St Mary’s in Exile is a community of diverse people who come together in the light of the Christian mystery to act justly and give priority to those marginalised in our society

We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land where we are now gathered and recognise that it continues to be sacred to them.

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Liturgies

June 17th

I Am a Refugee – Liturgy, June 15th

This week we will be hearing what it like to be a refugee from people from over 10 different countries. Some are recent arrivals to the US. Others have been in the US for most of their lives. Together, their stories form an intimate portrait of what it means to be a Refugee.

Liturgies

June 12th

Know Their Names – Liturgy, June 8th

Lesley Syne recently launched her new book, Know Their Names. It concerns itself with the erasure of Aboriginal people from Australian history through examining the Queensland government’s Rewan Police Horse Breeding Station in the Central Highlands. She believes that without truth-telling and an appreciation of the strength and contributions of First peoples, there can be no accurate and shared ground to Australian history.

Liturgies

June 3rd

Mabo Day – Liturg,y June 1st

This Sunday on the eve of National Reconciliation week we celebrate Mabo Day. It is marked annually on 3 June. It commemorates Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful efforts to overturn the legal fiction of terra nullius, or land belonging to no-one.

Liturgies

May 29th

Trusting – Liturgy, May 25th

As a community we are once again at a crossroads where we are invited to choose a path. We are invited to trust in that ever constant loving presence that has walked with us guiding us along the way. Homily by Terry Fitzpatrick. Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin.

Liturgies

May 21st

Christianity & Unknowing – Liturgy, May 18th

In a world filled with oppositional thinking we need to rediscover the peace of non-dual thinking. This weekend we will hear a homily from Fr Richard Rohr where he offers a concise history of how Western Christianity once had, soon lost, tried to retrieve, and now is roundly rediscovering its own traditional understanding of unitive consciousness.

Liturgies

April 14th

The Still, Small Voice – Liturgy, April 6th

In our busy lives we often forget to pause to savour the moment; to be still and experience gratitude. A moment of being quiet can be difficult. The times we do this can be real moments of Joy. As we prepare for Easter this year, may we find times to pause and savour life. Homily by Terry Fitzpatrick.

Liturgies

March 31st

Prayer & Work – Liturgy, Match 30th

As we continue our Lenten focus on issues highlighted in Soul Murmurings by Andrew Kennelly, Liz will explore the interwovenness between our spirituality and our work – both paid and non-paid. Homily by Liz Little. Photo by Aarm Giri.

Liturgies

March 24th

Reclaiming the Wisdom Teachings of Jesus – Liturgy, March 23rd

This week Margaret Clifford will be discussing the importance of reclaiming the Wisdom teaching of Jesus about non-dual consciousness.

Liturgies

March 6th

Soul Murmurings - Liturgy March 2nd

As we approach Lent this year and we prepare to celebrate Easter, we are choosing as our theme ‘Soul Murmurings’. It is taken from Andrew Kennelly’s new book with the same name.

News Articles

January 12th

The Guardian feature: "Ageing in exile: the greatest threat facing Brisbane’s rebel Catholic parish" by Andrew Messenger.

" Fifteen years ago, 700 parishioners followed their renegade priest out of St Mary’s. The congregation survived relocation and lack of acceptance – but it is age that might finish it off" photo by David Maurice Smith

Liturgies

November 19th, 2024

Songs from a Strange Land – Liturgy, November 17th

Heather Eckersley will speak to us of our upcoming Advent journey, with an invitation to consider using an Australian publication based in our own landscape. Here is a contemplative opportunity to press pause on our inner noise, to wait, watch and listen and see what happens.

Liturgies

November 15th, 2024

Learning from Timor Leste – Liturgy, Nov 10

Richard Rohr says that retribution is a system that works best in prisons and courtrooms but is not the way of the Gospels. Our best selves need honest exposure to truth and a desire to restore relationships. Otherwise, we are controlled by the past. Homily by Liz Little

Liturgies

November 15th, 2024

Protecting our Native Forests – Liturgy, Nov 3

Our focus in our liturgy this week is protecting our Native forests. Renowned British naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough some years ago informed us that, “Worldwide, we have now destroyed over half of the forest that once flourished on our planet. Not only are we losing the animals that once lived on them, we’re also changing the climate of the entire globe.”. Homily by Terry Fitzpatrick.

Liturgies

October 15th, 2024

Poverty – Liturgy, October 13th

Poverty affects over 3 million people in Australia and millions more around the globe. It affects some population groups more than others - First Nations people, children leaving foster care, disabled people, people leaving prison, mothers fleeing domestic violence. Homily by Michael Tansky. Photo by Akira Hojo.

St. Mary's In Exile gathering at a chapel in Numinbah Valley

Liturgy Times

Saturday, 5pm

A contemplative liturgy celebration commencing with meditation, followed by Liturgy and Eucharist at 5:30pm.

Sunday, 9:30am

A morning liturgy and celebration of Eucharist.

Sunday, 5pm

An afternoon liturgy and celebration of Eucharist.