"We can take a national and international perspective on migrants and refugees. This is good. Yet, if our concerns do not start with our neighbours, so many of whom are migrants and refugees in Australia, then something is very wrong."

Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Chairman Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry, reflects on Pope Francis' message for Migrant and Refugee Sunday. 

Heartfelt tributes have poured out from across the Diocese and beyond for Fr Paul Purcell.  

We share with you the following:

The Homily at the prayer vigil for Fr Paul by Fr Junray Rayna

Fr Paul's eulogy by his niece, Clare O'Brien

THe Homily at Fr Paul's Funeral Mass by Fr Rom Hayes.

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2021

In the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, I expressed a concern and a hope that remain uppermost in my thoughts: “Once this health crisis passes, our worst response would be to plunge even more deeply into feverish consumerism and new forms of egotistic self-preservation. God willing, after all this, we will think no longer in terms of ‘them’ and ‘those’, but only ‘us’” (No. 35).

After an initial delay in 2021, the annual Archbishop’s dinner will now be held on Friday 5 November at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli will be the Guest Speaker and former race-caller, Bryan Martin will be the Master of Ceremonies. The event is a major fundraiser for the Priests Support and Education Fund, helping seminarians and military chaplains with the cost of their studies.

Sandhurst seminarian, Jackson Saunders, offers this second article in his three-part series on the life of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We consider the establishment of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Penola and their expansion into Adelaide and beyond. However, troubles arose, and Mary went to Rome, before the Institute made Sydney their Mother House.

“I don’t know about you; however, I must admit that there have been times where I have gone through the motions reciting the Apostles Creed. We often rattle through the words without contemplating their beauty and meaning in our Catholic faith.”

Seminarian, Jackson Saunders, reflects on the Creed. 

His Holiness, Pope Francis has invited participants in the fifth Mission: One Heart Many Voices conference, to a “renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the bond of unity and love.” In a message forwarded by the Apostolic Nunciature to Fr Brian Lucas, National Director of Catholic Mission, Pope Francis sent cordial greetings and good wishes to all those taking part in the three-day conference

Part One of a Three part series. 

Mary MacKillop was canonised as St Mary of the Cross and became Australia’s first Saint in 2010 became Australia's first Saint.  In the first of a three-part series, Sandhurst seminarian, Jackson Saunders, looks back at her life, the establishment of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, which she co-founded, and their work in the Sandhurst Diocese.

The Sisters of the Good Samaritan Study and Mentoring (SAM) Program offers financial assistance for women undertaking tertiary studies at a recognised theological institution. Core components of the program include opportunities for spiritual direction, mentoring and dialogue with like-minded women.

By Kerry Stone

With all the crises currently being reported including COVID, climate events and Afghanistan, little is being heard of the disaster unfolding in Lebanon.

Lebanon has reached boiling point from enduring a series of crises that have been escalating over the past 18 months. Today, the population faces a dire humanitarian crisis with the country rapidly running out of power, water, fuel, medicine and food.