Welcome

In our worship centres of St James, St Mark’s and St Margaret’s all are welcome, whether you come as a tourist, a visitor to a service, seeking spiritual help, or a member of any other faith group.

VISION STATEMENT

st-james-parish-strategic-plan.pdf

Noting that our Cathedral Parish Mission is: “To proclaim God’s word and accept his challenge to live as a Christ-like Community”

We as the major centre in the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland, St James Cathedral, aim to:

• proclaim God’s calling and invitation into the fullness of life which God offers through a living     sacramental relationship with Jesus Christ
• welcome and nurture new believers
• develop the faith and leadership of parishioners to become a discipling congregation
• respond to human need by loving service
• transform unjust structures in society, promoting reconciliation, justice and peace

It will achieve this Vision:

• for the Parish by:

* becoming a place of excellence in liturgy, innovation and music;
* participation in parish and regional programmes;
* equipping its members to teach and share their faith;
* linking into pastoral care networks;

• for the Diocese and Wider Community by:

* recognising the place of the Cathedral within the Diocese and Community;
* opening the Cathedral to Community use;

ACTIVE GROUPS WITHIN THE PARISH

Mothers’ Union

The MU promotes the well being of families by practical support for outback wives and mothers, providing crisis accommodation, post-natal depression support, prison visiting, support for women at court, and training Indigenous women. St James’ MU meets after the 9 am service on the first Friday of each month (December and January excluded). St Marks’ MU meets at 9 am on the third Tuesday of the month. New members are warmly welcome.

Study Group

A Christian discussion group meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month for fellowship, prayer and discussion of Christian books. Meetings are held in a parishioner’s home at 7.30 pm. New members are always welcome. Contact phone 4724 1680

Sunday School

The Sunday School covers ages from 4 to 12. Sessions are sent out by post, except during the school holidays. We welcome new children to join our group. Contact Anne at Office 4771 2247 to have your children on the mailing list. On Sunday at the 9.00am service we have available people to share Bible Stories and activities with the children present.

Catechumenate: The Journey Program

The Journey is a series of weekly meetings for those who wish to enter more fully into the worship of the Church. They and the Journey team meet to ask questions about the church, religion and prayer. The process ends with the service of baptism or confirmation on Advent Sunday. This group is enacted when people come forward seeking to deepen their faith and confirm their baptismal vows.

Cursillo

Cursillo helps people to discover and fulfil their personal vocation, and promotes the creation of core groups of Christians who leaven their environment with the Gospel. Cursillo equips people to function more effectively within their local parish. The current Lay Director belongs to the Cathedral Parish. Contact Richard Keene, 4773 3353 or 4781 4433.

The Choir

St James Cathedral Choir sings monthly Choral Evensong. This 1662 service includes an Introit and Anthem and a setting of the Canticles taken from a repertoire of Stanford (2), Walmisley, Murrill, Tallis, Sumsion, Noble and Whitlock. The Choir is also present for major festivals and at Diocesan and Civic Services. At the Sunday morning Eucharist a group of members leads a responsorial psalm and sings during communion. All inquiries regarding membership should be made to the Choir Director.

CONTACTS

CHOIR DIRECTOR:
Samuel Blanch 4771 5464

ORGANISTS:
Michael Fellows 4775 4389 or 4771 5111
Tom Gray through parish office 4771 2247

Third Order of St Francis

The Third Order is a community of Christians responding to a call from God to share with St. Francis the Way of following Christ. Members of the Third Order share community life with each other through the bonds of prayer and obedience to the Order. Currently this group meets on the first Thursday of the Month at 7.30pm at Mission to Seafarers Chapel.

Mission to Seafarers

The Mission to Seafarers is an Anglican organisation that offers fellowship and a warm welcome in centres where seafarers can relax away from their ships, meet local people and contact their homes. Staff greet ships, offer support, visit seafarers in hospital or prison, help crews in emergencies and further the seafarers world-wide fight for justice and equitable treatment. The Mission runs the Flying Angel Seafarers Club, at Berth 9, which has a chapel, a canteen and offers various other services. Seafarers are always welcome, as are volunteers to help at the canteen. Contact 4772 2774

Contemplative Prayer and Meditation

People wishing to participate in Contemplative Prayer and Meditation gather for worship weekly on Tuesday’s at 5.15pm. Come and join this group to pray together and to explore the spiritual in life. Modern technology can support the life of prayer. You may like to check the beautiful site “Sacred Space”, run by Irish Jesuits. The site leads you through a daily meditative prayer at your own pace. It has some good guides for exercises for centring and for listening to God, and there is a suggested timetable for a day retreat for a person to conduct in their own home.

Special Occasions, Baptisms and Weddings

The Cathedral is used for concerts and civic ceremonies.

Baptisms are held regularly at the Cathedral, preceded by a period of preparation for the families concerned

Weddings also take place regularly; those who are married take part in a special marriage preparation programme.