The Central West Catholic Cluster is a grouping of parishes in North Queensland’s Rockhampton Diocese, where you will get a warm country welcome and lots of hospitality.

The Divine Word Missionaries took up pastoral care of the Central West Catholic Cluster last year, with the arrival of Fr Peter Bang SVD.

The birthday of our Mother Mary, 8^th September, also marked the Foundation Day of the Society of the Divine Word.

In 2024 it also marked the opening of the SVD Sesquicentenary Jubilee (the year of celebrations leading up to their 150^th anniversary in 2025), with the theme “Witnessing to the Light: from Everywhere for Everyone”, writes Fr Peter Bang SVD.

The SVD members who are ministering in the Queensland District gathered in Townsville  recently for a week of reflection centred on spiritual renewal, strategic discussions and missionary collaboration.

A highlight of the gathering was a presentation by Fr Prakash Menezes SVD about his experience at the 19^th General Chapter in Rome.

The SVD is establishing a new mission in the Rockhampton Diocese, based in the regional town of Emerald in Queensland’s central highlands.

The Divine Word Missionaries were invited to take up the appointment by the Bishop of Rockhampton Michael McCarthy.

As the world celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the moon landing this month, almost 20 men gathered in Queensland to mark a 50 year reunion of Divine Word Missionary seminarians.

The reunion of those who had been at the former seminary in Marburg, was held under the title of ‘Marburg Moon Muster’ and saw the coming together of men from various walks of life.

Divine Word Missionaries are present in the Brisbane Archdiocese, the Rockhampton Diocese and the Townsville Diocese in Queensland.

Most are actively involved in pastoral work, either in parishes or, for the retired members, in helping out with Masses, giving retreats, spiritual direction, mental health ministry, chaplaincy and prayer formation for adults. The Queensland parishes have strong multicultural communities and the new Rockhampton mission will also involve ministry to Aboriginal communities.