Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

The Registry:

The Registry has continued to have some issues with our telephone system.  Today we are to be connected to the NBN.  There may still be short periods of time when we have no telephone service.  Thank you to those who have phoned us on our mobiles to let us know.  If you do not get through please try again. Thank you also for your patience. 

I know I have had some emails bounce as well.  If we have not responded to an email you sent by tomorrow please re-send.

Rosie's last day in the Registry will be Thursday 26th March, 2015. Rosie and her husband Andrew and two delightful sons, Lachie and Will are moving to Warwick. 

We give thanks to God for Rosie's work and ministry.  Rosie guided the Registry through a time of transition.  It was not easy but we do give thanks for all that Rosie achieved and has offered the Diocese.  We assure Rosie of our love and prayers and wish Rosie and the family every blessing for the future.  

Please pray for:

The Reverend Chris Yule, who underwent surgery last Friday and will undergo further surgery today.  Depending on how Chris' surgery goes today, he may have to have further surgery on Thursday.  Chris' convalescence will take some time. I thank the Area Dean for her ministry to Chris at this challenging time for him. 

Mrs MacDonald the mother of our Dean, The Very Reverend Rod MacDonald, has been unwell and is hospitalised. Please pray not only for Mrs MacDonald but all the members of the family. 

Fr Mick Lowcock, who is currently the Administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Townsville and Parish Priest of Mount Isa has undergone surgery.  We assure Mick of our prayers and best wishes at this time. 

The National Meeting of Anglican Bishops and Spouses to be held in Cairns from Friday 6th March to Tuesday 10th March, 2015.

Upcoming Sundays in Lent:

Mothering Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Lent and this year falls on the 15th March.  In some parts of the world such as in the UK it is their Mother's Day.  So on this day we give thanks to God for our mothers and we also pray for the mother Church of the Diocese, St. James’ Cathedral, the Dean, the staff and parishioners.  A former tradition was to visit the mother Church on this day.  Unfortunately the geography of the Diocese does not facilitate this practice.

On this day we also pray for Jerusalem, Galatians 4:26, "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all".

Please continue to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem on this day and also on Good Friday. 

Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday is on the 29th March this year.  Please see the attached instruction sheet for the making of Palm Crosses.  There are other ways of making a palm cross, but this method fits my mini sermon!

The Chrism Eucharists:

This year in the Diocese the Chrism Eucharist will be celebrated during Holy Week on:-

Monday 30 March  5.30pm      –       Holy Trinity Mackay

Tuesday 31 March  6pm          –       St James’ Cathedral Townsville

Wednesday 1 April  5pm         –       St Saviour’s Kuranda

I mentioned last time, at each Chrism Eucharist clergy renew their ordination vows.

Also at this service three oils are blessed, the oil of the sick, the oil of the Catechumenate and the oil of Chrism will be consecrated. 

The oil of Chrism is olive oil with balsam and sometimes other perfumes added, thus the slightly darker colour. It is used to consecrate priests, at baptisms and confirmations and consecrating churches.

The oil of the sick is blessed olive oil and is used for those who seek healing, and that service can be found on pages 683/684 of A Prayer Book for Australia.

The oil of the Catechumenate is used on the First Sunday of Lent when adults who are preparing for baptism at Easter enter a period of intense preparation.  This time has become known as Lent. The basis of the intense preparation is the Gospel readings for Year A of Lent.

Pray for our Government:

Please pray for our Government as it considers its overseas aid allocation in the forthcoming budget.  We live in a lucky and fortunate country and in so many ways have so much.  Let us as a nation (and as individuals) share with a few of the many who are deprived of the basic necessities of life.

Sermon:

On Sunday I preached a sermon at the Cathedral on presenting Christ, or making Christ known.  I attach this for your information and pray you may find it helpful.

Dates for 2015:

Deaconing                I propose Godwilling to make Denise Ireland a deacon at 6pm on Friday 20^th                                                    March at St Margaret’s West Cairns.  The colour is red.  All are welcome.

Synod                                3 – 5 July

Clergy Conference          6 – 9 July

Provincial Clergy Conference: 10 – 13 August, Early Bird registration closes - 31 March

 Cyclone Marcia Appeal:

Please see the attached flyer and media release in regard to the Anglican Bishop’s Cyclone Marcia Appeal to assist the people of Central Queensland are who have been affected by this disaster.  Please give generously.

I pray your journey though Lent continues to be a blessed one.

Yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray

Bishop of North Queensland

Please note that the number for the Office of Professional Standards Sexual Abuse contact line has changed:

                     Sexual Abuse contact line:  1800 242 544   or   07 3835 2266

9. 3 Attachment Sermon Lent 2

9.3 Attachment Palm Cross

9. 3 Attachment media release Anglicare