28 October 2020.  Media Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Victoria.  

“On 1 January 2021, the Archdiocese of Melbourne, the Diocese of Ballarat, the Diocese of Sandhurst and the Diocese of Sale will unite in common mission to advance the ministry of Catholic social services in Victoria. 

The St Vincent de Paul’s Society's  ‘Assist a Student Program’ gives you the opportunity to provide funding to support the education of a student in one of their partner countries for one year.  In 2020, the program is supporting 2,400 students in Cambodia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

By Mary Pianta 

World Polio Day is observed on October 24 every year, to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, the researcher who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis. He developed the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (1955), after which Albert Sabin developed the oral vaccine which came into use in 1961.

Applications are now open for an Australian Women’s Leadership Program. The Leadership for Mission program, a joint initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the Australian Catholic University, is designed by and for women who are inspired by the Gospel vision of justice, freedom and the dignity of the human person.

Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) supports the spirit and direction of The Light from the Southern Cross Report (the Report) and its vision for the Church. The ecclesiology, scriptural and theological basis for the Report is strong and relevant for a healthy Church in the third millennium.

Lyn Breen reports on a lively sharing of ideas and initaives at the 'Care for Our Common Home'  Zoom gathering of 9 October.  Parishioners  from parishes across the diocese shared ideas about ways to 'care for our common home',  and reported on projects and initiatives their parishes are undertaking to be more sustainable.

By Kerry Stone

We have just emerged from the Season of Creation but we are in the midst of the Anniversary Year of Laudato Si' declared by Pope Francis in May to celebrate five years since the publication of his encyclical.

Catholic Earthcare, a program of Caritas Australia, has produced a wonderful new resource for parishes to guide reflection and action, based on the multi-year roll-out plan for action outlined by Pope Francis when he declared the Anniversary Year.

The Sandhurst Diocese ‘Pathways for Families 2021’ online resource contains a wide variety of live links to information, networks and resources to enrich, interest and support families in their continuing journeys in Faith, Prayer, Spirituality, Connections to the wider community, and much more.

By Jackson Saunders

As the finish line for the 2020 academic year approaches, Jackson Saunders, reflects upon finishing studies for the year within the parish in his monthly column, The View from Home.

By Olivia Keating 

After a start-stop start-stop start to the year, Foundation students at St Peter’s Primary School in North Bendigo have just celebrated 100 days of learning in an ingenious and fun-filled way.  No doubt these students are thrilled to back in a school environment and with such amazing teachers: what student wouldn't be?

By Jackson Saunders

St Therese’s Kennington parishioner, Barb Anglin, has been officially commissioned as the North East Central Council President of St Vincent de Paul Society. Her role encompasses an area including the Sandhurst Diocese and beyond.

By Bishop Shane Mackinlay

October 2020
The first anniversary of a new home, a wedding, a new job or a new school often prompts two contrasting responses: ‘Where did the year go?’ and ‘Before this, feels like another world away!’  

YOU ARE INVITED to a ‘Zoom’ gathering THIS FRIDAY 9th October 2.00-3.00 pm to discuss suggestions for action to ‘Care for Our Common Home’, including a Parish Environmental Audit tool to adapt for local situations, and further resources.

This invitation is for parish leaders, parishioners, community groups & networks, families and individuals. *An evening ‘Zoom’ gathering will be offered later in October. To receive zoom link for Friday 9th October zoom gathering email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Click Read More for additional Resources

The Covid pandemic has graced us with an opportunity to continue the process of prayerful discernment as we prepare for the Plenary. Sandhurst Diocese responded enthusiastically to the first phases of consultation and discussion. The responses of all the Australian dioceses have now been gathered into six thematic papers which now guide this stage of further prayerful discernment. A suggested program for our Diocese on how we can prayerfully reflect with these papers has been formulated.

A world that looks beyond a global pandemic with no roadmap can find one in Pope Francis’ new encyclical, which Archbishop Mark Coleridge says “is not just for believers but for the entire human family”.

Published on 4 October, the Pope’s third encyclical is entitled Fratelli Tutti (Brothers and Sisters All) – words taken from St Francis of Assisi, who the Pope says has inspired what he writes.

By Fr Andrew Fewings 

St Therese's in Kennington Parish has started celebrating Mass outdoors in line with Victorian Government Restrictions. It's disapointing that Churches are only allowed ten people at an outdoor Mass, while hospitality venues are permitted up to fifty people. Nevetheless, Parishioners are to be commended on their willingness to 'share' Mass times with others and follow all of the government pandemic guidelines withough much fuss.   

By Mary Pianta

International Week of the Deaf is an opportunity to honour Deaf culture and language, and raise vital awareness about social inclusion and communication barriers. The focus this year was on Auslan and ‘Sign Language Rights for All.'

The Areté Centre for Missionary Leadership has launched its 2021 program and is open for enrolments. After a successful inaugural year with a cohort of enthusiastic participants, the Areté Centre is presenting opportunities in 2021 for study that couples theological knowledge with dynamic and life-changing encounters with the living God.

The Arete Centre aspires to form and equip pastoral and ministry leaders in servant leadership, to live up to their God-given potential to participate in the Church’s mission in the world today.

By Kerry Stone

The Catholic Earthcare Convocation lived up to its promise, taking participants on a journey of formation, foundation and action throughout the Season of Creation in September. There were around 100 participants at each session. Faces on the Zoom screen regularly included Sandhurst parishioners and teachers. Sandhurst Caritas/Justice Coordinator, Kerry Stone, was one of a panel of speakers who shared their responses on the final day of the Convocation.

The Catholic Bishops of Victoria have written an open letter to Premier Daniel Andrews raising concerns of unfairness in COVID restrictions to people of faith."Catholic communities have shown their commitment to acting responsibly and cooperatively throughout the pandemic, and they will be greatly encouraged in this if they can see that people of faith are being given the same consideration as other sectors of the community.” 

Barnabas Fund works to provide hope and aid for the persecuted Church, from Christians, to Christians, through Christians.

Barnabas Fund also supports prayer groups and acts as a conduit for information and prayer between persecuted Christians worldwide and those who are able to pray for them.

A number of Barnabas Prayer Groups in the Sandhurst Diocese facilitate prayers on behalf of persecuted Christians. All sincere prayers are welcome to join.

Fr John Naughton passed away peacefully at Ave Maria Shepparton on Wednesday 2 September, 2020. In memory of Fr John, we provide eulogies written by his brother, Peter Naughton, and family friend and fellow priest, Monsignor Frank Marriott. Fr John’s Funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Shane Mackinlay at St Brendan’s Church in Shepparton on Wednesday 9 September and can still be viewed online. If you would like to view the Mass click here.

Diocesan Disability Contact Coordinator, Mary Pianta, is excited to help Sandhurst parishes to learn from each other and other dioceses, about ways in which we can all foster the full participation of people living with disability in parish life. To do this, Mary is seeking people from each parish to act as disability contacts, so we can share our stories and work together to implement positive change.

11 October 2020

This year the Annual Bendigo Marian Festival will take place with a small gathering at St Liborius' Church, Eaglehawk. You are invited to join in the proceedings online. Starting at 10:30 a.m. with Mass celebrated by Fr Stephen Bolling, Spiritual Director to the Bendigo Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima.

by John Murphy, president of RAR Bendigo.

Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) is a network of groups in regional and rural Australia made up of concerned citizens working to support refugees and advocate for people seeking asylum. There are several RAR groups in the Sandhurst area, RAR Bendigo is one of them. John Murphy, President of RAR Bendigo writes about their mission and activities and invites you to consider joining your local group.