Catholic Diocese of Cairns

Sunday Mass Times for the Diocese

Current Mass Times for the entire Diocese are available here, or as listed under the Parish Information.

Easter Mass Times for the Diocese

Easter Mass Times for the entire Duicese are available here.

Rev Peter Vandeleur - RIP

Rev Father Peter Vandeleur passed into eternal life on Saturday 13th March 2010 at Cairns Base Hospital.

A Vigil will be held at 7:30pm on Thursday 18th March at St Francis Xavier's Church, Cnr Mayers and Aitkinson Sts, Manunda.

All Relatives, parishioners and many friends of Fr Peter Vandeleur are respectfully invited to attend a Solemn Funeral Requiem Mass at St Monica's Cathedral at 11am on Friday 19th March. Following the Mass the internment will take place in the Catholic priest's section of the Cairns Martyn Street Cemetery.

Rev Patrick Jones - RIP

Rev Father Patrick Martin Jones passed into eternal life on Thursday 18th February 2010 at Wesley Hospital, Brisbane. He was buried on Saturday 27th February in the Catholic priest's section of the Cairns Martyn Street Cemetery.

Cairns Diocesan Synod - Session Three - May 2010

Session Three of the Synod Process will take place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd May 2010 at the Saint Augustine's College Precinct. More information will be added as it becomes available.

There is a retreat for Synod Participants this weekend Saturday 27 February (12:30pm - 5:30pm) and Sunday 28 February (9am - 5pm) at the Seville Mercy Retreat Centre.

For information on the previous Sessions of the Synod (2008-2009) please click here to go to the Main Synod Page

LENT

ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of Lent was Wednesday 17th February.
The CHRISM MASS will be held on Wednesday 24th March at 7pm at St Monica's Cathedral.
HOLY WEEK Commences on Sunday 28th March, with Good Friday on 2nd April and Easter Sunday 4th April.

The Reflection - A Lenten Journey

You are invited to partake in an exciting and unique journey during Lent. Each week, the Bishops of Australia will share their thoughts and reflections on the Sunday Gospels. The Reflection is a free internet-based resource that will follow a lectio divina exploration of the Scriptures.
This innovative program is a wonderful opportunity to share your Easter journey with family, friends, parish or family groups. As the Church family welcomes its new members with open arms at Easter, let’s take up the challenge and invite others to come to our table. Go to www.thereflection.vividas.com

Regular & Upcoming Diocesan Events

There are many events happening in our Diocese. Click here to see regular and upcoming events.

If you have an event you would like to add please email the details to the Diocesan Office Reception

Pastoral Letters from Bishop James Foley

27 November 2009 - Message re Holy Communion (for full document click here)

This weekend, the beginning of the Advent Season, we return to usual practices of receiving Holy Communion under both kinds.
Thank God, we avoided the spread of Swine ‘Flu and our winter ‘flu season has passed.
However, this is an opportunity now to address some issues around the distribution and reception of the Eucharist.

1. The Church recently restored the practice of some act of reverence just before we receive the Eucharist. A slight bow is an adequate way of preparation. If you choose to genuflect, it would be safer and more practical to come up at the end of the line.

2. The Church has also recently withdrawn receiving under both kinds by self-intincting – receiving the host and then dipping it in the wine. Technically this is seen as taking rather than receiving Communion. This practice also risks cross infection from fingers to wine.

3. Those choosing to receive the host on the tongue please do so reverently, respectfully and carefully. Some now hardly open their mouths or put out their tongue at all. Others fully open their mouth and extend their tongue completely. Either of these extremes makes it very difficult to place the host on the tongue carefully or clearly. Please use a mid-way position with the tongue only extended far enough to place a host safely. Out of consideration for the health of others receiving you might also consider coming up towards the end of the line.

Further advice and direction for the Ministers of Holy Communion is available from the Cathedral Office.

Much of this may seem rather too precise or pedantic - yet basically - it is a matter of reverence for the Lord and a practical consideration for each other.

Regards and best wishes
Yours truly in Christ,
+ James Foley
BISHOP OF CAIRNS

14 January 2009 - Mass Times in the Diocese

To Download a copy of Bishop Foley's Pastoral Letter (Mass Times) please click here.

22 July 2007 - Martha & Mary

To Download a copy of Bishop Foley's Pastoral Letter (Martha & Mary) please click here.

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