Australian Jesuit composer Fr Christopher Willcock SJ has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Australian Catholic University (ACU) for his contribution to liturgical music within the Catholic Church.

Knights of the Southern Cross is a Catholic fraternal group who are committed to promoting the Christian way of life and supporting the works of the Church. Without seeking recognition, they give of their time and talents. Small acts of kindness, ushering in church or major fundraising activities are all part of their ministry.
But it is not ‘all work and no play’!

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Sandhurst seminarians shared their testimony with the faithful in the parish of their Holy Week placement. Jackson Saunders at Echuca, Adonis Peña at St Brendan’s, Shepparton, Ezekiel Hangan at St Kilian’s, Bendigo and Dominic Manatad in Wangaratta.

On Anzac Day memorial services were held across the country, not to glorify war, but to honour and remember the sacrifices of the service men and women who served and are serving in the armed forces today. Amongst these service men and women have been Catholic priests, working as Chaplains. One such priest was Rev. Fr Frederick Charles O’Connor.  We share his story recounted by Mr Murray Poustie in his book,  'Chaplains at War'.

By 2058 it is expected there will be more than 1.5 million Australians over the age of 85.  The way we 'care' for our most senior citizens needs genuine broad-scale reform particularly with regard to funding and staffing.  CHA is urging the Australian government to adopt the Australian Aged Care Collaboration's recommendations in its new report 'Aged Care  — The Way Forward'. 

Stella Maris Australia, has signed up to the international Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change, which calls for seafarers to be considered essential workers, and therefore have earlier access to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as better practices to facilitate changes of crew.  Australia is heavily reliant on the delivery of goods by sea, there is a moral obligation to ensure the health and well-being of seafarers in general. 

In late March, for the last six years parishioners of St Augustine's Church, Kyabram have celebrated in gratitude for the year's abundance with an annual Harvest Mass.  

This year, the brunch held after Mass was a bit different due to COVID-19 restrictions, but parishioners were grateful for the opportunity to gather for Mass and afterwards enjoy each other's good company. 

Catholics in Australia are being encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them, with the relevant Bishops Commission saying it is morally permissible to accept any vaccine, while encourages governments to conduct all medical research and health delivery in moral ways, and to offer patients a choice of options.

Long-time St Vincent de Paul volunteer Mr Mike Iverson is the embodiment of servant leadership, writes Barb Anglin, President of SVDP North Eastern Central Council. His 55 years of dedicated service was formally acknowledged at the St Vincent de Paul Society Upper Murray and Wangaratta Regions’ Festival in Rutherglen on Sunday 18 April.

St Mary's Mooroopna parsishioners Mary and Allan Mcgrath celebrated sixty years since their wedding at Sacred Heart Tatura in April 1961. They credit being prepared to give and take as the secret to a happy marriage, and say their faith has helped them to get through the tough times, writes Brenda Pye.