Reports and proposals of small groups at the First Assembly of the Plenary Council have been documented and collated into one document. The report published on 9 December, includes reports and proposals for consideration relating to the 16 questions put to members at the First Assembly.

Semester II 

The Diocese is again offering scholarships for Sandhurst parishioners to study theology at a post-graduate level in 2022.  The initiative aims to support the mission formation of parishioners who, are already in or are seeking pastoral leadership roles in the Diocese.  The courses will be delivered online by Catholic Theological College Melbourne.

By Bishop Donald Sproxton,  Bishop Delegate for Disability Issues 

Friday 3 December marks the International Day of People with Disability and provides an opportunity to celebrate the lives, contributions and achievements of the 4.4 million Australians living with disability.  

Lyn Breen. has prepared a list of resources which you might find useful to  to enrich your Advent journey.   From videos, reflections, prayers and online retreats, there is are a lot of online tools to help you to prepare for Christmas.

You may like to enrich your Advent journey with one or two of the resources and opportunities available online in 2021.

"An orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus'' (Luke 1:3-4).

A new year in the Church’s calendar begins with the First Sunday of Advent 2021 and the Gospel of Luke will be the focus on many Sunday readings until Advent 2022, writes Lyn Breen. 

Australia’s Catholic bishops, on the recommendation of their key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisers, have endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Among the key recommendations of the Uluru Statement are the establishment of a First Nations “Voice” to the Australian Parliament and a commission to supervise a process of “truth-telling” between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Pope Francis has appointed Sydney priest Fr Danny Meagher, the former rector of Good Shepherd Seminary, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

A seven-year transition towards sustainability in the spirit of integral ecology.

Bishop Shane has signed the Sandhurst Diocese up to the international ‘Laudato Si’ Action Platform’, committing the Diocese to a seven-year journey towards the seven Laudato Si’ goals identified by Pope Francis in his encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ on Care for Our Common Home’. This follows the commitment of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in their recent Social Justice Statement, ‘Care for the Earth, Care for the Poor’.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the introduction of the Religious Discrimination Bill, which will provide basic human rights protections for Australians of all faiths and none to express their beliefs.

Congratulations to Year 11 student, Jess Mangan from Sacred Heart College Yarrawonga who has been recognised with a Highly Commended Award through the Australian Business Council Network’s Accelerate program. The commendation is one of only 25 awarded nationally each year and will provide Jess with mentoring as well as $500 to go towards educational expenses.

After 4o years of dedication to Catholic Education, well-loved FCJ Benalla teacher Linda Dube is retiring.  "We will miss here cheery and calming presence at school, but we will always remember with deep gratitude her commitment and love of learning," writes fellow teacher Jane Branigan. 

After we have coped with challenging COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, ‘The Journey Onwards’ is the theme of the Sandhurst Diocese Advent leaflets for 2021. Click Read More to view the resources.

With the Laudato Si Action Platform (see previous/following article) now moving into the commitment phase, Catholic Earthcare has launched Earthcare Parishes, a simple program to assist parishes on the journey towards the seven Laudato Si’ Goals and to becoming living Laudato Si’ communities.

The much-awaited enrolment phase of the Laudato Si'Action Platform was launched by the Vatican last Sunday. A Vatican-led initiative, the Action Platform aims to empower the Universal Church to work towards real sustainability in the spirit of integral ecology. The Diocese of Sandhurst is commited to signing up to the Laudato Si' Action Platform, writes Kerry Stone.

This Organ and Brass Concert, presented by Victoria Brass, under the baton of renowned musician Dr Matthew van Emmerik, who will return to his hometown for a one-night only concert at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

As conductor of the  Organ and Brass Concert, Dr van Emmerik will lead a group of elite brass musicians from across the state in is the first concert of 'Victoria Brass' since COVID-19 restrictions eased.

It is wonderful to have the MacKillop Art Exhibition back in the Sacred Heart Cathedral this year after an online exhibition was held last year due to Covid restrictions. This year you can see the exhibition at Sacred Heart Cathedral or view it online; You can also vote for your favourite artwork, writes Jenni Kennedy.

Catholic Mission has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, focusing on the urgent need for effective medical care for babies and young children in Malawi where easily treatable illnesses such as malaria and malnutrition are rampant. Staff at the LIsanjala Health Clinic in remote Malawi are working tirelessly to provide health care to these children. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the governments’ response to it, have had a disproportionate negative impact on people living with a disability. Nevertheless, it hasn’t all been bad news, writes Diocesan Disability Coordinator, Mary Pianta.

This Sunday 21 November is the 36th World Youth Day. Ruth Lawlor from Sandhurst Youth Ministry reflects on Pope Francis’ message to all young people as we look towards the Sandhurst World Youth Day celebration this Saturday.

Saturday 20 November
St Kilian's Parish, Bendigo

This Saturday, young people from across the Diocese are invited to attend the Sandhurst World Youth Day celebrations in Bendigo. Guests include Gen Bryant, Josh Angrisano and Romina Martiniello, as well as Sandhurst’s Bishop Shane Mackinlay and Fr Rob Galea.

Doxa School Bendigo prides itself on being a welcoming place, so it comes as no surprise that they have chosen to feature an artwork in their foyer which provides a cultural welcome to all who enter the space. The original design by indigenous artist Troy Firebrace features an Acknowledgement of Country with the heading Wominjeka, meaning welcome; writes Jenni Kennedy. 

By Lyn Breen 

The Feast of Christ the King marks the end of the liturgical year. It’s a time for us to reflect and pray about the values that shape our lives and the ways we have travelled over the last year.

Catholic Health Australia has awarded leading Catholic bioethicist Reverend Dr Joseph Parkinson its highest honour for his contribution to health and education. Dr Parkinson was awarded the CHA 2021 Sr Maria Cunningham Lifetime Contribution Award at the organisation’s national awards ceremony on 11 November 2021.

Leaders of faith communities in Victoria have written an open letter to the Attorney-General regarding the Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Amendment Bill 2021. The letter, printed in The Age on 16 November, expresses their grave concerns about the proposed amendments which it calls a ‘gross overreach’ by a Government ‘seeking to dictate how faith communities should run their organisations.’

Pope Francis has appointed Fr Tim Norton, a priest of the Society of the Divine Word, as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Fr Norton, born and raised in Australia, has spent much of his priestly ministry overseas, including the past several years in Italy. He has served as head of the Australian Province of his order and spent time as vice-president of Catholic Religious Australia.