On August 1, the Sandhurst community came together in Shepparton to honour the exceptional achievements of 15 outstanding Year 10 and 11 students who were awarded the prestigious Bishop Joseph Grech Scholarship. This annual event is a highlight on the calendar of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd (CES), and this year's ceremony was no exception. Two of the recipients were recognised in absentia, but their contributions to their colleges were no less appreciated.

Hundreds of people gathered at St Brendan's Church in Shepparton on Thursday 27 July to celebrate the joyous occasion of Monsignor Peter Jeffrey’s Diamond Jubilee as a Catholic Priest, writes Jenni Kennedy.

“When we listen to the gentle prompting of the Spirit we do not know where we will be led.” Read Monsignor Peter Jeffrey’s Homily reflecting on a combined his and Fr John Ryan’s combined 120 years of priesthood.

The Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council (SMPC) met in Shepparton for the second time last month. After weeks of personal formation and preparation, members were well prepared for the meeting. 

“Peter and John, two fine priests who have served the Church and People with distinction in those varied fields wherever the Spirit led them.  Always Spirit lifters, not Spirit crushers. No matter where they roamed, they always called Sandhurst home.”

In asking you to honour our 1963 Diamond Jubilarians I would like to place the Priestly service of Peter and John initially in the context of the Decade of their Ordination, 1958 to 1965, the five years before their ordination, and five years after. 

Despite sharing a rather popular name, Fr John Ryan is one of a kind and his is a story which will be told. Enjoy Fr John’s speech which he wrote for his diamond jubilee.  

St Patrick’s Wangaratta celebrated 160 years of parish life in May this year.  Parishioners worked hard for months to ensure festivities were fitting for the occasion which was attended by Clergy and dignitaries from across Victoria.  Wangaratta parishioner, Paul Murray, fills us in on the festivities which included a nine-day Novena, Commemorative Mass and luncheon, and sharing a vision for the future.

On Friday, June 23, the final day of Term Two was filled with joy in Yarrawonga as the Sacred Heart College and Sacred Heart Primary School came together to celebrate Sacred Heart Day. It was a day of commemoration and gratitude, as the entire community gathered to honour their shared heritage and values.

Clergy and parishioners of Sandhurst were shocked to discover that the grave of Fr Arthur Gleeson, a former priest of the Diocese, had remained unmarked since his death in 2003.  With Monsignor Frank Marriott at the helm, they banded with the Bendigo RSL to do something about it.  Mal Nolan shares the story.

The 2023 Catholic Education Sandhurst staff retreat focused on Catholic Social Teachings and the impact of the 'Uluru Statement from the Heart’. The presence of Vicki Clark, an OAM recipient, added depth and wisdom to the forum, providing an opportunity for Catholic Education Sandhurst staff to learn about the Yes Campaign and the proposed referendum, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the issue from an Aboriginal perspective.