& ST ANTHONY'S PARISH - DIMBULAH

The parish of Mareeba in the Diocese of Cairns covers an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres and contains a population of about 16,000 people, 30 per cent of whom are Catholic. Mareeba (population 8,000) is the largest town in the parish and other centres include Kuranda, Mt Molloy, Biboohra, Julatten, Mt Carbine and Koah.

Traditionally the land of the Muluridji people, the parish today is the home to people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds with Italians, Croatians, Filipinos, Albanians, Spaniards and Aborigines all well represented.

Agriculture is the main industry with mangoes, sugar cane, avocados, lychees and coffee being among the most significant crops. The cattle industry and tourism are also important.

The first Mass in the parish was celebrated in a store in Mareeba in 1886. The parish was formally established in 1911 by the Augustinian Order who still serve there. Today there are three Mass centres (Mareeba, Kuranda and Julatten). St Thomas's Parish Primary School has an enrolment of approximately 470 students. There are also religious education programmes in the state schools in the parish, adult catechumenate, youth group, social justice group and many other active groups and organisations. A feature of the parish is the Filipino, Italian, Aboriginal and international liturgies that are celebrated each year. In 2006 St Stephen’s Catholic College, a diocesan secondary school, opened in Mareeba with an intake of Year 8 students. It will increase by one year level each to be a Years 8 to 12 college by 2010.

Since Easter 2001 the Parish Priest of Mareeba also has pastoral responsibility for the neighbouring parish of St Anthony's, Dimbulah.St Anthony’s Parish School has an enrolment of approximately 55 students. A second church in the parish, St Joseph’s, is located at Mutchilba with Mass celebrated there once a year on the Wednesday closest to the feast of St Joseph.

The Augustinian currently serving in the parishes of Mareeba and Dimbulah is Robert Greenup. Julie Mauro is the secretary of both parishes, Gail Walker the principal of St Thomas's Parish School, Rita Petersen the principal of St Anthony's Parish School and Gerry Simon the principal of St Stephen’s Catholic College.

Sunday Mass times:

Mareeba: Vigil 6.00 pm
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Sunday 10.00 am

Dimbulah: Sunday 8.00 am

Kuranda: Sunday 6.00 pm

Julatten Home Mass:
...............Saturday 9.00 am (Sunday Mass)

Address:

PO Box 308 (57 Constance St)
Mareeba QLD 4880

Telephone: (07) 4092 1077
Fax: (07) 4092 3170

Email:stthomas@ledanet.com.au