St Mary's Church Bairnsdale

11/09/2026

The Catholic Diocese of Sale invites anyone considering a vocation to priesthood or ministry to an afternoon of discernment and conversation.

This gathering provides an opportunity to meet others who are also discerning, share fellowship, and hear personal stories from priests about their lives and their calls to ministry.

Date: Sunday, 27 September 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: St Thomas the Apostle Church, Clyde North

02/09/2026

Diocesan Women’s Event: Navigating the Unseen – Women Leading with Resilience

The Catholic Diocese of Sale invites all women to an evening dinner and talk celebrating the strength, resilience, and expanding horizons of women in the life and mission of the Catholic Church. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Kim Daniels, Director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and advisor to the Vatican Dicastery for Communication.

Date: October 14th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, Pakenham
Cost: $30 per person (includes dinner and soft drinks)
Bookings: Tickets are essential. Please register by October 4th via trybooking.com/DOZKU

31/08/2026

Clergy appointments effective 6th October 2026

31/08/2026

Join us for the Jubilee Pilgrimage of St Francis of Assisi!
Come journey with us on Fri Oct 2nd and Sat Oct 3rd, 2026, as we celebrate the Jubilee of St Francis of Assisi. Our diocesan pilgrimage travels from St Mary’s Bairnsdale to St Francis of Assisi Church in Benambra, concluding at Immaculate Conception in Omeo.
• Travel: Pilgrims are responsible for organising their own transport. If you need assistance with carpooling or group travel, please contact your parish priest.
• To assist the Benambra community with catering for the sausage sizzle, please register your group online. Please also bring a plate to share.
Register your group, view directions, and find full itinerary details here:
https://www.cdsale.org.au/year-of-saint-francis-of-assisi

29/08/2026

28/08/2026

Message from Bishop Greg Bennet for Social Justice Sunday

Dear Friends in Christ,

On 30 August 2026, the Catholic Church observes Social Justice Sunday. In a tradition dating back to 1940, this day is marked by prayer, reflection, and action in response to the social issues affecting communities across Australia.

This year, we are invited to reflect on how we can become agents of reconciliation, understanding, and peace amid the divisions of our contemporary world. Our reflection is guided by the 2026 Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division, released by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

We are all aware of the tensions that exist between peoples throughout the world and within our own nation. As Christians, we are called to witness to a different way of living: a way of peace, compassion, and hope. Our model is Jesus Christ, whose presence continues to encourage and strengthen the hearts of the faithful.

The Gospel this weekend reminds us that the Christian life is informed by the Cross. There are times when our collective cross is heavy to bear. Together, however, we can shoulder the cross of social division, confident that through prayer, respectful dialogue, and a genuine commitment to understanding one another, a new way of being can emerge for our society.

The statement Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division is both timely and challenging. I warmly commend it to you and encourage you to take the opportunity to read, reflect upon, and discuss its message within your families, communities, and parishes.

Bishop Greg Bennet

20/08/2026

✨ A DAY WITH THE SPIRIT ✨
🕊️ Catholic Charismatic Renewal – Sale Diocese
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” — 1 Peter 4:10
🙏 Mass • Praise & Worship • Teaching 🙏

Join us for a special day filled with prayer, worship, fellowship and the joy of the Holy Spirit!
🎤 With:
Fr. Joseph Abutu
Fr. Mark Hughes
Fr. Francis Otobo

📅 Saturday, 12 September 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 3:30pm
📍 St Mary’s Church, Bairnsdale
🕊️ PROGRAM
9:30am — Rosary
10:00am — Holy Mass
📍 St Mary’s Parish Hall
11:00am — Praise, Worship & Teaching
🥪 Please bring a plate of finger food to share.
🌹 Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
📞 Contact: Leo & Maureen
St Mary’s Church, Bairnsdale
5152 2942
✨ Come and experience a day of faith, fellowship and the power of the Holy Spirit! 🕊️

14/08/2026

Prayer to Mary, Assumed into Heaven
O Immaculate Mary, Assumed into heaven,
you who are most blessed in the vision of God:
of God the Father who exalted you among all creatures,
of God the Son who willed that you bear Him as your Son and that you should be His Mother,
of God the Holy Spirit who accomplished the human conception of the Savior in you.
O Mary, most pure
O Mary, most sweet and beautiful
O Mary, strong and thoughtful woman
O Mary, poor and sorrowful
O Mary, virgin and mother
woman very human like Eve, more than Eve.
You are near to God by your grace and by your privileges
in your mysteries
in your mission, in your glory.
O Mary, assumed into the glory of Christ
in the complete and transfigured perfection of our human nature.
O Mary, gate of heaven
mirror of divine light
ark of the Covenant between God and mankind,
let our souls fly after you
let them fly long your radiant path,
transported by a hope that the world does not contain eternal beatitude.
Comfort us from heaven, O merciful Mother,
and guide us along your ways of purity and hope
till the day of that blessed meeting with you
and with your divine Son
our Savior, Jesus. Amen!
(Saint Paul VI)

Source: Vatican News

14/08/2026

On Wednesday, the Diocesan Shine a Light team gathered at St Patrick’s Pakenham for a productive day of planning.
They are preparing for a special focus on raising awareness about domestic violence throughout the month of October.
What is Shine a Light? Developed in partnership with Catholic Social Services Victoria, Shine a Light is a Sale Diocese program designed to equip our parish communities with the knowledge, tools, and deeper understanding needed to recognize and appropriately respond to family and domestic violence.
Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved this October. Let’s keep working together to ensure our communities are safe, supportive, and informed.

05/08/2026

You’re invited … 🕊️🙏🦋✨