St Francis Xavier Parish, Mackay

St Francis Xavier Parish is a Catholic parish, serving the needs of the Catholic communities living in the western and southern suburbs of Mackay, Queensland. The parish has existed since 1947, but the Church was blessed and dedicated in 1962. St Francis Xavier Parish has grown into a large parish, servicing Church needs, community functions, and operating a primary school.

The Church of St Francis Xavier

Gratitude, joy and pride filled the hearts of the congregation of 1000 who joined in the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass, following the blessing and dedication of St Francis Xavier Church, on the night of Thursday, September 13, 1962.

As it has been so often since then, the church was filled to overflowing and the 200 parishioners who were unable to be accommodated in the church, followed the Mass from the two side verandahs.

The Church was blessed and dedicated by Most Rev. Francis Rush, D.D (who went on to become Archbishop of Brisbane. During his homily, Bishop Rush said, "This solemn function follows closely on a Novena or prayer and penance, during which you begged God's blessing on the Vatican Council.

"You have prayed that as a result of the Council, the Church will be renewed - made new again - that all men be able to recognise its beauty and holiness. In prayer and self-denial you resolved, by renewing your own lives to do what you could not to renew the Church of which you are a part...

"I can't help thinking how appropriate it is that......
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