This Saturday, Fr Andrew Fewings celebrates forty years of priesthood.  Ordained on 15 August in 1980 at Sacred Heart Cathedral,  Fr Andrew is one of the few priests to have received all of his sacraments in the Diocese of Sandhurst and most of them in the one Parish.  Born and raised in Bendigo, he studied at Corpus Christi College and later at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He was Director of Religious Education at the Sandhurst Catholic Education Office for ten years and served as parish priest in various parishes across the Diocese.  Now Parish Priest of Kennington Parish, where he was baptised, Fr Andrew writes about his forty years as a diocesan priest and how staying in place has taken him far.

 8 August was the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross. Well-planned festivities to celebrate her Feast Day in the tenth year since her canonisation on 17 October 2010, have been put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. Nevertheless, there were Masses across the country to celebrate her legacy, many of which can be viewed online. Sr Geraldine Larkins RSJ was the Lector at the St Kilians 10:00am Mass on Sunday 9 August, representing the Sisters of St Joseph in the Diocese of Sandhurst.   

As COVID-19 continues to impact parts of Australia, millions of people around the world are also dealing with the impacts of the virus. Many of these communities were already facing poor sanitation, overcrowding and limited access to healthcare. How can you combat COVID-19 without access to adequate sanitation and healthcare?

Caritas Australia has joined churches and aid agencies for #EndCOVIDForAll, a pledge of support that will be taken to government to show our support for vulnerable communities, because it’s not over until it’s over for everyone.

Caritas Australia stands in solidarity with the people of Beirut and the Lebanese community here in Australia at this time of enormous heartbreak and loss. Caritas Australia has committed to provide immediate response in the form of crucial financial support as part of its already established Middle East Regional Appeal and deliver essential services through its in-country staff and partners.

Adonis Peña reflects on two years as a Sandhurst seminarian.

The end of July marked significant milestones for third-year Sandhurst seminarian Adonis Peña. He celebrated another birthday and two years since his arrival in Australia.  Affectionately known as ‘Don’, and recognisable to many as altar server and lector at the livestreamed St Kilian’s Sunday Mass,  Adonis reflects on his first two years at Corpus Christi College and reveals why he’s now an Essendon supporter and parmigiana connoisseur.

Diane Corro discusses the icon and the woman

"There is so much about Mary MacKillop that inspired me to want to make an icon of her"  says Josephite Associate Diane Corro.  Covid-19 restrictions have given the Josephite a little more time for iconography, which she has discovered is a deeply meditative and prayerful process.  To celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross, Diane shares her icon and thoughts about Mary MacKillop.

We trust Victorians will remain resilient, as we struggle through a second-wave of hte COVID-19 pandemic. We offer a prayer written by Daniel Giles, 'COVID-19 Prayer for Victoria', which can be downlaoded from the Diocese of Sandhurst website. 

Having considered the advice of the Consultors, Bishop Shane has accepted an application from Ezekiel Hangan to become a seminarian for the Diocese of Sandhurst. Ezekiel is currently a third-year student at Corpus Christi College, Carlton.  While he grew up in Melbourne, Ezekiel has had a long association with Bright, where he spent childhood holidays visiting his grandparents.  Ezekiel looks forward to participating in Sandhurst life one Covid-19 restrictions ease. 

Much loved Josephite, Sr Catherine Anne Dean passed away on Thursday 23 July, at St Vincent’s Hospital ICU after several months of ill health. Sr Cathy was loved for her vitality, generosity and caring nature. Her Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Tuesday 28 July, at 12:00 noon. 

In 2020 Project Compassion morphed into the COVID-19 APPEAL.  As could be expected, overall donations were down compared to the year before. Nevertheless, the people of Sandhurst can be extremely proud of their generous contirbution in 2020.  "It is evident that we, the people of Sandhurst, take seriously our Lenten Project Compassion and see it as our faith put into action for the poorest of the poor" says Father Rom Hayes

Grants of up to $20,000 are now available to not-for-profit organisations throughout rural, regional and remote Australia to support projects that improve and strengthen the mental health of their communities through the In a Good Place (IAGP) Program.

Sponsored by CCI Giving, a perpetual foundation established with a $10 million contribution from Catholic Church Insurance Limited, the program provides support for community-driven initiatives that reduce social isolation, increase social participation and connectedness, and encourage people who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues to seek help.

Why are people with disability, illness or injury considered a special group of people, when we all experience human limitations? Daniel Giles reflects on this and other refreshing theological ideas around disability discussed in a book by Fr Justin Glyn, a Jesuit with a lived experience of disability. If you’d like a greater theological understanding of disability, Daniel Giles highly recommends reading “‘Us’ Not ‘Them’: Disability and Catholic Theology and Social Teaching” by Fr Justin Glyn.

Mrs Mary Pianta has been appointed to the role of Disability Contact Coordinator, on a voluntary basis. Mary will liaise with parishes to identify the services, guidelines and specific pastoral care available for people with a disability and their families, and participate in a national network of disability contact coordinators to pool resources and information to support the participation of people with a disability and their families in the faith life of the Church.

We are pleased to share with you the Year in Review 2019 from the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst. The Year in Review shares highlights, reports and financial information regarding our activity in this diocese of the Catholic Church, a region covering North East Victoria, including such cities as Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton and Bendigo. This activity includes our parishes, healthcare facilities, schools, social works and specialised ministries. During the disruption of coronavirus in 2020, the Year in Review 2019 is a welcome reminder of more normal times and the vitality, growth and strength of our cherished local communities.

After seven very busy months meeting clergy, parishioners and board members in parishes and schools across the Diocese, Bishop Shane has commissioned a formal review of current and potential structures of the Diocese. The results of the review will assist and support Bishop Shane in planning for the future of the Diocese by identifying effective structures for the strategic, consultative and administrative needs of the diocese. The review aims to find ways to best embed contemporary standards of good governance, while respecting the authority and responsibilities of the Bishop, and observing the requirements of the Code of Canon Law.

Life has changed. The challenges and opportunities of living during a pandemic have drawn upon our capacities to adjust and adapt, be hopeful, creative and learn new ways to stay connected with others. There are many online resources to enrich your journey in faith, and we have some options for you to explore. Lyn Breen, Adult Faith Education Sandhurst, suggests quality online courses to develop faith understanding and skills for a parish ministry.

Rev. Deacon Adi Indra has had an unusual time in Rome as he continues his studies in Canon Law and prepares for his Ordination to the Priesthood in in September. When Italy went into lockdown Adi’s college community shrunk from 180 people to only 24. For the first time, Australians became the majority at North American College. We can only imagine how this experience has galvanised their friendships as they walked empty corridors…

High on a hill as if reaching for the heavens, the stately Victorian residence Genazzano was bought by Bishop Crane and Bishop Reville in 1888 and has been home to several Sandhurst Bishops since.

Today, surrounded by new houses in the Sandhurst Crest subdivision it is the home of Bishop Shane Mackinlay.

To read more from Sandhurst Archivist, Dr Donna Bailey about the construction and residential history of Genazzano

Having carefully considered the report of the Working Party, I have accepted its recommendation of ‘incorporating all parish schools into one integrated diocesan system under the auspices of the Diocese of Sandhurst.’ I have now commissioned the Working Party to commence phase two of its task: Mapping a clear Incorporation and School Governance Implementation Plan.

Catholic schools are called to live the gospel (love our neighbour) and, in doing this, be guided by Catholic Social Teaching. In summary, a call to uphold dignity, end poverty and promote justice which is how Caritas Australia expresses its aims. Through engagement with both students and teachers, Caritas brings Catholic Social Teaching to life and encourages the concept of ‘think globally, act locally’!

Seeking inspiration to cultivate a flourishing prayer life?
Then join us for our ‘Wheel of Prayer Day’ and explore different forms of prayer to help you sustain a powerful and effective private prayer practice.

This year, the ‘Wheel of Prayer Day’ will be offered live online via ‘Zoom’ on Saturday 8 August 2020. The day will begin with an introductory reflection and the Prayer of the Church (or ‘Liturgy of the Hours’) led by Bishop Shane Mackinlay. Four 45-minute workshops, each offering a brief introduction and experience of prayer will follow.

22 May 2020

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has agreed to entrust the country to the care of Mary Help of Christians on her feast day, seeking her intercession for the safety of all our people especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. 

19 May 2020

The Sandhurst Plenary Council Committee has released a new report,   pdf "Please Change" What Sandhurst Catholics said about Plenary Council Phase 1: Listening and Dialogue (704 KB) .

Click read more to view the report.

14 May 2020

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference released pdf A Word of Encouragement to the Catholic People of Australia (249 KB) , assuring the people of God of their prayers and reasons for hope in this new stage of the response to Coronavirus.

13 May 2020

The Catholic Bishops of Victoria have written a Pastoral Letter regarding the joyous news that churches can reopen for small Masses and private prayer. 

- pdf Read the new Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of Victoria (229 KB)