Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 1 2024 Year in Review Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst
2 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 1 The Diocese of Sandhurst recognises the traditional custodians 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 the 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. Acknowledgement of Country
2 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au chancery@sandhurst.catholic.org.au 172-174 McCrae Street Bendigo VIC 3550 PO Box 201 Bendigo VIC 3552 T: 03 5445 3600 Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au director@ceosand.catholic.edu.au Bendigo Office 120 Hargreaves Street Bendigo Victoria 3550 PO Box 477 Bendigo VIC 3552 T: 03 5443 2377 Tatura Office 74 Hogan Street Tatura VIC 3616 T: 03 5831 3811 Wangaratta Office 71 Ryley Street Wangaratta Victoria 3677 PO Box 1181 Wangaratta VIC 3677 T: 03 5723 0000 Diocesan Development Fund www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au/ddfsandhurst ddf@sandhurst.catholic.org.au 172-174 McCrae Street Bendigo VIC 3550 PO Box 201 Bendigo VIC 3552 T: 03 5445 3606 CatholicCare Victoria www.catholiccarevic.org.au Bendigo Office 176 McCrae Street Bendigo Victoria 3550 PO Box 255 Bendigo VIC 3552 T: 03 5438 1300 Shepparton Office Family Relationship Centre 68 Wyndham Street Shepparton VIC 3630 T: 03 5820 0444
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 3 Nagambie Parishioners April 1899 On The Cover Marguerita Goggin, St Joseph’s Quarry Hill parishioner and Fr Henry Onyirioha at the Mass of the Holy Oils and 150th celebration of the establishment of the Sandhurst Diocese. Contents Year in Review Community & Mission Sandhurst 150 Anniversary Processionl Cross CARITAS Project Compassion 2024 Jubilarian Parish Admin Conference Bishop’s Portrait L’Arche 10th Anniversary CEO 50th Anniversary Catholic Earthcare 50th Marian Festival Synod on Synodality MacKillop Art Awards Knights of Southern Cross Serrans Visit In Memoriam Financial Performance 28 36 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 48 51 52 53 54 56 8 10 12 16 18 20 22 24 25 26 Reports From: Most Rev. Shane Mackinlay Mick Chalkley, SMP Council Chair Dr Chris Cotter, Mission and Pastoral Life Cameron Fraser, CDOS Business Manager Kate Fogarty, CES Ltd Julie Cobbledick, SCECE&C Ltd Rev. Jake Mudge Clergy Life and Ministry, Corpus Christi College Rev. Nathan Verallo, Vocations Michaela Brooks, Sandhurst Youth Ministry Agnes Sheehan, CatholicCare Victoria 4 7 Our Organisation Our Diocese Ministries of the Church
4 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Bendigo Insert Shepparton Insert
Diocese of Sandhurst The Diocese of Sandhurst was established in 1874. It represents the Catholic Church in a region in Victoria bounded on the north and east by the Murray River, extending from Kerang to Corryong and as far inland as Euroa and Bright, covering 45,196 square kilometres. A diocese is simply a community of Christ's faithful – it represents a portion of the people of God in a particular area, which is entrusted to a bishop. In the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst, Bishop Shane Mackinlay is the pastoral leader of more than 84,000 Catholics. He is assisted by priests who minister in 38 parishes within the Diocese. The parishes are grouped into three Deaneries, the Western, Goulburn Valley and North Eastern. Our Diocese’s vision is ‘that every person’s heart be inflamed by the love of God’. We welcome all who would like to join our communities or be guided by the principles and teachings of Christ. 409,994 Total Population 84,607 Catholics in region 48 Clergy 9 Religious Congregations 34 Religious 38 Parishes 56 Catholic Schools 19,751 Students in Catholic Schools 1 Catholic Hospital 6 Catholic Aged Care Facilities Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 5
6 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Ministries of the Church
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 7 • Bishop’s Office • Caritas Australia • Catholic Charismatic Renewal • Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd • Catholic Mission • CatholicCare Victoria • Clergy Life and Ministry • Communications • Council of Priests • Diocesan Archives • Diocesan Consultors • Diocesan Development Fund • Diocesan Finance Council • Diocesan Social Justice Committee • Diocesan Vocations Ministry • Mission and Pastoral Life • Priests Retirement Foundation • RCIA Forum • Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation for the Diocese of Sandhurst • Safeguarding • Sandhurst Clergy Health and Wellbeing • Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council • Sandhurst Publications • Sandhurst Youth Ministry Our Organisation
8 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 From Bishop Shane Mackinlay “2024 has been a milestone year in the life of our Diocese: 150 years ago, on 3 March 1874, the Diocese of Sandhurst was established. ” In 1874, the Diocese of Melbourne, which had been established in 1848, was elevated to an Archdiocese, with Ballarat and Sandhurst established as its suffragan dioceses. These changes occurred largely because of the huge population growth in Victoria’s interior, following the goldrushes of the 1850s. The transformation over the 150 years since Bishop Martin Crane became the first Bishop of Sandhurst is extraordinary. What began as five missions – Bendigo, Beechworth, Wangaratta, Heathcote and Echuca – ministered to by seven priests, has now grown to thirty eight parishes served by around thirty-five priests in full-time ministry, with fifty-six Catholic schools, three early learning centres, and a range of Catholic health, aged care and other services. We are blessed by the ministry of our priests, both those appointed to parishes and those who continue their service after retiring from full-time parish ministry. A significant number of these priests have come to us from overseas. Having visited the families of our priests from India last year, this year I visited the Philippines for the first time and met the families and religious communities of our Filipino clergy: Monsignor Cris Manongas and Fathers Junjun Amaya, Dean Bongat, Ruel Desamparado, Novelito Lim, Junray Rayna, Rene Ramirez, Jinjo Solis, DJ Suguitan and Nathan Verallo. Experiencing the warm and generous hospitality of their families and communities renewed my sense of gratitude to these priests and to their families, who so generously support their sons and brothers ministering far away in Australia. This year has seen a number of changes in our clergy. Our oldest priest, Monsignor Frank Hickey, died peacefully in May at the age of 97, after 73 years of faithful ministry as a priest – the longest serving priest in the history of the Diocese. We also welcomed four new priests to our Diocese. In March, Fr Henry Onyirioha joined us from Nigeria and was appointed Assistant Priest in the parish of Kennington, returning after an initial period of ministry in Yarrawonga in 2022. In August, we welcomed Fr Addin Doe RCJ as Assistant Priest of Mooroopna, who becomes the third member of the Rogationist community in the Diocese. Fr Arun Korlakanti SHS came to us from India and is working with the Wangaratta Ministry Team in the northeast. Finally, in October, we welcomed back Fr Boniface Kamulegeya from Uganda, following his earlier ministry in Rutherglen and Chiltern. In June, Fathers Junjun Amaya and Junray Rayna, having completed their seminary studies here and served in the Diocese since their ordinations, chose to make an ongoing commitment to ministry in Australia. They were originally ordained as priests of the Archdiocese of Cebu in the Philippines, and each felt called to make a permanent commitment to the Diocese of Sandhurst, due to their sense of fulfilment, contentment and connection to the people of this Diocese. I celebrated their formal welcome in moving
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 9 2024 Reports ceremonies in their parishes and was delighted to see the joy that was so obviously felt by all who were there. This year, the Diocese has welcomed two young men as seminarians: Jhunel Mendez from Cebu City in the Philippines and Ryerson de Lai from Mooroopna in Victoria. Both of them come to formation after long periods of prayer and discernment. I know that you join me in praying for their development, both academically and spiritually, as they learn more about the priesthood and open themselves to where God might be calling them. The Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council, made up of parishioners and priests from our three deaneries, met throughout 2024 and 2023 and have prayerfully formulated practical strategies and actions to address the four strategic directions identified at the Diocesan Assembly in 2023. I have now promulgated these ten strategic mission and pastoral goals to guide, encourage and inform our missionary and pastoral initiatives and activities at the Chancery, in parishes and schools, and other movements and entities throughout the Diocese for the next four years. In July of this year, I commenced a new program of pastoral visitation to parishes, beginning with Eaglehawk, Inglewood-Marong, Wangaratta, Wangaratta South and Moyhu. This renewed approach to visitation assists communities to engage in a reflection on all aspects of their parish life, with my visit giving an opportunity to discuss this and set future goals with the community. I was able to meet with parishioners in both formal and informal settings and hear their concerns, hopes and aspirations for our Church while attending and presiding at parish liturgies, or visiting schools and health services. I was moved by the dedication of the People of God in Sandhurst who are deeply committed to their parish communities and long to share this gospel experience with others. Some of our communities are facing difficult decisions about the continued use of small churches, and ways in which parishes can collaborate more effectively with one another. I look forward to visiting three more parish groupings in 2025 and plan to complete the visitation of all parishes in the Diocese over the next four years. A major focus of my year has been to discuss and explain the fruits of the first session of the Synod for a Synodal Church that I attended in October 2023. I met with a wide range of groups in seminars and meetings across several states and I was very encouraged by the interest and engagement shown by so many for this significant process in our Church. In October, I returned to Rome for the second and final session of the Synod. Being a member of the Synod was a great privilege, as we were asked to discern together on what God is asking of our Church today, to respond to the contemporary world in all its complexities. I was able to dialogue with others from around the world on what were often very challenging and difficult issues. At the Synod, I was elected as the Oceania representative on the Commission for the Final Document, which was responsible for overseeing the drafting of the Synod’s concluding document. This set out conclusions arising from the discussions that have taken place over the four years of the synodal process. It contains important proposals on decision making within the Church, the importance of greater welcome and participation, especially for and by women, the collaborative exercise of responsibility, processes for enhanced accountability, and a commitment to formation and mission. I believe the work of the Synod will bear much fruit as our Church moves forward, inspired by the Holy Spirit, with a greater ability to listen to each other and work together to build up the kingdom of God. In closing, I extend my gratitude to all who contribute to the life of our Diocese. It is thanks to your involvement that we have so much to give thanks for in 2024. As we look back on the first 150 years of our Diocese, I am confident that the commitment and faith of our communities will continue to be a strong foundation for the Diocese’s growth over the next 150 years. Most Rev. Shane Mackinlay DD Bishop of Sandhurst .
10 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Mick Chalkley From Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council In this Jubilee year for Sandhurst, the Mission and Pastoral Council (SMPC) gathered in Shepparton for meetings in February, April, July and November. Our work plan included: a focus on the strategic directions which had arisen from the preparation and consultation meetings and the Diocesan Assembly conducted in 2022-2023; ongoing listening and learning about the structures and financial situation of the Diocese; and providing advice regarding the development of programs, events and the exercise of various diocesan ministries including a proposed partnership for Sandhurst Youth Ministry. The Council decided at its February meeting to forgo the development of a detailed Strategic and Pastoral Plan, refocusing its energies on proposing a set of broader priorities and goals. This decision was significant as it reflected the fact that the Council is continuing to mature in its self-understanding of its purpose: a body that listens, discerns and acts on behalf of the whole Diocese in service of the Church on mission. By mid-year the members, with Bishop Shane, had agreed on ten Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, grouped under three strategic directions: Gospel mission and pastoral outreach, belonging and sense of community and, life-giving and empowering formation. The Goals were promulgated by Bishop Shane in a special edition of the Sandpiper e-News, on 22 November. The Goals provide direction for the activities of the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Life Office, parishes, schools and other diocesan entities and movements for the next four years. The Council’s task will be to monitor, review and evaluate progress towards the Goals. Ms Gabby Downie chaired the February, April and July meetings of the Council, which included expertly guiding us through the various processes that led to the development of the Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals. In June Gabby announced that she was stepping aside from the position of Chair and stepping down from the Council. I was appointed to the role by Bishop Shane on 20 July following a process of prayerful discernment by the members of the Council. I am grateful to Gabby for her strong and thoughtful leadership of the Council as its inaugural Chair. She has laid strong foundations for the Council to exercise co-responsibility for leadership of the Church on mission in our Diocese in a synodal key. The casual vacancy created by Gabby’s decision to step down from the Council was filled in October by Mrs Libby Dowling (Yarrawonga). Both Libby and Ms Kate Fogarty, Executive Director Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd were commissioned as members of the Council by Bishop Shane during the celebration of the Eucharist on Saturday 23 November in Shepparton. “Each member of the Council was encouraged and challenged by the vision and task of being and becoming a Church on the journey together: the people of God proclaiming and living communion, participation and mission.”
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 11 2024 Reports Mick Chalkley Chair Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council Most Rev. Shane Mackinlay, Bishop of Sandhurst Rev. Vijay Bandanadam ALCP/OSS, Northeast Deanery Rev. Joe Taylor VG Mrs Libby Dowling, Northeast Deanery Ms Kate Fogarty, Bishop’s Appointment Mr Stephen McKinley, Northeast Deanery Mr Jean-Marie Mupenda, Bishop’s Appointment Mr Michael McLinden, Northeast Deanery Rev. Stephen Bolling, Western Deanery Rev. Jackson Saunders, Goulburn Valley Deanery Mr Mick Chalkley, Western Deanery Mrs Angela Finn, Goulburn Valley Deanery Mrs Christine Sebire, Western Deanery Mrs Jobelle Collier, Goulburn Valley Deanery Mr Miggy Podosky, Western Deanery Mrs Alana Brennan, Goulburn Valley Deanery Officers: Dr Chris Cotter, Executive Officer Mrs Leslie Cooper, Minute Secretary and Administrative Support. “a body that listens, discerns and acts on behalf of the whole Diocese in service of the Church on mission.” The Council’s formation agenda for the year has been largely taken up with reflection on resources and documentation from the XVIth Ordinary Synod for a Synodal Church. At the February meeting Bishop Shane presented the Council with an ‘up close and personal’ insight into the first General Assembly held in Rome in October 2023. Bishop Shane shared his experience and broke open the Synthesis Report — A Synodal Church in Mission. Each member of the Council was encouraged and challenged by the vision and task of being and becoming a Church on the journey together: the people of God proclaiming and living communion, participation and mission. And, at the November meeting of the Council, having just returned from the second General Assembly (October 2024) Bishop Shane provided the members of the Council with insights into the Final Document of the Synod. Bishop Shane highlighted the significance of the fact that Pope Francis had decided not to promulgate a customary post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, asking all the faithful to accept the Final Document as the part of the ordinary teaching Magisterium of the Successor of Peter. This decision by the Holy Father was not only a break with tradition but also an endorsement of the listening, dialogue and discernment of the delegates and the consultative processes of the Synod over three years. Three key points of the Final Document stand out for me: that baptism is the sacrament of membership of the people of God; that each member of the baptised is called to ongoing conversion; and that all the baptised have the responsibility to get on with the work of renewal for communion, participation and mission at every level of the Church. On behalf of the Council, I ask for your continued prayerful support as we strive to be true to this calling. Let us pray with Pope Francis: “[Mary] Mother of the Church … teach us to be a people of disciples and missionaries walking together, to be a synodal Church” (XVIth Ordinary Synod for a Synodal Church, Final Document n.155). Finally, I take this opportunity to thank Bishop Shane for his leadership and all members of the Council for their valued and dedicated service in 2024. Thanks also goes to our dedicated officers, Leslie Cooper and Dr Chris Cotter for their tireless administrative and organisational support during and between meetings. Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council Members of the
12 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Dr Chris cotter From Director Mission and Pastoral Life On Palm Sunday, more than one hundred and seventy ordained and lay faithful of our Catholic community gathered in St Kilian’s Church Bendigo to begin the Jubilee to celebrate 150 years since the establishment of the local Church of Sandhurst. The present St Kilian’s church is on the site where Mass was celebrated in a tent by early Catholic settlers, as well as the site of the pro-Cathedral. Bishop Shane blessed a newly commissioned Processional Cross, in the style of the Paderborn cross, and we followed the Cross in a short pilgrimage procession from St Kilian’s to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. As Bishop Shane remarked in his Palm Sunday homily, the track between St Kilian’s and the Cathedral follows the path of the Bendigo Creek and has been walked by humans for tens of thousands of years. It was a simple and fitting way to open a year of celebrations, a reminder of our identity as the pilgrim people of God, of the steps we take in our lives, and the encounters we have with Christ on the road and in holy places. The Processional Cross now has its home in the Cathedral and has also been loaned to the twelve foundational churches of the Diocese for their celebrations of the Jubilee. At the Annual Mass of Holy Oils (Chrism Mass) on the following Tuesday, each parish was presented with a specially engraved cruet for the storage of Chrism oil to commemorate the Jubilee year. It has been my pleasure to provide support as Executive Officer to the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council and the Council of Priests over the year. This involves working with the Chair and Bishop Shane to develop the work plan, prepare the agenda, draft minutes and ensure continuity and follow-up between meetings. An achievement of the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council was the development of ten Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals, through a process of listening, dialogue and discernment. The Goals were promulgated by Bishop Shane on 22 November and will provide direction for the activities of the Office for Mission and Pastoral Life, as well as parishes, schools and other diocesan entities for the next four years. The 2020 ‘Go Forth’ Report recommended formalisation of the Bishop’s pastoral visitations to parishes. Commencing in November 2023 the Office of Mission and Pastoral Life, with the aid of a dedicated working party of priests, Chancery staff and parishioners, developed and piloted the Parish Visitation Program (PVP). The PVP is an opportunity for parishes to reflect on all dimensions of their life and activity with the assistance and guidance of Chancery staff, to undertake planning for the future and to set goals to guide their endeavours. The PVP is also intentionally designed as an opportunity for Bishop Shane to listen deeply to our pastors and communities of faith, to understand their strengths and challenges, and to discover “Every new step in the life of the Church is a return to the source. It is a renewed experience of the disciples’ encounter with the Risen One in the Upper Room on Easter evening.” XVIth Ordinary Synod for a Synodal Church, Final Document n.1
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 13 2024 Reports new ways of providing pastoral and missionary outreach. It is our hope that the PVP will encourage and support the ongoing renewal of our parish communities, and provide an experience of what it means to be a synodal Church in mission. Two parish groupings participated in PVP pilots between May and September: Eaglehawk and Inglewood-Marong parishes, and the Wangaratta, Wangaratta South and Moyhu parishes. The pilot visitations were positive experiences for these parishes and have assisted the working party in their efforts to refine and improve the PVP documentation and processes. I am especially grateful to Rev. Stephen Bolling PP (Eaglehawk and InglewoodMarong) and Rev. Nathan Verallo (Moderator for Wangaratta, Wangaratta South and Moyhu), and the pastoral council members, parishioners and staff of these faith communities who participated in the pilots. I also thank the members of the PVP Working Party: Mrs Leslie Cooper (Executive Assistant to the Director, Mission and Pastoral Life), Mr Tim Nolan (Executive Assistant to the Bishop), Rev. Adi Indra (Assistant Priest, Wodonga), Rev. Stephen Bolling, Mr David Walker (Parishioner, Numurkah) and Mr Simon White (Senior Accountant at the Chancery). Dates have been assigned in Bishop Shane’s calendar for visitations with all parishes in the Diocese over the next four years and will be finalised in consultation with each parish community. It has been my privilege to lead the Mission and Pastoral Life Team in 2024: Ms Katrina Strong (Communications Coordinator) and Mrs Leslie Cooper. In 2022 and 2023 Leslie worked in a part-time capacity as a Project Support Officer but, in the light of the needs of the team and our commitment to providing services to support and grow the various ministries in our parishes, the position held by Leslie was reviewed and reconfigured as a full-time Executive Assistant. Leslie continues to support diocesan projects as well as being a first point of contact for the Office of Mission and Pastoral Life. Katrina has exercised a key role in promoting the Sandhurst 150th Anniversary events and celebrations throughout the year, in addition to editing the Sandpiper e-News, producing videos and providing updates to our social media channels. Mary Pianta (Disability Contact Coordinator) has continued to offer information to parish communities about practical ways to foster understanding and inclusion. Two new Mission and Pastoral Life roles have been developed and approved by Bishop Shane: Assistant Director, Mission and Pastoral Life and Youth Ministry Team Leader. The Assistant Director will work closely with me, managing the day-to-day operations of the Mission and Pastoral Life Team, as well as developing and implementing plans to achieve the Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals relating to formation. The Youth Ministry Team Leader role emerges directly from a partnership p r o p o s a l developed by the Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group. The Team Leader will shape and lead a new Youth Ministry Team and assume responsibility for the effective implementation of the Sandhurst Youth Ministry partnership. The Sandhurst Youth Ministry partnership is an agreement to actively collaborate in and exercise co-responsibility for the provision and leadership of Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Sandhurst. The partnership will be between the diocesan Chancery, parishes, priests and Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd. In late December Bishop Shane appointed Mr Geoff Gowdie as Assistant Director, Mission and Pastoral Life and Mrs Claire Spinelli as Youth Ministry Team Leader. Both Geoff and Claire will commence at the Chancery in early 2025. Following a request from the Council of Priests, in 2023 and 2024 the Office for Mission and Pastoral Life convened three Liturgical Formation Seminars based on the Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter on Formation in the Liturgy Desiderio Desideravi. The first was hosted by the Wangaratta South Parish on Saturday 14 October 2023, the second in Shepparton on Wednesday 18 October 2023 and the third in Bendigo on 21 May 2024. Each seminar took the form of a keynote address on Desiderio Desideravi expertly delivered by Professor Clare Johnson (Director of the Centre for Liturgy at Australian Catholic University) followed by workshop choices of Reading the Word, Music for the Liturgy and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion. Our workshop presenters included Dr Paul Taylor (Director of Music, Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo) Ms Lyn Breen (Parishioner, Cathedral Cluster of Parishes), and myself. More than one hundred and forty lay
14 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 faithful and several priests attended the seminars, with the overwhelming majority of those who responded to surveys reporting that they found the keynote and workshops beneficial to the exercise of their ministry as readers, extraordinary ministers of holy communion and musicians. The Sandhurst Theology Scholarships have continued in 2024, providing access to financial support for parishioners and those engaged in ministry to study courses in postgraduate level academic theology, spiritual leadership and clinical pastoral education. On 6 September Bishop Shane led the celebration of Mass to launch the Season of Creation with our diocesan community at the Huntly Streamside Reserve, just to the north of Bendigo city. The Season of Creation is celebrated annually between 1 September and 4 October by Orthodox and Latin Rite Catholics, and the World Council of Churches. Students and staff from our Sandhurst schools joined parishioners and priests in a morning of prayer and action for our common home, planting over one hundred saplings as part of an effort to restore the native tree population in the Reserve. The launch event concluded with a sausage sizzle lunch and was organised by the diocesan Care for Creation Team, ably led by Kerry Stone, Sandhurst 1870
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 15 Dr Chris Cotter Director Mission and Pastoral Life Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Caritas-Justice Coordinator. Throughout the year the Care for Creation team has continued to develop and refine a Laudato Si’ Action Plan for the Diocese. Team members include parishioners Ms Lyn Breen (Cathedral Cluster) and Mrs Marie Bonne (St Kilian’s Bendigo). Thank you to all who have contributed to the mission and pastoral life of our Diocese this year. We have learnt a lot about the challenges of putting the synodal way into practice and what it means to exercise co-responsibility for the mission. We have much to look forward to in 2025 as we continue our journey as the pilgrim people of God in Sandhurst. 2024 Reports Pictured above: Geoff Gowdie Assistant Director of Mission and Pastoral Life and Claire Spinelli Youth Ministry Team Leader. Other pictures: 150th Celebration pilgrimage walk. Liturgical Ministry Seminar workshop. Parish Visitation Program. Annual meeting of the Diocesan Mission Directors of the Province of Victoria.
16 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Cameron Fraser From Diocesan Business Manager “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11: Planning for the future of the Diocese is an essential undertaking that warrants careful discernment of interwoven considerations, many unique to the diocesan context. The responsibility of stewarding temporal goods, and balancing the needs of Christ’s faithful now, and in the future, demands prudence and foresight. We must remain ever mindful of how we “cut our cloth”, acting within our means while upholding our sacred duty to support the mission entrusted to Christ’s faithful. In 2024 we successfully pursued approvals for the construction of a new building, “Cathedral Square”. This legacy project will be a worthy neighbour to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo and aims to meet several objectives, including: optimisation of our property assets; workplace efficiency; and reduction of our environmental footprint. The project is being funded by the rationalisation of existing assets and income to be generated by future tenants of the building. The project is due for completion in 2026 and there will be much to report when construction commences in 2025. DDF: The Diocesan Development Fund has enjoyed its strongest year on record with a surplus of $6.3m. In the 20232024 financial year, the DDF approved 14 loans supporting parish, school and agency works to the value of $15m. Future growth projections are strong, and this will support the continued renewal of diocesan property assets for many years to come. The Fund therefore continues to build on its solid foundation, playing a vital role in securing the longterm sustainability of the Diocese. The DDF embraces change and consistently offers new products and services to meet client needs and expectations while meeting, or exceeding, all compliance requirements. I am very grateful for the professionalism and expertise of the team committed to the service of our clergy, parishes, schools, and agencies connected with the DDF. The Chancery: Service to parishes continues to be an area of key focus. The Chancery assists with Human Resources, Payroll, Accounting, Project Management, Archives and Legal advice. These services are provided by people experienced in the church and charity concessions, to ensure we remain good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Please reach out and we will assist you wherever possible. A highlight of the past year was the Parish Administrators Conference, which provided relevant content and perhaps, most importantly, a forum for connection and sharing. CRIS: A recent initiative in the Diocese was the establishment of Catholic Risk and Insurance Services Ltd (CRIS) in 2024. This entity was created to assist the Australian Church and its agencies with insurance procurement and improving the management of risk. Why is Sandhurst involved in such a pursuit? Well, the Church
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 17 is not a monolith. It is made up of thousands of separate agencies of varying sizes, charisms and pursuits. This can be a great strength and a great weakness. When a circumstance requires scale to deliver the best outcome, such as with the procurement of insurance, the structure of the Church is a weakness. CRIS is setting about reaggregating the Church in a post Catholic Church Insurance Ltd landscape. CRIS is not an insurer; instead, it is a group purchasing body that seeks to achieve better pricing and terms of cover so we can better manage risk. Sandhurst, Ballarat and Sale Dioceses have been early adopters and tested the CRIS model, which has delivered savings approaching $3m in the 2024 renewal year, reduced deductibles and improved policy terms. Just as our governments struggle to support initiatives for the Common Good across borders – think of environmental and energy policies as examples – so does the Church. Let’s hope we can build on the early leadership that these regional dioceses are demonstrating to the Australian Church and that, in working together for the Common Good, everyone becomes a beneficiary. Safeguarding: The Diocese continues to foster a culture of safeguarding in Sandhurst and is diligent to ensure that the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS) and Victorian Child Safe Standards are met and exceeded. I am grateful for the tireless work of Parish Safeguarding Teams and Diocesan staff whose often thankless work ensures that parishes across the Diocese are safe and welcoming environments for all. The Diocese of Sandhurst acknowledges that preventing abuse requires proactive approaches across policies, procedures and practices within parishes, agencies, and entities, consistent with the requirements of the following: • National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (Australian Human Rights Commission) • National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (edition two) (Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd) • Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme (Commission of Children and Young People Victoria) Finally, in my view, there is nothing that compares to working in a for-purpose Diocese when compared to a for-profit company. Together, with the team of committed people I lead, I am proud of our achievements over the past year and the service we have provided. In delivering on our plans across the Diocese and beyond its borders, we are playing a part in the grand plan to give hope and a future. 2024 Reports Cameron Fraser Diocesan Business Manager Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Cathedral Square
18 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Kate Fogarty From Executive Director Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd As I reflect on my first year as Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, I am filled with gratitude and optimism. This past year has not only marked a return to the Diocese for me, but it has also reinforced my confidence in the incredible people who make up our schools, early learning centres and parishes. This year was particularly notable as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Education Sandhurst Office (photos page 44). This milestone coincided with the 150th anniversary of our Diocese, creating a unique opportunity to reflect on our shared history and achievements. Over the past five decades, the Catholic Education Office has played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape, and I am proud to stand on the shoulders of those who came before me. We took this opportunity to honour our previous Directors, whose leadership, vision and dedication have laid the groundwork for the vibrant educational community we enjoy today. Their contributions have been invaluable, and it is crucial that we recognise and celebrate their efforts. The history of our Diocese is rich and inspiring, steeped in a tradition of faith, service and commitment to education. Over the past 150 years, we have seen the establishment of numerous schools, parishes and community initiatives that have transformed lives and empowered generations. This deep-rooted history serves as a foundation for our ongoing mission and inspires us to continue building upon the legacy of those who have gone before us. A key highlight of this year has been the introduction of a new learning and teaching program, Magnify Sandhurst. This initiative is designed to improve learning outcomes for all students. It aims to raise the standard of results while empowering and resourcing our teachers. The implementation of this program is an ambitious undertaking, and I am excited about the possibilities it presents. Our teachers have been eager to embrace this new approach, and I have witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm and commitment they bring to their work. By investing in our educators, we are ultimately investing in our students, ensuring they receive the best possible education rooted in our Catholic values. In addition to these developments, I was pleased to announce the appointment of Deputy Director of Mission and Educational Development. This role has been designed to enhance our support for schools, allowing us to address their unique needs more effectively. The Deputy Director will work closely with school leaders, teachers and the wider community to ensure that our educational vision is realised at every level. This collaborative approach will “The future of Catholic education in our Diocese is bright, and we are dedicated to nurturing a community that values faith, knowledge and service. Our commitment to providing a high-quality education remains steadfast.”
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 19 strengthen our ability to support schools and help them navigate the challenges they face in an ever-evolving educational landscape. The future of Catholic education in our Diocese is bright, and we are dedicated to nurturing a community that values faith, knowledge and service. Our commitment to providing a high-quality education remains steadfast, and we are determined to ensure that our schools and Early Learning Centres are places where students can grow, learn and flourish. We firmly believe that every student deserves an excellent education. This means not only meeting their academic needs but also nurturing their spiritual and emotional wellbeing. As we move forward, we will continue to foster a culture of inclusivity, where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion will be at the forefront of our efforts as we strive to create a welcoming environment for all. Our mantra of ‘Every Student, Every Teacher, Every School, Every Day’ confirms our commitment to provide the best resources and educational programs to promote healthy and productive schools. Over the past year I have received extraordinary support from our school boards and from Bishop Shane who is deeply committed to Catholic Education. To the staff, students and broader school communities. I particularly want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to our journey this year. Your passion, dedication, and support make our educational community exceptional. As we move forward, let us continue to work together, grounded in our faith and committed to the mission of Catholic education. Together, we can achieve great things, and I am excited to see what the future holds for our schools, our Early Learning Centres, our students and our Diocese. 2024 Reports Kate Fogarty Executive Director Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd
20 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 JULIE COBBLEDICK From Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education & Care Ltd Introduction The vision of Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education and Care Ltd (SCECE&C) is to create high quality environments, where each child and family is accompanied on their journey of development, supported by the pastoral ministry of our Church as embodied in our Sandhurst communities. The authentically Catholic nature of diocesan early childhood education and care, where young children will experience being part of God’s family, combined with the awe–inspiring mystery and wonder of creation, will nurture and influence significantly an holistic approach for the development of each child. New ELCs Opening In 2024, the Board has had oversight for the opening of the MacKillop Early Learning Centre located at St Joseph’s Primary School, Nagambie. This is an exciting development and, despite some of the external challenges presented, we are confident of a vibrant and engaging service for our children and families as they experience Catholic Education in the early years. Extensive work in 2024 has led to the anticipated opening of Brigid’s Light, Echuca West and McAuley, Wodonga West Early Learning Services in January 2025. These centres will provide both education and care, as we offer services to children from 0 to 5 years. 2023/2024 Strategic Priority Goals The following has been achieved in support of the priority goals: • Approval and implementation of Shared Mission Framework • Staff formation in Catholic Identity • Approval and implementation of Quality Framework for early childhood education and care • CatholicCare Victoria Services being accessed by families within centres • Board formation in Child Safeguarding • Ongoing implementation of Risk Management Framework and Risk Appetite Statement • Formation and development for staff in Early Learning Centres. Capital Grants and Projects Projects supported with grants allocated by the Victorian School Building Authority in 2024 included Brigid’s Light Early Childhood Centre, Echuca ($4,909,000.00), St Mel’s Kindergarten Expansion ($372,133.00) and St Mel’s Internal Renovations ($98,000). “The Board has continued to lay strong foundations for strengthening and growing the provision of early childhood education and care within the Diocese of Sandhurst.”
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 21 The installation of a 2-modular Kindergarten facility is currently in progress at MacKillop Early Learning Centre in Nagambie. The modular is owned by the Victorian School Building Authority and rented to SCECE&C Ltd at a peppercorn rate. Regulatory Information The National Quality Framework (NQF) provides a national approach to regulation, assessment and quality improvement for early childhood education and care across Australia, including SCECE&C Ltd and the services under our governance. The Board has approved all prescribed policies and several non-prescribed but best-practice policies. To support the Board and the SCECE&C Unit with the large number of policies that need to be continually updated and/or reviewed, the Board has approved a new operating model to support SCECE&C with a clear set of Governance Policies that are aligned with the key areas of the Strategic Plan. This model ensures that policies requiring Board approval and oversight are identified, distinct from operational policies that can be attended to by the leadership and management of the organisation. At all times SCECE&C adheres to the regulatory requirements in relation to policy, procedures, guidelines and frameworks. At a governance level, the Board has approved and or reviewed the following key documents: • Risk Management Guidelines and Risk Register • Board Charter Review • Communication Plan Review • Shared Mission Framework and Commitment Statement Review Conclusion This year has been an important period for SCECE&C as the Board has continued to lay strong foundations for strengthening and growing the provision of early childhood education and care within the Diocese of Sandhurst. The ongoing rigour to policy development and approval is ensuring that our current services are compliant with the National Quality Framework and our new services are supported at a high standard to implement policy and procedures at time of opening. The work of the Board has been supported by our new Executive Director, Ms Kate Fogarty. Kate has been most generous with her time, expertise and support as the Company has built the solid foundations to ensure the ongoing and future provision of early childhood education within the Diocese of Sandhurst. The ongoing work of Ms Carla Jeffrey, Chief Early Childhood Officer is to be commended. Of note is her capacity to build sound working relationships with agencies and government bodies who are pivotal to the future growth and development of SCECE&C Ltd. Carla’s professional approach to communication with the Board has ensured that effective decisions are made in the best interests of the organisation. Her oversight of staff within the Unit and our current services continues to provide a high level of early childhood education and care for our children and their families. Julie Cobbledick Chair SCECE&C Ltd Board 2024 Reports
22 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2024 Rev. Jake Mudge “The term ‘ongoing formation’ is a reminder that the one experience of discipleship of those called to priesthood is never interrupted.” From Each year, Clergy Life and Ministry Sandhurst coordinates a February gathering and a September gathering for clergy in the Diocese. Every second year, a retreat is conducted in June for the entire presbyterate. Along with “initial formation” (that which occurs formally in the seminary) priestly training, in keeping with other professions, is considered lifelong or “ongoing”. Documents on priestly training remind us: “The term ‘ongoing formation’ is a reminder that the one experience of discipleship of those called to priesthood is never interrupted. The priest not only ‘learns to know Christ’ but, under the action of the Holy Spirit, he finds himself within a process of gradual and continuous configuration to Him, in his being and his acting, which constantly challenges the person to inner growth. One must constantly feed the ‘fire’ that gives light and warmth to the exercise of the ministry, remembering that, “the heart and form of the priest’s ongoing formation is pastoral charity’. Ongoing formation is intended to ensure a continuing journey of conversion, in order to rekindle the gift received at ordination. This journey is the natural continuation of the process of building up priestly identity begun in Seminary and accomplished sacramentally in priestly ordination, in view of a pastoral service that causes it to mature over time.” (USCCB Ongoing Formation, 72, foll. Ratio, 82.) In 2024, those priests born overseas and ministering in the Diocese gathered in Moama from the 19-22 February to share rest, conference time and ongoing formation. We were fortunate to have Robyn Abbott (St Therese’s Parish, Kennington) and Diane Teitzel (St Brendan’s Parish, Shepparton) to assist with the program, which included updates on pa rish administration and life. Peter Trendos and Cameron Fraser shared with the clergy including an update on the life of the Diocese and the many ways that the Chancery supports parishes. In September, staff from Catholic Education Sandhurst, led by Sam Dowling and Tanya Mullane, facilitated a workshop titled “Crucial Conversations” for the entire presbyterate. The program, established in America, assists participants in reflecting on strategies for difference levels of conversation required in professional, pastoral and personal interactions. In 2025, the clergy of the Diocese will be fortunate to have three opportunities to meet: in February 2025 some of the newly ordained members of the Diocese will gather; followed be whole-presbyterate retreats and conferences in June and September. In 2025, Clergy Life and Ministry will also work to incorporate the newly promulgated Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals for the Diocese. Director Diocesan Clergy Life and Ministry Rev. Jacob Mudge Director Diocesan Clergy Life and Ministry
Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 23 Following the completion of my six-year term on the seminary staff in January 2024, Bishop Shane invited me to continue in the role of providing a contact point between the seminary and our Diocese. The seminary, Corpus Christi College, is the “Regional Seminary” for the dioceses of Victoria and Tasmania and is governed by the bishops of these two states, who form a Board of Trustees. The seminary has traditionally also provided training for the priesthood for guest dioceses from South Australia, Northern Territory, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy and other dioceses. The seminary formation program comprises a seven-year course, which often includes extra time of study and discernment in addition to this basic program. At this time students for the priesthood live in community, have a daily rhythm of prayer and reflection, and engage in formal tertiary studies at the nearby Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity, in East Melbourne. Seminary formation traditionally focuses on the spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral education of those training for ministry and takes place in seminary, parish and other places of formation. “There are four dimensions that interact simultaneously in the iter of formation and in the life of ordained ministers: the human dimension, which represents the ‘necessary and dynamic foundation’ of all priestly life; the spiritual dimension, which helps to shape the quality of priestly ministry; the intellectual dimension, which provides the rational tools needed in order to understand the values that belong to being a pastor, to make them incarnate in daily life, and to transmit the content of the faith appropriately; the pastoral dimension, which makes possible a responsible and fruitful ecclesial service.” (Ratio Fundamentalis, 89.) In recent years, Pope Francis has emphasised the need for the training of priests to have not only a missionary focus, but also to involve the entire church community; not just those formally engaged in priestly formation. We are very fortunate in 2024 to have had two students for the priesthood enrolled in the college: Jhunel Mendez and Ryerson de Lai. We are also excited to be able to welcome Aaron Baulch and Mason Crosier into the first–year program in 2025. We wish our Sandhurst students, and all involved in formation for ministry, our best wishes and prayers for 2025. Rev. Jacob Mudge Coordinator of Seminarians Corpus Christi College Regional Seminary Victoria and Tasmania 2024 Reports Seminary Liaison Report
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ0MTI=