eBulletin 15th February 2026 - mailchi.mp/8c7a86e82213/ebulletin-15th-february-2026
eBulletin 8th February 2026 - mailchi.mp/82b6a716350f/ebulletin-8th-february-2026
On this Australia Day, we give thanks to God for our nation. May we continue to walk together in faith, respect and love, caring for one another and for this land we call home.
eBulletin 18th January 2026 - mailchi.mp/3c84c3ea30df/ebulletin-18th-january-2026
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bellerive-Lindisfarne Parish Priest, Fr Mark William Freeman (66), as the Bishop of Ballarat, in Western Victoria. He will succeed Bishop Paul Bird CSsR who has shepherded the diocese since 2012.![]()
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Fr Mark received news of his appointment via a FaceTime call from the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo. It was agreed the announcement would be made on the anniversary of his parents’ wedding, in gratitude for the life and faith they nurtured in him. ![]()
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“It is where it all began, really,” Fr Mark said.![]()
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He was ordained to the priesthood on 24 August 1984 at St Finn Barr’s Church Invermay, by Archbishop Sir Guilford Young, following his seminary formation at Corpus Christi College in Clayton, Victoria. ![]()
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Congratulating Bishop-elect Freeman, Archbishop Tony Ireland of Hobart, said that the Archdiocese of Hobart is offering a significant gift to the Diocese of Ballarat:![]()
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“Fr Mark is one of Tasmania’s finest. He has served in every part of the Archdiocese and in its most senior leadership roles, providing wise counsel to three Archbishops, and carrying a living memory of the diocese. He will be a wonderful bishop for Ballarat. I wish him every blessing and success in his new ministry.”![]()
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Fr Mark said his greatest joy in priesthood has been listening to and sharing in the stories of faith and life of the People of God:![]()
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“I am very much looking forward to journeying together with the communities of faith that make up the Diocese of Ballarat,” he said.![]()
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Widely regarded as ‘a priest’s priest’, Fr Mark has served extensively in Clergy Life and Ministry and has led clergy retreats nationally. ![]()
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“I am ready and willing to continue learning as I begin this new work in communion with the priests and people of Ballarat,” he said.![]()
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Fr Mark Freeman will be ordained to the episcopacy and installed as the ninth Bishop of Ballarat in mid-March 2026. Further details will be announced shortly.![]()
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Copied: @Archdiocese of Hobart
Meet the new administrative team of St. Mary MacKillop Parish, Hamilton…![]()
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We pray for God’s blessings on their service and guidance as they lead our parish community with faith, dedication and love. Please keep them in your prayers…
A warm welcome to our new parish priest, Rev. Fr. John Corrigan.![]()
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From today, Fr. John officially assumes his role as parish priest of St. Mary MacKillop Parish, Hamilton. We are grateful for his generous “YES” to serve our parish community and we look forward to journeying together in faith under his pastoral leadership.![]()
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We wish Fr. John every blessing, joy and success in his ministry among us. Friends, kindly keep him in your prayers as he begins this new chapter of ministry in the Lord’s vineyard….. Welcome to St. Mary MacKillop Parish, dear Fr. John!!!
This Week at St Mary's Church Hamilton.![]()
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Tues: No Service![]()
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Wed: 5pm Mass - Fr Cay (New Year Eve) 7pm to 10:15pm - New Year Prayer Vigil.![]()
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Thu: 5pm Mass - Fr John Corrigan (New Year Day![]()
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Fri: 10am Mass - Fr John Corrigan![]()
Peace!
With hearts full of gratitude, we thank Fr. Paddy for his faithful and generous service as Parish Priest of St Mary MacKillop Parish – Western Border.... 23 years of dedicated pastoral ministry in our parish and 51 years of priesthood is truly a remarkable witness of faith, love and selfless service. ![]()
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As you retire from parish leadership and continue your priestly life in other ministries within the Lord’s vineyard, we thank God for all you have shared with us and for the countless lives you have touched. May the Lord bless you with good health, peace and joy always.![]()
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You remain in our prayers and hearts, dear father!
Grateful hearts as we give thanks for Fr. Paddy’s farewell Masses on 20th & 21st December at St Mary’s Church, Hamilton. Thank you, Fr. Paddy, for 23 years of faithful service to St. Mary MacKillop Parish....your kindness, dedication and gentle approach touched so many lives.![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
We are deeply grateful for his prayerful presence, generous service and dedication to our parish community throughout this year. We thank God for the many ways he has shared his gifts among us and for the relationships formed along the journey.![]()
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As Channa now continues his priestly formation at Corpus Christi College Seminary in Melbourne, we offer him our prayerful best wishes and every blessing for the next stage of his priestly vocation. May God continue to guide and strengthen him always.
Seminarian Channa Thilakarathna reflects on his formative year of pastoral placement at Hamilton Parish, a journey shaped by faith, service and community….
All are warmly invited to join us in giving thanks and celebrating Fr. Paddy’s years of faithful service at his Farewell Masses....
The recent tragic event in Bondi has deeply affected us all. While our grief does not compare to the suffering and trauma of the victims, their families and community, witnesses, first responders, and healthcare workers, we share in the need to pause and reflect as a community.![]()
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To show that our community stands together in love, inclusiveness, and unity, a small, informal remembrance gathering has been organised![]()
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We believe that love is stronger than hate, and inclusiveness is stronger than division. The actions of a few hate-filled individuals do not reflect the true values of our community.![]()
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Join us this Friday evening as we come together to reflect and reaffirm these values.![]()
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📅 When: This Friday, December 19th at 8:40 PM![]()
📍 Where: The Rotunda at Hamilton Botanical Gardens![]()
🌅 Why 8:40 PM? This time is just before sunset and the beginning of Shabbat, serving as a time for collective pause and peace.![]()
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We will be bringing LED candles and flowers from our garden. If you plan to attend, please feel free to bring a small flower or an LED candle of your own.![]()
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Everyone is welcome. Let’s stand together to show that compassion and community spirit will always prevail.![]()
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Bernie Henneken and Lisa McDonal
Join with Selina, the daughter of our parishioners Sumi and Dinesh, as she shares her favourite Christmas songs in a lively street performance filled with jingles, joy and Christmas cheer!![]()
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Date: 21st December![]()
Time: From 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm![]()
Location: PAC Forecourt – Hamilton![]()
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Everyone is warmly invited to come along, enjoy the music and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas together as a parish community.![]()
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Bring your family and friends… let’s make this a beautiful Christmas moment to remember!
A joyful moment shared at the presbytery today. From left to right: Fr. Paddy (Parish Priest), Fr. Cay (Assistant Parish Priest) and Channa (Trainee Priest)… We are grateful for the dedication of our clergy team and for the presence of our seminarian journeying with us in ministry. May God continue to bless their service and formation.![]()
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Western Border Catholic Parish
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. Today we honour our Blessed Mother Mary, full of grace and chosen by God to bring His light into the world. May her purity, faith and loving obedience inspire us to walk closer with Christ each day.... Holy Mary, pray for u
Highlights from the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne... Three days of inspiration, fellowship and powerful encounters with Christ. What a blessing for our parish young adults to be part of this journey.![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
Here are a few wonderful moments from our parish young adults who took part in the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne from 30 November to 2 December. It was an inspiring time filled with prayer, Holy Mass, adoration, talks, music, fellowship and powerful encounters with Christ together with more than seven thousand young people from across the country. We are truly proud of their joy, commitment and the way they represented our parish community... ![]()
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And exciting news..... The next ACYF will be held in 2028 in Sydney, with Pope Leo expected to personally attend.![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
A beautiful gathering and farewell Holy Mass from the Dunkeld and Glenthompson Catholic community on the 28th of November at the Dunkeld St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped organise this special evening in gratitude for Fr. Paddy and his 23 years of faithful service as the Parish Priest of Hamilton.![]()
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Fr. Paddy will retire on the 25th of December....May God bless him abundantly for his dedication, humility and shepherd’s heart![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
On the Feast of Christ the Universal King, our parish family came together on the 22nd and 23rd of November to share a rich multi-cultural meal filled with generosity, flavour and friendship. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who brought a dish and helped make this celebration a true reflection of the unity and diversity within our parish…. Blessings to you all.![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
Friends, today we give thanks to God for the gift of Rev. Fr. Cay Trinh as he celebrates his first year anniversary of priestly ordination. We are deeply grateful for his joyful presence and the dedicated service he offers to our parish community.![]()
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Please join us in praying for Fr. Cay, that the Lord may continue to strengthen him, guide him and bless his ministry abundantly with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.![]()
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Ad Multos Annos, Fr. Cay!![]()
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Western Border Catholic Parish
Urgent prayer appeal from the Catholic Diocese of Kotagora, Nigeria. Let us unite with them in our prayers....
As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the Universal King, we come together in faith, friendship and the beautiful diversity of our parish community.![]()
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Saturday, 22nd November – Dinner (after 6.00 pm Vigil Mass)![]()
Sunday, 23rd November – Lunch (after 10.30 am Holy Mass)![]()
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Wear your traditional or cultural attire and bring a dish to share as we celebrate the richness of our cultures and the unity we share in Christ.![]()
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All are welcome...come and be part of this joyful gathering...![]()
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Western Border Catholic Parish
Friends, Fr. Paddy extends his sincere gratitude to everyone for the kind birthday wishes....
Friends, today we celebrate the birthday of our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Paddy Mugavin…We thank God for the gift of his life, his faithful ministry and his many years of devoted service to our parish community. As he celebrates his birthday and prepares to retire later this year, we hold him in our prayers with deep gratitude and affection.![]()
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Thank you, dear Fr. Paddy, for your faith, compassion and wise leadership. You will always remain a cherished part of the St. Mary MacKillop Parish family…![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
Advent 2025 Daily Reflections...![]()
Pause, pray and prepare your heart this Advent.![]()
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Booklets available for $5 from the Piety Stall or Parish Office.![]()
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Western Border Catholic Parish
Friends, join us as we celebrate our faith, unity and cultural diversity on the Feast of Christ the Universal King! ![]()
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Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November![]()
St. Mary MacKillop Parish![]()
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Come dressed in your traditional attire and join us for Mass and a shared meal as one family in Christ. ![]()
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Let’s celebrate our faith together through worship, food and fellowship...![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025 | Together in Faith, Hope and Joy – Melbourne Awaits!![]()
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Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025 | Together in Faith, Hope and Joy – Melbourne Awaits!
youtu.be
Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Bishops more than ten years ago.Run ...
We are delighted to announce that Rt. Rev. Most Paul Bird CSsR, Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat, has appointed Rev. Fr. John Corrigan as the new Parish Priest of St Mary MacKillop Parish - Western Border.![]()
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Fr. John will officially begin his ministry with us on 1 January 2026.![]()
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On behalf of our Parish and School communities, we extend a warm St Mary MacKillop Parish (Hamilton) welcome to Fr. John as he joins us on our shared journey of faith and service as one parish family.![]()
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Media unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
All Souls’ Day – A Time of Prayer and Remembrance ![]()
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Our parish community gathered in faith and love to remember and pray for all the faithful departed, on the 1st of November at Hamilton Cemetery and on the 2nd of November at Dunkeld Cemetery.![]()
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May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.![]()
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Media Unit: Western Border Catholic Parish
