Becoming a Lighthouse Parish

A few months ago, I received a call from the Diocese of Cairns asking if I’d be willing to speak at their upcoming Diocesan Synod on Saturday, 15th November. They’d heard about some of the renewal happening here at Our Lady of the Rosary and wanted me to share our story—what we’re learning about leadership, mission, and parish renewal in a changing Church.

As you may remember, the Australian Plenary Council (held in 2021–22) called for every diocese in the country to hold a diocesan synod within five years. Here in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, we held ours last year—across two two-day sessions in September and October—and I had the privilege of serving as a member on behalf of our Sunshine Coast Deanery. It was a rich and hopeful experience, as lay and ordained leaders from across the Archdiocese discerned how the Holy Spirit is calling the Church in southeast Queensland to grow in faith, vitality, and mission.

The Cairns Synod this November will be another expression of that same spirit of renewal. The theme of the session I’ve been invited to lead is “Leading with Intentionality in a Time of Change.” As I’ve been preparing, I’ve found myself deeply grateful for what God is already doing among us here at Our Lady of the Rosary. Slowly but surely, we are becoming what the Divine Renovation movement calls a “lighthouse parish”—a parish that shines the light of Christ for others, showing what renewal can look like in practice.

When I was first ordained, I thought leadership meant solving every problem and personally caring for every person. Over time, I’ve realised that renewal doesn’t come from the priest(s) doing everything, but from investing in leaders who raise up other leaders—disciples who, in turn, accompany others to encounter Jesus. That’s what we’ve been building here through our Senior Leadership Team, our Ministry Leadership Teams, our Pastoral Leaders and their teams, and the many parishioners who have said “yes” to serving with faith, creativity, and courage. Everything we do is anchored in our vision:

That every parishioner—from the youngest to the oldest—experiences the joy of intimacy with Jesus that transforms hearts and animates a desire to boldly and joyfully share what they have received with others.

This vision shapes our worship, our preaching, our hospitality, and the way we make decisions. Even when the road ahead isn’t perfectly clear, we trust that God gives us enough light to take the next step—

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119:105).

We’re learning that intentional leadership means keeping our focus on the primacy of evangelisation, leaning deeply into the power of the Holy Spirit, and bringing the best of leadership to serve the mission. In our parish, we like to talk about the three H’s—Hymns, Homilies, and Hospitality—because renewal starts with worship that lifts hearts, preaching that connects and transforms, and a culture that genuinely welcomes people home.

As I prepare to share our story in Cairns, I’m struck again by how much God has already accomplished among us. The Holy Spirit is doing something real here—something hopeful, contagious, and life-giving. We don’t have everything figured out (far from it!), but we have enough light to take the next step.

Please pray for me and for the Cairns Diocese as they gather for their Synod on 15th November. And please continue to pray for our parish—that we’ll keep saying “yes” to God’s invitation to renewal. Together, we’re becoming the kind of community that helps others encounter Jesus—the kind of parish that truly shines His light.

With peace and love, Fr Josh