Community
10 October, 2025
Fond memories recalled at Mount Isa's annual Bishop's Dinner
The keynote address was given by former Mount Isa priest Terry Lyons.
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish celebrated its 21st Annual Bishop's Dinner on Thursday night with a keynote address by former Mount Isa priest Terry Lyons.
More than 100 people gathered at the Irish Club for the event, which included Townsville Diocese Bishop Tim Harris.
Long-term locals would remember Father Lyons as the Mount Isa parish priest from 1981 to 1988.
The 84-year-old celebrated 60 years as a priest in June this year.
In his keynote address, Fr Lyons discussed the 40th anniversary of the “Mount Isa rationalisation project” that saw the scattered buildings of two churches, four schools, two convents, a presbytery, and Brothers' residence, reshaped into the three schools and parish grounds we see in the city today.
The $2 million project culminated in the opening of the current Good Shepherd Church at Stanley Street in November 1985.
Fr Lyons said he had steered a similar rationalisation project in Townsville before taking on the Mount Isa role.
“During that time, I had a hyperactive assistant called Mick Lowcock,” Fr Lyons joked to the gathering.
“I taught him everything he knows – and he’s still getting therapy for it!
“I must have had a lot of energy back then to get the job done.
“But once we had it all finished, it has worked like a charm ever since.”
Bishop Tim discussed the upcoming Diocese Synod, which will be held in Townsville next year.
The Synod assembly, which has not been conducted by the diocese in more than half a century, will bring together parishioners, school communities and Church leadership to engage in dialogue about the future doctrinal and organisational direction of the Catholic Church across North Queensland.
“We are asking where the spirit will be guiding the Church in a world that is changing day by day,” he said.
“There are interesting times ahead.”
The evening concluded with award presentations to locals who have made ongoing and valued contributions to the parish community.