Religion at USQ

Introduction 

Chaplains at University? Isn't that a bit out of place? After all, universities are secular institutions!' Not really. The very name university is linked to religion. The first universities tried to form people who were universal: capable of marrying the secular and the religious in an harmonious synthesis. USQ, following in this tradition, recognises the relevance of religion in the lives of most people. Through the Multifaith Chaplaincy Services Centre, established under the University's Policy on Religious Services, it provides support for staff and students who wish to integrate their spiritual life with their academic development. Chaplains are available from the most widely represented faiths, and assistance is given to members of any religious group. The following Christian churches provide chaplaincy services: Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Uniting Church, Presbyterian Church, Lutheran Church, Christian Leaders Network (CLN), Australian Christian Churches (ACC) Assemblies of God Australia. An Islamic contact person in addition to a Buddhist Chaplain is also available.

• List of Current USQ Chaplains
• Religious/Spiritual Festivals 
• International Seminar on the Social Teaching of John Paul II 
• Links for Multifaith Chaplaincy and Interfaith Dialogue within Australian Universities 

Administration

• Mr William Conwell, Administrator, USQ Multifaith Services
• Evan Reichelt, USQ Chaplain Coordinator, Telephone +61 7 4631 2822

Anglican Church Chaplaincy 

• Presently there is no Anglican chaplain at USQ.
• For enquiries please contact the offices of the Bishop of the Western Region, telephone +61 7 4639 1875, email rwnolan@bigpond.com.

Australian Christian Churches (ACC) Assemblies of God Australia 

For enquiries please contact Chaplain Greg Otto on +61 7 4638 1636 or 042 328 2942 or by email gpotto@gmail.com.

Buddhist

For enquiries please contact Chaplain, Venerable Wu Ping on +61 7 4637 8765 or by email pllc2001@yahoo.com.au.

Church of Christ

For enquiries please contact Cameron Fletcher on 040 203 2063 or by email camhome@studentlife.org.

Islam

Muslims in Toowoomba and from the University come together and meet in the Muslim Prayer Room situated at the University.

• Friday prayers are conducted regularly at about 12.20 pm.
• The Islamic Centre is accessible at all times for other prayers and activities.
• Lessons from the Holy Qur'an as well as the Hadith are available evenings of the second and the last Friday of every month at the Islamic Centre.
• All Muslims as well as non-Muslims are most welcome.

For enquiries please contact Professor Shahjahan Khan on + 61 7 4631 5532.

Lutheran Church of Australia

For enquiries please contact Chaplain Even Reichelt on 043 202 4997.

Presbyterian Church Chaplaincy

• Reverend Roland Sondergeld is honorary Chaplain to the campus.
• Assistance is available to students as they face numerous personal and spiritual challenges during their time at university.
• The honorary Chaplain seeks to complement and support the existing Christian groups on campus.
• Assistance with accommodation is available, as is transportation to worship and youth functions.
• Training in how to share the Gospel through 'Christianity Explained' and other courses are readily available.
• Central to our ministry is the reproductive principle of 2 Timothy 2.2.

For enquiries please contact Presbyterian Chaplain, Reverend Roland Sondergeld on +61 7 4633 4188 (H).

Roman Catholic Chaplaincy

• The Catholic Church has a history of endeavouring to harmonise secular and religious knowledge, with the aim of forming people who were 'universal'.
• The first universities emerged from the Cathedral, Monastic and Professional Schools of the High Middle Ages.
• Some of the most ancient and prestigious universities were founded by the Church: Paris, Padua, Bologna, Oxford, Cambridge, Salamanca, Heidelberg and a host of others.
• The Church has founded Concannon Residential College, sponsors several scholarships and holds the annual Concannon Oration at the University. 
• Fr John Peard holds Sunday Mass at the Multifaith Chaplaincy Services Centre, room K520 from 11:00am.

For enquiries please contact Father John Peard, Parish Priest of St Anthony's, Memory Street, Toowoomba on +61 7 4636 1737.

Uniting Church Chaplaincy

For enquiries please contact Mrs Sharon Kirk, telephone +61 7 4638 9989.

The Salvation Army 

For enquiries please contact Chaplain Captain Blair Bowler on 041 770 7291.

International Seminar on the Social Teaching of John Paul II

The Multicultural Centre in co-operation with the University of Asia and the Pacific, Philippines organised an international seminar on contemporary social issues in the teaching of John Paul II held on 4 and 5 December 2008.

List of Current USQ Chaplains

For more information contact  William Conwell.