Catholic Diocese of Townsville Office contact number is 07 4726 3200.

For assistance or to donate furniture please call VINNIES on 1800 846 643

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16th ANNUAL CATHEDRAL CAROLS

PARISH CHRISTMAS DINNER 2023

ADVENT REFLECTION GROUP

NEW PARISH COMMITTEE

Are you attracted by the vision for our parish Becoming New in Christ?  A vital part of that vision is leadership.  The parishes' Transition Team is calling for expressions of interest or nominations from parishioners by 6 November to become a member of the Parish Mission Leadership Team, the Parish Mission Council or the Parish Mission Finance Council.  The Transition Team will be working with our pastors and Mission Renewal Advisor to establish these leadership bodies to start operation on 1 January 2024 when the new Cathedral Parish commences.

CATHEDRAL PARISH INVITES YOUNG MEN

Cathedral Parish invites young men who are interested in discovering more about the priesthood to contact Father Rod Ward.  An information sessions is being organised.

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL RCIA PROGRAM

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process develop by the Catholic Church for prospective converts to Catholicism above the age of infant baptism.  For more details ring the Parish Office or Fr Rod Ward.

The next RCIA program will commence in November 2023 with the first session on Monday evening 6 November.  This program is designed for adults wishing to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church with Baptism (if required), Confirmation and First Eucharist.  Please contact the Cathedral Parish Office to enroll or for more information.

PARISH YOUTH GROUP

Cathedral Parish is looking to reactivate the Parish Youth Groups and recommence a program for children during the 10am Sunday Mass at the Cathedral.  Please contact Fr Rod or the Parish Office if you are interested in taking part in either of these programs.

PARISH ADMINISTRATION / OFFICE HOUR

The Parish Office - 28 Ingham Road, West End is open from Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm.  For all enquiries and bookings for Cathedral, please contact 47714461 or email: cathedralparish@tsv.catholic.org.au

VISITATION GROUP

Cathedral Parish is planning to develop a Visitation Group where a parishioner agrees to visit one or more parishioners who may be house bound, on a regular basis.  Some already take communion to those who have difficulty in physically coming to church.  Could you please advise the Parish Office or Father Rod if you are willing to be part of this Group.

PARISH FAMILY GROUP PROGRAM

Cathedral Parish is also planning to set up a Parish Family Group Program which will be aligned with the Passionist Family Group Program.  The program plans activities which include all age groups with a balance of ages in each group.  This program has been very successful in other parts of Australia and facilitates families coming together in a range of activities, always within a faith setting.  We invite families who are interested to please advise the Parish Office so that we can keep them informed of progress.  Leaders from Brisbane are willing to help and assist with the provision of resources.

Facebook Page

Cathedral Parish runs a Facebook page.  Our Facebook:  Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Townsville.  We plan to place details of Parish events including what we plan for Youth Groups on that page.  Parish announcements should also be available on that page.

Cathedral History

A brief history of Sacred Heart Cathedral

In January 1892, the Church of St Joseph on the Strand collapsed into a small creek, which had become a raging torrent after a downpour, described as "practically a waterspout", struck Townsville. It was after this, and a series of other calamities, that the decision was made to build the main church in Townsville on the foundation of rock on Castle Hill. The foundation stone for the new Church of the Sacred Heart was laid on 7 October 1900 and the church was completed and opened on 16 November 1902. It remained the parish church until it was consecrated as a Cathedral in 1930, when the Diocese of Townsville was divided from the Diocese of Rockhampton.

To mark the 75th Jubilee of the Diocese, Bishop Michael Putney commenced the $3 million project to refurbish the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Cathedral was closed on 1 August, 2004 and reopened 23 June, 2006.

Weddings

Times available for bookings for weddings within the parish have been extended.  Weddings ordinarily have been booked for 3pm on a Saturday.  The Cathedral parish will now make times available for weddings on a Saturday, 1pm and 3pm.  Weddings can also be booked on a Friday after 2pm.  Priests will be made available from the Cathedral Parish to conduct these weddings.  Couples are welcome to invite priests from other parishes to conduct their weddings if they so wish.

Musicians are the responsibility of the couple. Information on marriage preparation is available from the Cathedral parish secretary.

• Please note that confetti, rice, flower petals or similar substances are not permitted in the Cathedral, St Mary's, St Francis Xavier, St Patrick's and St Joan Arc  buildings or grounds.

Baptisms

Baptisms in the Cathedral parish can be arranged by contacting the Cathedral parish office. It is a requirement for the baptism of their first baby of this diocese that baptism preparation be undertaken by the parents of the child being baptised. 

**Baptisms are held every Sunday in Sacred Heart Cathedral at 11.45am and 10am in St Mary's Church, West End is every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month.  Baptism Preparation are held  at the Cathedral Parish Office, 28 Ingham Road West End on a Tuesday or Thursday at 3pm.   

Funerals

Funerals to be held in the Cathedral can be arranged through the Funeral Directors in consultation with the Administrator and parish office.

General Information

Bookings

• All bookings for the Cathedral are to be made through the Cathedral Parish Office, West End.
• For all information about the Cathedral, please contact the Cathedral Parish Office, West End 4771 4461.
• Bookings for weddings and baptisms will be confirmed after arrangements have been made with the presiding priest/pastoral leader, and on receipt of the booking fee. Funerals will be arranged with Funeral Directors in consultation with the Administrator and the Coordinator.
• Toilets are located at the rear of the Catholic Centre.
• Please note that if the Cathedral is not left in a clean and tidy condition after use and furnishings are not replaced correctly, an additional fee may be charged.

Costs and Use of Cathedral

All costs for the use of the Cathedral are available upon request, by contacting the Cathedral Parish Office on 4771 4461.