Welcome
Welcome to the Ipswich Catholic Community. We hope that you and your family have an opportunity to come and visit our community at one of our churches sometime soon; you will always be welcome. The Ipswich Catholic Community is located in south-east Queensland and is approximately 40km south-west of Brisbane. Geographically, we cover a large area and in 2012 Archbishop Coleridge linked the parishes of Ipswich, Leichhardt, North Ipswich, and Rosewood to form the wonderful group of people you see today. We are passionate about going out into the world and sharing the Word of God and the Bread of Life to those we encounter. Pastoring our community requires a lot of work and is not done in isolation. Our Pastoral Team helps people encounter Christ in our liturgy when we meet together as friends, and to foster a thirst for the Living God both at Mass and when our families share their time with others away from our community celebrations.
Fr. Stephen Bliss (ofm)
Hello everyone,
I have been ministering in Ipswich for 6 years, and love the place, the people and our churches. Our parish is an active faith community and we do our best to live the gospel in an authentic way. As hard as it can be at times, I believe in seeing and experiencing the goodness around and within me – it is certainly in these experience we see and experience God, who is always close to us.
I am a Franciscan Friar who has been involved in many ministries within our province and beyond: formation, parish ministry, and administration. St. Francis and St. Clare inspire me as they endeavoured to live the gospel life simply and authentically.
In my ministry in the parish I try and encourage others to live simply and authentically the ways of Jesus. I look forward to meeting you and walking with you to encounter Jesus. Welcome to our community! I hope you take the time to come and visit with us.
Blessings,
Fr. Stephen
Parish Priest