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o Bishop Columba, newly elected Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese.
o Students enjoying the musical talents of the Bishop.
o Bishop Columba and students during St Joseph’s Whole-School Mass.
St Joseph’s School and St Patrick’s Parish welcomed Bishop Columba to Nyngan during the first weekend in November.
Bishop Columba was ordained Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese on July 3, 2014.
Born in Forbes, he was educated at St Lawrence’s School and Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes.
Upon leaving school he taught music and joined the Army Reserve as a Piper. Bishop Columba was ordained a priest in 1997 and was the Vicar Provincial in Australia of the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit (Pauline Fathers) and Rector of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Marian Valley, Canungra, Queensland.
He was also the Police Chaplain for the South Eastern Region of Queensland from 2011.
Bishop Columba has been extremely busy over many weeks visiting parishes and schools in his vast diocese.
It was Nyngan’s turn to receive a visit from the Bishop in November.
On the Saturday evening, the Bishop celebrated Mass in MacKillop Hall then enjoyed a barbecue dinner with parishioners which was organised by St Patrick’s Parish Council.
The Bishop celebrated the Sunday morning Mass with the students of St Joseph’s hosting this Mass.
Mrs Cecilia Swift and St Joseph’s School Choir sang beautifully which added a special touch to the morning’s celebration.
Bishop Columba’s next stop was Mass and lunch at Nymagee before returning to share an evening meal with members of the Nyngan Branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
On Monday, November 3, St Joseph’s School community celebrated Mass with Bishop Columba which was followed by morning tea.
The children were absolutely delighted when the Bishop appeared in the playground playing the bagpipes and entertaining them with renditions of Advance Australia Fair and Waltzing Matilda.
After many years of uncertainty about the continuation of the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, it is truly wonderful to not only have a Bishop but to have a dynamic, down-to-earth person who is passionate about our diocese and keen to see us flourish into the future.
