Caritas Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Beirut and the Lebanese community here in Australia at this time of enormous heartbreak and loss. Caritas Australia has committed to provide immediate response in the form of crucial financial support as part of its already established Middle East Regional Appeal and deliver essential services through its in-country staff and partners.

Adonis Peña reflects on two years as a Sandhurst seminarian.

The end of July marked significant milestones for third-year Sandhurst seminarian Adonis Peña. He celebrated another birthday and two years since his arrival in Australia.  Affectionately known as ‘Don’, and recognisable to many as altar server and lector at the livestreamed St Kilian’s Sunday Mass,  Adonis reflects on his first two years at Corpus Christi College and reveals why he’s now an Essendon supporter and parmigiana connoisseur.

Diane Corro discusses the icon and the woman

"There is so much about Mary MacKillop that inspired me to want to make an icon of her"  says Josephite Associate Diane Corro.  Covid-19 restrictions have given the Josephite a little more time for iconography, which she has discovered is a deeply meditative and prayerful process.  To celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross, Diane shares her icon and thoughts about Mary MacKillop.

We trust Victorians will remain resilient, as we struggle through a second-wave of hte COVID-19 pandemic. We offer a prayer written by Daniel Giles, 'COVID-19 Prayer for Victoria', which can be downlaoded from the Diocese of Sandhurst website. 

Having considered the advice of the Consultors, Bishop Shane has accepted an application from Ezekiel Hangan to become a seminarian for the Diocese of Sandhurst. Ezekiel is currently a third-year student at Corpus Christi College, Carlton.  While he grew up in Melbourne, Ezekiel has had a long association with Bright, where he spent childhood holidays visiting his grandparents.  Ezekiel looks forward to participating in Sandhurst life one Covid-19 restrictions ease. 

Much loved Josephite, Sr Catherine Anne Dean passed away on Thursday 23 July, at St Vincent’s Hospital ICU after several months of ill health. Sr Cathy was loved for her vitality, generosity and caring nature. Her Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Tuesday 28 July, at 12:00 noon. 

In 2020 Project Compassion morphed into the COVID-19 APPEAL.  As could be expected, overall donations were down compared to the year before. Nevertheless, the people of Sandhurst can be extremely proud of their generous contirbution in 2020.  "It is evident that we, the people of Sandhurst, take seriously our Lenten Project Compassion and see it as our faith put into action for the poorest of the poor" says Father Rom Hayes

Grants of up to $20,000 are now available to not-for-profit organisations throughout rural, regional and remote Australia to support projects that improve and strengthen the mental health of their communities through the In a Good Place (IAGP) Program.

Sponsored by CCI Giving, a perpetual foundation established with a $10 million contribution from Catholic Church Insurance Limited, the program provides support for community-driven initiatives that reduce social isolation, increase social participation and connectedness, and encourage people who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues to seek help.

Why are people with disability, illness or injury considered a special group of people, when we all experience human limitations? Daniel Giles reflects on this and other refreshing theological ideas around disability discussed in a book by Fr Justin Glyn, a Jesuit with a lived experience of disability. If you’d like a greater theological understanding of disability, Daniel Giles highly recommends reading “‘Us’ Not ‘Them’: Disability and Catholic Theology and Social Teaching” by Fr Justin Glyn.

Mrs Mary Pianta has been appointed to the role of Disability Contact Coordinator, on a voluntary basis. Mary will liaise with parishes to identify the services, guidelines and specific pastoral care available for people with a disability and their families, and participate in a national network of disability contact coordinators to pool resources and information to support the participation of people with a disability and their families in the faith life of the Church.