Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba

Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba Connect with the latest news and events from the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba. Later a portion of the Archdiocese east of the Great Dividing Range was added.

On May 28th, 1929, the Holy See issues a decree erecting Toowoomba Diocese, and on 1st September that year, our first Bishop, Most Rev James Byrne, was consecrated in St Patrick's Church, from then known as St Patrick's Cathedral. Six Bishops have guided the Toowoomba Diocese in the consolidation of those early foundations. When the Diocese was founded it covered all the territory in the southern part of Queensland south of the twenty-fifth degree of south latitude and west of the Auburn and great Dividing Ranges. The area is four hundred and eighty seven thousand square kilometers. At its commencement, in 1929, there were fifteen parishes and twenty priests. During the last seventy years these numbers have fluctuated greatly. At its peak there were thirty-eight parishes. Today we are fortunate in having thirty-five parishes, who are founded on the support of strong community, priests, religious and a growing ecumenical movement. Today the physical structure of our Church is very different to those beginnings. We are now a whole made up of many parts. Clergy, religious, pastoral leaders, parish pastoral councils, youth groups, education, catechists, Care and Concern, CWL, St Vincent de Paul, Knights of the Southern Cross, home communion, finance committees, liturgy groups, SPRED, Caritas, Mission, Rosies, Centacare, Social Justice Commission, P & F and prayer groups all show the diversity of our participation. As we journey through the second millennium, the Diocese of Toowoomba is meeting the many challenges facing it. We are reminded that we are all united by our baptism (priests, religious and laity). It is because of this unique bond that we are called to active participation in our Church – through celebration of Eucharist, prayer and community support. In strengthening the bonds of our Diocesan community we also become active participants in strengthening the Church's mission for the life of the world.

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09/09/2026

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St Patrick's Cathedral Carnival of Flowers Floral Display 2026 - come along and enjoy the wonderful displays from our local schools and community organisations. 18th - 22nd September 9am - 5pm daily.

Leave a Legacy of Faith 💙This Include a Charity Week, consider how a gift in your Will can help share faith, support tho...
08/09/2026

Leave a Legacy of Faith 💙

This Include a Charity Week, consider how a gift in your Will can help share faith, support those in need, and strengthen the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba for generations to come.

Your legacy can make a lasting difference across our parishes, ministries, and communities.

- By listening to one another, we learn together to listen to the Lord -
05/09/2026

- By listening to one another, we learn together to listen to the Lord -

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04/09/2026

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Fr John Quinlan thought his vocation might last just one year.Instead, it became more than 60 years of service.Today, in...
04/09/2026

Fr John Quinlan thought his vocation might last just one year.

Instead, it became more than 60 years of service.

Today, in retirement, he still lives simply-spending time in his workshop, creating small wooden pieces and staying connected to the community he served for so long.

His story is a reminder that behind every priest is a lifetime of care for others.

If you would like to support retired priests like Fr John, you can do so here:
https://www.twb.catholic.org.au/ways-to-give-prf/

Meet the Synod Advisory Committee 👋🏻Chaired by Bishop Ken Howell, the Advisory Committee is comprised of Fr Nathan Webb ...
30/08/2026

Meet the Synod Advisory Committee 👋🏻
Chaired by Bishop Ken Howell, the Advisory Committee is comprised of Fr Nathan Webb (Parish Priest, St Joseph's Stanthorpe), Mary Schwartz (Parishioner, Sacred Heart Texas), Fr Michael O'Brien (Dean, St Patrick's Cathedral), Rachel Pingel (Synod Moderator), and Sally Hood (Synod Facilitator).

You can contact the Synod team via email [email protected].

29/08/2026
The first of the St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba new doors has now been installed by the teams from DJ Buckley Builder...
27/08/2026

The first of the St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba new doors has now been installed by the teams from DJ Buckley Builders Pty Ltd, DSB Joinery and Glen Rowen from RMA Engineers.

Crafted from New Guinea Rosewood, the doors return the Cathedral entrance to its original design, featuring full-length doors that mirror the beautiful arch of the doorway. The craftsmanship is outstanding, blending heritage, beauty and functionality.

Once completed, the doors will be finished with an oil treatment, creating a timeless and welcoming entrance for generations to come.

These works are being undertaken with the assistance of Toowoomba Regional Council through a Heritage Incentive Grant.

We love to see it - supporting communities! Special shout-out to Loretta and the SPRED Toowoomba team, who continue to b...
27/08/2026

We love to see it - supporting communities! Special shout-out to Loretta and the SPRED Toowoomba team, who continue to be a wonderful demonstration of what inclusion looks like for our church.

Over 60 years, Fr John Quinlan’s life has been shaped by one simple response: “yes.”Yes to serving in parishes.Yes to su...
26/08/2026

Over 60 years, Fr John Quinlan’s life has been shaped by one simple response: “yes.”

Yes to serving in parishes.
Yes to supporting families in times of loss.
Yes to walking with people in moments of joy and hardship.

Much of this work goes unseen.
“People see us on Sundays,” Fr John says, “but they don’t always see the life behind it.”

As we reflect on his 60 years of service in 2026, we’re reminded of the many priests who have quietly given their lives in the same way.

Learn more about supporting retired priests: https://www.twb.catholic.org.au/ways-to-give-prf/

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Toowoomba City, QLD

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+61746324277

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