Shepparton Catholic, Jobelle Collier, 30, has fulfilled a childhood dream of competing in The Amazing Race Australia with her father, Rani Alegre. Seminarian Jackson Saunders asks Jobelle (aka Erika) about the experience and the role her faith played as she competed in 'The Amazing Race'.

On International Women’s Day, Caritas Australia joins development and aid organisations all over the world in demonstrating support for gender equality and celebrating the achievements of women worldwide.

The Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry is hosting a national consultation of Catholic Women. This online event provides the opportunity for Catholic Women to share stories of their contribution to our Church and to articulate their vision for the mission of the Catholic Church in Australia.  

On 21 January Catholic Women’s League members came from all over the state to celebrate 90 years of the Catholic Women's League in Shepparton.  Since the first Annual Meeting of the CWL Shepparton was held on 19 December 1930, there has been much change.  CWL members have rolled up their sleeves and without much fanfare, assisted people in their community throughout difficult times such as the Great Depression, World War II, drought and more; all the while providing opportunites for members to share faith and companionship. 

This year, Caritas has been offering an exciting new component to Project Compassion: Virtual Immersions - the chance to interact online with Caritas international program staff. Wangaratta Social Justice Team held such an event where attendees were able to pray, reflect, learn and discuss with a focus on the story of Oliva in Tanzania. Kerry Stone shares her experience of the evening.

Wunghnu local, Alf Seiter, says  God's guiding hand helped him restore a damaged crucific which fitted so perfectly in the grotto he made thirty years ago.  The crucifix was found in the Shepparton parish maintenance shed and is now the magnificent centrepiece of the grotto and focal point for a recent Candlemas.

Yarrawonga’s Emily Crossland, 24, is volunteering as a member of the Perth Youth Mission Team and hopes her conversion story will inspire others. Jackson Saunders writes more.

Tuesday 30 March at 11.00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo

The Chrism Mass or Mass of the Oils is one of the principal annual celebrations of our Diocese. It is a celebration of the priesthood of the faithful, lay and ordained. The people of God in our diocese gather with our Bishop. During the Mass the oils used for sacraments - the oil of the sick, the oil of baptism, and the Chrism oil - are blessed and distributed for the use of parishes throughout the year. It is also the occasion for the priests of the diocese to renew the promises taken at their ordination to serve God’s people faithfully, in imitation of Christ. The Chrism Mass will be held this year on Tuesday 30 March @ 11 am in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo. All are welcome.

Jesuit Communications Australia (Jescom) has launched the 2021 Young Voices Awards, offering students  the chance to advocate on issues of importance to them.

The Young Australian Catholic Voices Awards aim to encourage more young people to consider how they might use the tools and platforms now available to them to make a positive difference in the world.

Fr Francis James Hart passed away on Sunday 3 January 2021 at Simpkin House, Bendigo in the 52nd year of his priesthood.



"Fr Frank Hart was a striking presence, full of energy and passion . . . he was someone who sensed the hidden potential in people, who challenges and stimulates them into having new insights about themselves ..." Cohuna Parishioner

Thursday 18 March 6.00 p.m.

'Building Harmony A Community Approach' is the topic of Guest Speaker, Jeremy Jones AM.  Jeremey believes that different expressions of creativity can enhance interfaith relationships and build bridges on a regional, national and global level in our multicultural society. 

Technology has opened up a world of possibilities for parishes and schools to connect with the development programs that Project Compassion makes possible. This year, for the first time, supporters are able to connect directly with our overseas program staff via ‘Virtual Immersions’. In Week 3 meet Oliva through Caritas Australia’s Africa Programs Coordinator.

Catholic Health Australia has welcomed an independent panel’s findings that hospitals or aged-care facilities should not be forced into participating in an assisted suicide regime should it become law in Tasmania.

Catholic Social Services Australia is among a number of faith-based groups that, along with unions, have expressed deep concerns over proposed changes to the Fair Work Act. CSSA chief executive officer Ursula Stephens says the bill before the Parliament will see a degradation of the rights and incomes of working people, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thirteen Catechumens and five Candidates recently celebrated the Rite of Election with with their Godparents, Sponsors and Bishop Shane Mackinlay at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo. Lyn Breen explains the spiritual journey of adults who wish to join the Catholic Church, and for baptised Catholics who seek full communion with the Church.

Pope Francis has appointed Eaglehawk born and raised Catherine McGrath (nee Reed) as a Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great, in recognition of her personal service in leadership roles with the Catholic Womens’ League and World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations, as well as her positive and generous contribution to her current parish of Mittagong-Bowral in New South Wales.

The Papal Award is one of five honorary Orders of Knighthood awarded by the Holy See for significant service to the Catholic Church. Since 1994, Women have been awarded this honour which bestows recipients with the title of ‘Dame’.

Seventh-year seminarian, Jackson Saunders, reflects on the season of Lent and sport.

"Lent is a journey of hope where amidst the darkness the spotlight in the sports stadium of our lives shines brightly on Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world".

Instrumentum laboris,the working document for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia provides a catalyst for the Church to renew the journey of prayer and discernment toward the first assembly in October, says Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.

Catholic Social Services Australia says the Government’s decision to increase the Jobseeker and Youth Allowance payments by only $50 per fortnight is “deeply disappointing”, “short-sighted” and will perpetuate long-term disadvantage. CEO Ursula Stephens said the increase of just $3.57 per day must be a first step, otherwise generations of Australians will face entrenched disadvantage.

On Shrove Tuesday, Kerry Stone reflects on what should have been! Sadly, our Project Compassion Launch became a casualty of COVID-19 but there was a silver lining to the cloud. Kerry then invites us all to join in on a great new Caritas initiative called Virtual Immersions.

Wednesday 3 March, St Joseph's, Benalla

The annual conference of the  Catholic Women's League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga will commence with Holy Mass at 10.00 a.m.   Fr Vijay Bandanadam, Administrator of Benalla Parish will be the guest speaker.   The CWL always welcomes new members.

Pope Francis’ Lenten message for 2021 was published on 12 February.

"The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father."

"Why go back to Mass?' is the theme for the next Goulburn Valley Spirituality in the Pub (GV SIP) event will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday 1 March at the Terminus Hotel, 212-226 High Street, Shepparton. Cathy Jenkins, Assistant to the Direcotr: Leadership at Catholic Education and Alma Limbrick, Pastoral Associate of Kyabram Parish and a convenor of GV SIP will start the conversation.  

Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India, has recently been awarded the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Award 2020 for COVID-19 Humanitarian Efforts.

The award recognises the tireless work of Caritas India during the pandemic to reach the most vulnerable communities.

Catholic Social Services Australia CEO Ursula Stephens says the failure to retain the higher Jobseeker rate provided during the pandemic will create financial pressure on families that could last for generations.