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 Cluster includes the remote rural parishes of Alpha/Jericho, Aramac, Blackall/Tambo, Isisford/Jundah/Muttaburra/Longreach, and Barcaldine. In any given week, Fr Bang travels at least 700-800km (3000km per month) to carry out his ministry.
He said his first impression of his new appointment was not only the warmth of the people, but also the sheer size of the area.
“My first impression was that the land area of the Central West Catholic Cluster (300,000 square kilometres) is 20 times larger than the land area of my home Diocese of Ha Tinh in Vietnam (14,094 sq km),” he said.
“The second impression was that this is my first time as a parish priest looking after five parishes.”
Fr Bang said the parishioners are primarily cattle farmers, working the beautiful landscape of the district, and outback tourism is also a significant part of the economy. Over the last few years, though, the cultural mix of the area has broadened with the arrival of about 30 workers from Kiribati who are based in Longreach.
The Longreach parish has been a welcoming community for the i-Kiribati workers, who in turn have enriched the experience for all.
“They have been contributing and sharing their gifts with the local church, including singing at Sunday Mass once a month and cleaning the church as well,” Fr Bang said.
Synodality has been a reality for the Catholics of Central West Queensland long before Pope Francis made it a global priority for the Church, thanks to the crucial role that lay leaders and parish communities have played for many years.
“It is a vast area, and one priest could not celebrate all Sunday Masses for all communities,” Fr Bang said.
“Therefore, we are so blessed to have the lay leaders who can lead the Liturgy of the Word on Sundays where the priest cannot come to celebrate Mass.”
A new Regional Pastoral Council for the Central West was also formed and commissioned in 2024.
Being a part of small country towns, the parish communities within the Cluster are missionary in their outlook, sharing their faith, hospitality and practical assistance with all.
Community events include Christmas Fetes in Barcaldine and Blackall, which are organised by the parishioners to raise funds for the parish.
“The parish fete is a unique event which brings together our parishioners and members of the general community in a celebration enjoyed by all which helps raise funds for our parish,” Fr Bang said.
Another lay-led, mission-focused activity of the Central West Cluster is the St Vincent de Paul Society which has a presence in Longreach, Blackall and Barcaldine.
“They are working very well for the community, helping those in need,” Fr Bang said. “Especially at Christmas time, the Vinnies groups provided a lot of Christmas gifts and cakes for the elderly in the towns.”
The Central West Cluster has three Catholic schools – St Joseph’s Schools in Blackall and Barcaldine and Our Lady’s School in Longreach, which Fr Bang visits to celebrate Masses, including Masses for the opening and end of the school year, Feast Day Mass, Ash Wednesday mass and weekday Masses.
“I also visit the classrooms and give talks with different topics given by the teachers regarding the sacraments, the Church, Mother Mary, Lent, and a priest’s life,” Fr Bang said.
Fr Bang said while he has only been in the parish for a short time, parishioners are interested in learning about the SVD missionary charism.
“On September 8 last year, SVD Foundation Day, it was a privilege for me to take the opportunity to introduce the SVD Charism and Mission to God’s people in this vineyard,” he said.
Fr Bang celebrated Mass for the Opening of the SVD’s 150th Jubilee Year, under the theme: ‘Witnesses to the Light: From Everywhere for Everyone’.
The Mass included a procession of key symbols – a Bible (for the Divine Word), a globe and the SVD banner (representing the entire world and the SVD priests and brothers who are currently ministering in 79 countries), and a candle (representing Christ’s light that they are guided by and try to share with others).
Fr Bang said the call to “Witness to the Light” is a central part of the Christian Mission.
“It also reminds us as SVDs that Jesus’ Love and Truth are meant to be shared universally—across every people, culture and nation. This Light, symbolised by Jesus Christ in John 1:5 as the One who ‘shines in the darkness’, is a beacon of hope, meant for everyone and for every corner of the world.
“For me, to witness ‘from everywhere’ means that wherever I am—whether at home, engaging in teamwork, or visiting our parishioners at their properties, I am aware that I am called to reflect Christ’s light.
“In this mission, I am called to be a living missionary, embodying Christ’s light in every situation, shining it into every corner of my parish community.”
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: Fr Bang with parishioners at Barcaldine in the Central West Cluster.
TOP LEFT: Fr Bang with workers from Kiribati who are part of the Longreach parish, pictured with Fr Bang after the Mass to mark the opening of the SVD's 150th Jubilee Year.
MIDDLE RIGHT: Former and current members of the Muttaburra Catholic Community at the unveiling of the Belltower Sculpture and Plaque which was opened last year to pay tribute to the Catholic presence in Muttaburra following the decommissioning and sale of St Joseph's Church in 2023.
BOTTOM LEFT: Fr Bang celebrates Mass at a local aged care residence.