Bishops Message

My Dear People,

This weekend I ask for your help with the Cathedral Restoration appeal.  As I write these words, the final stage of the restoration work is nearly complete.  It is a moment to reflect on the significance of the Cathedral to us, in whatever part of the Diocese we might live.  For this our Cathedral Church and its restoration over the last three years has been an important chapter in our history.

Cathedral churches are spiritually rich places.  With their sense of space and light they draw us to the presence of God in a simple and yet enriching way.  Every Cathedral tells a story including our own St Joseph’s Cathedral.  It is a living testimony to the people who have built, preserved and made the Cathedral an important part of the life of our Diocese.  It holds a unique place as the most northern Gothic cathedral in Australia.  It reflects thee extraordinary vision of past generations who wanted such a building to be the place from where our Bishop presides and teaches.  What a daunting project our Cathedral must have been in the late 19th century?  Those years were tough economically and yet the people of our Diocese pressed ahead, leaving future generations with a beautiful building that unites us with God and is an obvious symbol of the divers Catholic family that is our Diocese, from Mackay to Bundaberg and stretching west through many grazing, farming and mining communities.  We are truly fortunate to have such a building that is witness to our faith in God.

Some years ago, some serious faults in St Joseph’s Cathedral were identified by experts.  They required urgent attention in light of our obligations to preserve the Cathedral as one of the most significant heritage listed buildings of our region.

The restoration project has included “repointing” of the walls, stabilising the north-eastern tower and the Spires and finally the removal of the outside grounds bitumen surface and clay under soil and replacement with concrete which along with a new stormwater drainage system will reduce any future strain on the structural movement caused by water affected foundations.  Extensive cobblestone driveways and courtyards and a new boundary fence will complete the restoration and add beauty to the external environment.  Electrical work, repairs to the archways, replacement of damaged stones, new front steps and landscaping have combined with the major structural work to be a very costly project.  The end result is a much enhanced Cathedral building worthy to be handed onto future generations.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to raise the necessary funds to complete this work.  We estimated that $6 million was needed and to date we have raised $1.5 million and added $1 million from Diocesan reserves.  This has left the Diocese with a serious financial burden.  And so this weekend I appeal to you for help. 

Whatever you might be able to give will be very much appreciated and will help to restore our Cathedral and enable us to hand on such a worthy and beautiful symbol of our faith to future generations.  I urge you to prayerfully consider what your gift may be and invite you to be a part of the restoration of St Joseph’s Cathedral in our own time.

May God bless you in your generosity.

+Brian Heenan
Bishop of Rockhampton

22nd April 2012 - Renewal of Cathedral Appeal