“I am delighted to formalise the continuing presence of the Community of the Sons and Daughters of God in the Parish of Dookie, continuing the arrangement initiated by Bishop Joe Grech and carried on by Bishop Les Tomlinson. Over the last year, I have heard many people in the Diocese speak of ways in which they have been enriched by the presence of the Community amongst us. I am grateful for the continuing witness of Fr Doroteo and Br Massimo to the baptismal call made to each of us to listen attentively to God’s Word and respond generously as missionary disciples,” said Bishop Shane.

St Augustine of Canterbury Monastic House is home to Superior of the Dookie Community, Br Massimo Chang and Fr Doroteo Bravi.  The Monks are at the core of the monastic community which also has lay members who live in the wider community in the Shepparton area.

The late Bishop Joe Grech was keen to have a place for prayer and retreats in his Diocese and invited the Community to Sandhurst. The first agreement between Bishop Joe Grech and the Community was signed in late 2009, the second agreement with Bishop Leslie Tomlinson was in early 2015 and the third, with Bishop Shane MacKinlay this year.

The Community of the Sons and Daughters of God is financially independent of the Diocese and the Community operates separately from the Parish of Dookie, which is administered by Sandhurst Priest and Vicar General, Very Rev. Joe Taylor.

The Community of the Sons and Daughters of God was founded in Italy in 1947 and was recognised as a public Association of the Faithful by the Catholic Church in 1984. There are now communities in many parts of the world, with about 100 consecrated members in Australia. Members of the include of Priests, Monks and lay people, many of them married.

The Community does not have an Apostolate, but “aims to help men and women to uphold the absolute primacy of God through a life of faith, humility, silence and prayer.”

Present for the occasion were (L-r) Fr Varghese Vithayathil, Syro-Malabar Chaplain resident in Shepparton; Very Rev. Joe Taylor VG, Administrator of Dookie Parish and Parish Priest of Shepparton; Bishop Shane Mackinlay; Fr Doroteo Bravi and Superior, Br Massimo Chang of the Community of the Sons and Daughters of God.