On 7 September, Monsignor Frank Marriott attended an investiture ceremony for the Queen’s Birthday Honours, where he received a Medal for the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Catholic Church.  For Monsignor Marriott, the significance of the award is that the Catholic Church and priests in particular, can be recognised outside of the Church, for their contribution, not only to their own parishes, but also as a positive influence in broader Australian society.        

At the start of September, Bishop Shane spent a week in Rome for a special formation course for recently ordained bishops.  Usually, this course is conducted each year but, due to COVID-19, had not been held for three years.   Bishop Shane joined a large group of 180 Bishops who were ordained in 2019 and 2020.  A second group of 180 Bishops, who were ordained more recently, will attend the same course later in the month. 

A STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY COSTELLOE SDB, PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE

"Queen Elizabeth was never reticent about acknowledging her Christian faith. Her annual Christmas message invariably focused on Jesus Christ as a model of humble and generous service. It was a model she strived to emulate throughout her long life. May she rest in peace."

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released a guide on gender and identity to support Catholic schools in responding to the individual social and pastoral needs of students.
Created and Loved: A guide for Catholic schools on identity and gender outlines a pastoral approach shaped by the theological, medical and legislative context in which Catholic schools operate. Archbishop Comensoli said Created and Loved is grounded in Christian anthropology, which values the worth and dignity of every person, and also sees each person holistically, rather than defining that person by any single characteristic.

Growing Faith Communities Today: Insights from the Genius of St Paul

The four Sandhurst Scripture Talks on St Paul and accompanying study guides are now available online. The talks cover our current socio-political context and compare it to that of St Paul, paint a picture of Paul as a Man and Preacher, giving an insight into the communities he fostered, and the letters he wrote to them.  Speakers include  Dr Chris Cotter, Rev. Dr Brian Boyle and Dr Rosemary Canavan.

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Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), has backed the federal Green’s two-year rent freeze proposal saying it is an important initiative that should be given serious consideration. Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair, said the rent freeze proposal is a serious idea that must be part of the national debate around the cost-of-living crisis.

“For too long, governments of all shades have taken their hands of the levers that control the economy, it is now time for a rethink, and for the Federal Government to accept that the free market does not have all the answers,” Mr. Sullivan said.

The announcement last week by Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, that the Federal Government will trial longer-term funding contracts and deliver proper indexation to community services funding grants, is welcome news for Australia’s community services sector.

Bishop Shane celebrated the Farewell Mass at St Francis Church, Bethanga on Saturday 20 August. Wodonga priests, Fr Junjun Amaya PP, Fr Uday Marneni AP and Fr Adi Indra AP concelebrated at this final Mass in Bethanga, which Fr Junjun described as bittersweet. The timber church, which was built in 1876 is now up for sale.

In his Homily, Bishop Shane said the Mass was a day to celebrate and acknowledge the faith and tradition of those who had worshipped in St Francis over the last 140 years.

Dr Donna Bailey, Sandhurst archivist, shares a history of the Church.