaberg.

We ended 2009 with a Parish BBQ to thank all those involved in ministry, which by definition means a BBQ for all.  It was a great day, with over 200 in attendance.  We met new people and caught up with others from the various Mass communities across town.  This event was also used for the viewing of the Cathedral Restoration Fund DVD: with a captive audience in attendance, what better way to keep them entertained!

Christmas came and went too quickly and already we find ourselves at the beginning of a new school year.  The teachers and staffs of our Catholic Schools and State School Catechists gathered on Friday, 22 January, for their opening Mass in which they were reminded of the many seeds that can be planted, the various types of soil that exist, and the effect that water has on the life and growth of each seed.

On Tuesday 26 January approximately 150 parishioners joined together to celebrate Australia Day with Mass and morning tea at Holy Rosary. We saw a variety of cultures represented with traditional costumes as well as many wearing Australia’s green/gold and blue/red. The choir, also in the green and gold, led us in some thought provoking singing including Bless Our Land, Different Gifts and Great South Land.
The words from Different Gifts were very fitting for Australia Day – “…..Celebrate our diff’rences, working together; Needing each one’s special gifts to make the body whole.”
               
Morning tea consisted of many Australian icons with lamingtons, damper, scones etc. Parishioners were entertained with old favourite Australian poems and stories from Father Peter, Clem Healey and Lucille Gott;  as well as singing and dancing from the Filipino parishioners.

Judy Vollmerhause

Top: Parish Thank You Barbecue to end 2009

Second From Top: Marilou Huie and Helen Small in Filipino dress
on Australia Day 26 January 2010

Above Right: Ligaya Muller and Lucille Gott - true blue Aussies

Right: Filipino dancers perform at Australia Day gathering on 26th January 2010

Above: Bernice Lebsanft cutting the damper on Australia Day