Applications are now open for the 44th Siloam Program which will commence in 2022. The program is Australia's longest running Spiritual Direction Formation Program and is now delivered in-person and online. Potential candidates are encouraged to join the Centre for a taster session on 14 August.

Chair of the Priests Retirement Foundation Diocese of Sandhurst, Monsignor Frank Marriott, and Secretary, Fr Andrew Fewings, are pleased to provide an up-date on the Foundation and retired Sandhurst Clergy and asks us to keep retired Sandhurst priests in our thoughts and prayers.

The longest running program on Australian commercial television, Mass for You at Home, celebrated 50 years on our screens when Mass was broadcast into people’s living rooms on August 1.

On 4 August, Opening The Doors Foundation will celebrate 20 years of supporting Aboriginal education.  After supporting over 3000 Aboriginal students in their educational journeys, the Foundation wants to share some of their stories of empowerment and success and will launch a short film online film featuring past and present students.

As the 5-day 'circuit breaker lockdown' announced on 15 July extends to 27 July, Victorian Catholics will again miss opportunities to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.  Fortunately, our Sandhurst clergy are now old hands at zooming and live-streaming Masses and there are many virtual options available to you.

"I am with you always" 25 July 2021

Catholic ministries are being encouraged to find creative ways to celebrate the inaugural World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The theme this year is  "I am with you always" (Mt 28: 30). 

Rev. Fr John Harold Ware PE passed away at Mercy Health Albury on 9 July 2021. He was 90 years old and in his 67th year of priesthood. The Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Fr John was held on 14 July 2021 at St Mary’s Church, Rutherglen. A heartfelt rendition from the voices of the clergy rang out to the tune of Salve Regina, taking their brother John home.
May he rest in peace.

Rev. Fr Adi Indra reflects on his recent Ordination.  

On Saturday 10 July 2021, I was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ in our Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Bendigo.After several postponements due to COVID-19 restrictions it finally happened.   Despite public health restrictions, the Ordination Mass was beautifully and prayerfully celebrated.

By Jenni Kennedy

It is a joyous occasion to witness the baptism of one child, but on the final day of Term 2, the St Peter’s School community welcomed eight children into the Church family.

The entire school community gathered at St Kilian’s along with the families and Godparents of the children who were to be baptised. Fr Junray presided at the Mass which also celebrated the feast day of St Peter, the patron saint of the school.

As Bangladesh goes into its most severe lockdown yet, Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Bangladesh, warns that the lockdown restrictions will have severe consequences on the Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar.

The country of 163 million has seen a deadly resurgence of COVID-19 prompted by the Delta variant, as their national COVID-19 testing rate shows a staggering 20 per cent of people testing positive and alarming spikes in the daily death tolls.