16 October 2019

The Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev Shane Mackinlay, Eighth Bishop of Sandhurst, took place at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at 12:00 noon.  Below is his first address to the public.

Mass of Thanksgiving
15th September, 2019

"And so, today I want to assure all the priests and parishioners of the Diocese of Sandhurst that as I move gently into retirement, I will hold on to many beautiful memories, including those of the prayerful liturgies and celebrations in in this Cathedral, the welcoming priests and parishioners on parish visitations and Confirmations which provided me opportunities to meet so many. " - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Sister Mary Christopher of the Child Jesus. Diamond Jubilee Mass
16th August, 2019

"Today is a day of jubilee, a day of rejoicing, for we are celebrating a 60 years of the consecrated life of Sister Mary Christopher of the Child Jesus. What a witness to commitment and fidelity! Sixty years ago, Sister Christopher professed her first vows of religious consecration – poverty, chastity and obedience." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

 Pentecost
9th June, 2019

"In 2019 as we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, I am convinced that the Spirit is already actively at work preparing us for a new springtime of growth and abundance in faith in our Church. But I ponder on the question: How can we encourage ourselves to be more alert and open to the Holy Spirit, who is calling us and “gifting” us for the service of the Gospel?" - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Pentecost
8th June, 2019

"Friends, reflect with me on the sheer joy and confidence of that prayer! We call on the Holy Spirit because we believe the Spirit can change us and change the world. The Spirit can renew the face of the earth. The Spirit can bring us new life; The Spirit can “rejuvenate” us!" - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Catholic Theological College Mass
St John’s Church, East Melbourne

"... The Apostles never forgot the ways in which the Lord touched their lives. They spoke about them, wrote about them, and handed them on as a true treasure, as we hear today from Peter and Paul and Matthew. Their lives nourish and challenge us for mission in today’s changing world.." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Blessing of the La Valla Building
MARIST COLLEGE

"Each of us has to remember that the primary task of every Catholic school is to teach the Catholic faith, so that it may be lived and may enrich the society of our time. I am indeed grateful for the contribution, which Marist Brothers have made in the Diocese of Sandhurst, to this major objective." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Housekeepers and Secretaries Mass
St Brendan’s Parish, Shepparton

"In your own way, you and your service are part of the mission of the Church in supporting, empowering and caring for one another and especially those in need." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

CEO Jubilarians’ Mass
St Kilian’s Church, Bendigo

"Catholic Education and the world, interact in a context that is culturally and socially diverse. This demands of you courageous fidelity to the charism that distinguishes you as a Catholic Educator." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

 Blessing of Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Centre
Catherine McAuley College, Coolock Campus

"Named in honour of one of the pioneering Mercy Sisters who came to Bendigo in 1876, the learning spaces in this contemporary facility are designed to provide enhanced learning opportunities to enrich our students’ skills and educational pathways, today and into the future." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Easter Morning Homily 2019

"Happy Easter to you, your families and friends as we celebrate this great Feast!” - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Vigil of Easter Homily 2019

"Christ is Risen, Alleluia!” - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Good Friday Solemn Liturgy Homily 2019

"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Mass of the Lord's Supper 2019

“O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine!” - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Chrism Mass 2019

"I thank God for our faithful people, friends, family and brother priests – like those present with us in the Cathedral today – who offer us consolation, loving support and understanding, who stand by us in trials, stay close to us in adversity, and sustain our vocations by their solidarity and forgiveness." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Palm Sunday 2019

"The Passion invites us to look at ourselves:  our inability to forgive, to understand, to see the bigger picture that love sees." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Solemnity of St Joseph
Benalla

"St. Joseph may have been a simple carpenter, but today he is venerated as one of the greatest saints in the Church. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. The Church has been observing this feast since the 10th century." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

School Year Commencement Mass
Galen College Wangaratta

"Furthermore, because this is a Catholic school, our hearts are very important to us. We learn here how to welcome Jesus into our hearts. We first did this in a special way when we made our first Holy Communion, and every time we receive Our Lord in the Eucharist. When we welcome Jesus into our hearts, he comes with all the people he loves." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Commencement of School Year Mass
Marist College Bendigo - Sacred Heart Cathedral

"As a Marist school community let us take great comfort and encouragement knowing that God is with us, a God who continually draws us to true happiness through experiences of encounter and love in the blessed ordinariness of our lives." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

Catholic Education Office Sandhurst
Staff Commencement of Year Mass

"This is also an opportunity to reflect on the fact that Catholic Education is a task that we embrace. The child is at the centre of our care, and indeed in our work with others when we work as a team in the child’s best interests. We hope to do this in a spirit of selflessness, gentleness and patience, and in an atmosphere of peace which binds us together." - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson

St Joseph’s College, Echuca
Friday 1st February, 2019

"We warmly welcome our new students, families and staff who begin their Brigidine journey with us this year. We celebrate today all the gifts we will share this year and we look forward to exploring and engaging in learning that unlocks all possibilities for each and every one!" - Bishop Leslie Tomlinson