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SANDHURST MISSION AND PASTORAL COUNCIL (SMPC)
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Inaugural meeting at St Brendan's, Shepparton
The Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council (SMPC) held its inaugural meeting on Friday 28 April and Saturday 29 April. Council members spent time in prayer, getting to know each other, practising authentic listening and dialogue and considering the strategic directions identified in the Final Report on the Preparation and Consultation Meetings for the SMPC.
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SANDHURST THEOLOGY AND CPE SCHOLARSHIPS
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Sandhurst is again aiming to support the mission formation of parishioners by offering scholarships for parish pastoral leaders and would-be leaders to study Theology or Clinical Pastoral Education at Catholic Theological College Melbourne in Semester II, 2023.
Scholarships are available for Sandhurst parishioners to study online post-graduate courses in theology at Catholic Theological College, Melbourne.
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SANDHURST SCRIPTURE TALKS
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"The Council of Jerusalem" [Acts 15: 5-29]
presented by Dr Rosemary Canavan
7.00 p.m. Tuesday 23 May via Zoom
The third of Three Scripture Talks in this series 'Acts of the Apostles: Making decisions with the Holy Spirit". Make sure to register for Zoom details.
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WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 2023
Speaking with the heart. “The truth in love” (Eph 4:15)
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“We should not be afraid of proclaiming the truth, but of doing so without charity, without heart.”
Because “the Christian’s programme” — as Benedict XVI wrote — “is ‘a heart which sees’”. A heart that reveals the truth of our being with its beat and that, for this reason, should be listened to. This leads those who listen to attune themselves to the same wavelength, to the point of being able to hear within their heart also the heartbeat of the other. Then the miracle of encounter can take place, which makes us look at one another with compassion, welcoming our mutual frailties with respect rather than judging by hearsay and sowing discord and division.
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In his message for this year’s World Social Communications Day Pope Francis builds on the themes of his recent World Communications Day messages.
In 2021 he asked us to Encounter People Where and as They Are. In 2022 he asked us to Listen with the Ear of the Heart. This year, he calls for us to seek and speak the truth and to do so with a pure heart and with charity.
"The call to speak with the heart radically challenges the times in which we are living," writes Pope Francis, reminding us that "communication should never be reduced to something artificial, but rather a reflection of the soul," and that listening, hearing each other and speaking our truth is the "most precious and life-giving gift we can offer each other."
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AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS REFLECT ON POPE'S MESSAGE
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"Pope Francis’ message invites us to reflect on how our words,which are capable of doing good for others, can touch the most hardened of hearts."
Cardinal John Dew,addressing the Australian Catholic Press Association last week. Read more in story by Fiona Basile.
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ONE HEART MANY VOICES - TRUTH TELLING AND SPEAKING WITH THE HEART THEMES OF CATHOLIC MISSION CONFERENCE
"We are a diverse people, there are bound to be differing opinions, but that doesn't necessarily mean there is conflict."
Dean Parkin, Director of From the Heart and Yes 23
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"Truth telling operates through the power of parrhesia which is defined as bold honest and free speech … it is empowering rather than crushing or alienating …"
Dr Elissa Roper at the Catholic Mission Conference
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"We need to ensure we have space for listening, and listening humbly, and both of those are guided by the Holy Spirit. We’re called to speak, and we’re called to hear – and hear everything that is being said in and through the various voices."
Bishop Shane Mackinlay at the Catholic Mission Conference
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Sandhurst WYD Pilgrims start their journey
30 April: Sandhurst’s World Youth Day Pilgrims gathered for the first time to meet each other and commence the formal preparation for their journey to Lisbon, Portugal in July this year.
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Young People ages 15-35 are invited to gather together to celebrate Pentecost! There will be music from Melbourne musician Gen Bryant and her band, talks and other activities, and a BBQ. We will also celebrate the Pentecost Vigil Mass as part of the evening. Further information, including how to register, will be available on Instagram and Facebook on the Sandhurst Youth Ministry pages so make sure you follow us to find out more.
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KNIGHTS ENJOY 60 YEARS OF BARNEY'S PICNIC – RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE
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By Paul Sammut and Andrew Vaccaro
For about 60 years, on the first Sunday after Easter, the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria has held one of its most enduring and unique events, which we all know as ‘Barney’s Picnic’. Founded originally as a post-Lenten feast for Members to unwind after a long penitential season, it is a tradition that has continued to the modern day, and in 2023 it took on a modified form.
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ECHUCA PARISH CELEBRATES FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
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By Julie Moyle, Parishioner, St Mary’s Echuca
On Sunday 30 April, Bishop Shane Mackinlay celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel with parish priest, Fr Novelito Lim and a large congregation of parishioners of St Mary’s Parish Echuca.
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF CESL TO RETIRE AT END OF THIS YEAR
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After nine years of outstanding leadership and loyal and dedicated service to the Diocese of Sandhurst, Mr Paul Desmond, CEO of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd will retire.
From the end of 2023 Paul intends to focus his time and energy on other pursuits in service to the Church, which will allow him greater flexibility and more time with family.
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MASS BY THE WATER A CELEBRATION OF CREATION
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By Kerry Stone
Staff and all 35 students of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School in Elmore were hearing the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, as they celebrated Mass on the bank of the Campaspe River in early April.
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NEW BUILDING FACILITATES BUILDING UP OF STUDENTS
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The Senior Learning Centre at St Francis of the Fields Primary School in Strathfieldsaye was officially blessed by Bishop Shane Mackinlay on Friday 28 April.
Addressing students, Bishop Shane emphasised that the most important thing built up in a school is not the buildings, but the students themselves, each one of them a gift from God.
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GRADUATE TEACHERS FOCUS ON PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING OUTCOMES
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By Jenni Kennedy
Graduate Teachers learned collaboratively from expert presenters Glen Pearsall, Lucy Buncle and CES education officers at the CES Graduate Residential Conference in Moama last week.
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By Jenni Kennedy
On Friday May 5, the Catholic Education Sandhurst community celebrated the outstanding contribution of seven committed staff who have given 25 years plus service to Catholic Education.
The Jubilarians gathered with family and friends at Sacred Heart Church Wodonga, including Fiona Barrett, Gina Nero, Helen Rafferty, Maria Rinaldi, Louise Symons and Joanne Sellwood. Loretta Casey, who was in absentia, was also acknowledged at the Mass for her 25 year’s service.
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MEDIA TRAINING FOR DEPUTY PRINCIPALS
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By Jenni Kennedy
Deputy Principals from Sandhurst schools took part in a full day of media training on Wednesday 10 May with journalist Sam Elam, director of Media Manoeuvres.
Training provides insight into the media industry focusing on both proactive and reactive media engagement and how to prepare for a crisis situation.
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FROM THE AUSTRALIAN BISHOPS
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STATEMENT ON INDIGENOUS VOICE TO PARLIAMENT
As a vote on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament nears, Australia’s bishops are encouraging Catholics to read and discuss the Uluru Statement from the Heart – the document from which the Voice proposal emerged.
During their plenary meeting in Sydney this week, the bishops considered how they might assist Catholics in preparing for the referendum to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, with a vote due in the second half of 2023.
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STATEMENT ON CATHOLIC CHURCH INSURANCE LTD
In response, to a public announcement by Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) on 5 May, the Australian Catholic Bishops and Catholic Religious Australia have issued a statement to underscore the Church's enduring commitment to engage with victims and survivors of abuse with justice and compassion.
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MARONITE EPARCHY WELCOMES BISHOPS DURING JUBILEE YEAR
More than 30 bishops concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral on Sunday 7 May, taking part in ongoing celebrations for the 50th jubilee of the Maronite Eparchy in Australia. Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay was the principal celebrant for the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated according to the Maronite Rite. He said the Maronite community was “privileged” to welcome the bishops, who are in Sydney for the biannual plenary meeting, during the jubilee year.
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CARITAS URGES CONTINUED FOCUS ON WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE
Caritas Australia commends the ongoing commitment of the Australian Government to our region in the latest Federal Budget.
“There is no doubt that we have seen an increase in the aid budget since the Albanese Government came to office,” said Caritas Australia’s Advancement Director, Richard Landels.
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SERRA FOUNDATION LOOKS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT VOCATIONS
The Serra Foundation has supported priestly and religious vocations for more than forty years. The foundation is inviting Catholics to offer prayers and financial support to women and men making life long commitments to the Church.
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VIRTUS GLOBAL GAMES
Shepparton's Damon Vasterink is one of many Australian athletes who will compete at the sixth edition of the Virtus Global Games, the world's largest elite sport event for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Thousands of athletes from Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania will compete across ten main sports in Vichy France, from 4-10 June.
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Join Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) and Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) at a series of webinars to discuss the upcoming referendum on Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Voice to Parliament.
Learn from legal, historical and theological experts, and hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders about their experiences, hopes and concerns for the Voice referendum in 2023.
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- Tuesday 30 May- Pathways Victoria AGM
- Wednesday 31 May - Ordination of Bishop-elect John Panamthottathil as Syro-Malabar Eparch, Campbellfield
- Thursday 1 June - Catholic Education Sandhurst Reconciliation Mass, Nathalia, 11am
- Sunday 4 June - Sunday Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 11am
- Tuesday 6 June - Backhaus Trustees Meeting, Bendigo
- Thursday 8 June - Corpus Christi College Trustees Meeting, Melbourne
- Thursday 8 June – Victorian Bishops Meeting, Melbourne
- Thursday 8 June - Catholic Theological College Senate & Annual Mass, Melbourne
- Sunday 11 June - Sunday Mass, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 11am
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Diocese of Sandhurst recognises the traditional owners of the lands upon which we live, serve and worship. We acknowledge the people of the Northeastern regions of our Diocese, Djilmathang, Minjajambuta, Duduroa and Waywurru. We acknowledge the people of the Southern regions of our Diocese, the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungerung. We acknowledge the people of the Northern regions of our Diocese, the Yorta Yorta and Bangerang. We acknowledge the people of the Western regions of our Diocese, the Baraparapa peoples.
We respectfully honour and acknowledge their ongoing custodianship and their connections to the land, waters and animals. We pay our respects to their culture, their Elders, past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of their peoples.
We express our gratitude in the sharing of this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and commit ourselves to actively working alongside First Nations people for healing, reconciliation and justice.
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