Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

25th October 2026 | Bulletin Notices

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As we reach the final week of our October journey with the Shine a Light initiative, our focus turns to the very heart of Christian living: fostering safety, kindness, and deep respect in every relationship. You can learn more at: www.cdsale.org.au/sal

This week’s theme, "Love Your Neighbour," comes from the heart of the Gospel, where Jesus teaches that love of God and love of neighbour are inseparable. Loving our neighbour as ourselves begins in the warmth of our own homes and parish community. When we choose patience, listen with empathy, and uphold the dignity of those around us, we put love into real practice and create spaces where everyone feels secure, valued, and cherished.

For resources visit: https://www.cdsale.org.au/salwr

DIOCESE OF SALE WORLD YOUTH DAY 2027 - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST!

Expressions of Interest for the upcoming Diocese of Sale pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea will officially open on Monday 26th October!

We are now calling for all interested young people aged 16 to 35 years old to submit their Expression of Interest to be either a pilgrim OR small group leader.

Head to the Diocese of Sale World Youth Day website for all up-to-date information and the link to the form: cdsale.org.au/world-youth-day-seoul

For questions, please email WYD Project Officer, Tishan Lokuge (tlokuge@doscel.catholic.edu.au)

Catholic Mission

Thank you for your generous support of the Church in Malawi and the communities it serves.
Because of your kindness, children like Yamikani* will have greater access to education, nourishment, and the opportunity to build a hopeful future.
And if you chose to become a Mission Partner with a monthly gift - thank you so much for your ongoing commitment.
To learn more about the work of Catholic Mission in Malawi and around the world, please visit catholicmission.org.au/our-work.
Thank you again for your compassion, and please keep this impactful work in your prayers.
*Name changed for privacy

Link to Bishop Greg's video message: Google Drive Link     Youtube link

The LAMP Youth Festival: Faith in Action

All youth and young adults aged 13 to 30 are warmly invited to the upcoming LAMP Youth Festival, themed "Faith in Action: Change Starts with You." Join us for a full day of games, dance, food, Adoration, Reconciliation, and Mass.

  • Date: Saturday, 21st November
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Lunch provided)
  • Location: St Michael's School Stadium, 125 High St, Berwick VIC 3806
  • Age Group: 13 – 30 years old
  • Donation Drive: Please bring two or more non-perishable food items. All collections directly support the John Mc Foundation Inc.

175 Years of Faith & Heritage in Yarram – You’re Invited!

Join the Catholic Parish of Yarram in celebrating 175 years of Catholic life across Gippsland. Bishop Greg Bennet will join Fr Darren Howie and diocesan clergy to celebrate a special Anniversary Mass at 11:00 am on Sunday, 15 November 2026 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Commercial Road, Yarram.

Following Mass, all are welcome in the St Mary MacKillop Hall for light refreshments, a brief local history talk, an exhibition of historical memorabilia, and school tours.

Come and Be Filled: CCR Day of Renewal with Bishop Greg

Are you spiritually exhausted, seeking deeper/inner peace, or longing for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit? Come and join us for a powerful day of prayer, praise, and transformation at this year’s Renewal Day with Bishop Greg.

Our theme is: "Come and Be Filled," inspired by Jesus’ Beatitude: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6).

Come empty and leave overflowing with God's grace, love, and spiritual gifts.

  • Date: Saturday, 14th November 2026
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
  • Venue: St Michael’s Church Traralgon

Featuring:

  • Uplifting praise and worship
  • Inspiring teachings and testimonies
  • Holy Mass and Adoration
  • Individual prayer ministry for in-filling, healing, and empowerment

Bring a friend, an open heart, and a hunger for more of God!

For more information, please contact Cathy (Traralgon Prayer Group Leader: 0432588195); Lindsay (Diocesan CCR Chair: 0432375391); or Anushka (Diocesan CCR Sec: 0436961111).

Pope's Prayer Intention for October 2026: For mental health ministry.

Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

OCTOBER: For mental health ministry

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God of life,
You know the innermost depths of our hearts—
the light and shadows within us,
the silent wounds that sometimes no one sees.
Today we bring before you our brothers and sisters
who struggle with challenges to their mental health,
who suffer in solitude with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness.
You call them by name, with tenderness,
and in You they find dignity and hope.
Forgive us for the times we have looked the other way,
feeding the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
May your Church be an open house,
a safe space where everyone has a place—
a community that accompanies and never excludes,
that listens without judging and draws near without fear.
We pray to you, Lord, for those who care:
professionals, family members, volunteers—
men and women who, with patience and love,
build bridges of understanding and comfort.
Give them strength and compassion to sustain others.
Send your Spirit upon us,
that we may learn to welcome and integrate care for mental health
into the life and ministry of our communities and of the whole Church,
and thus become a living sign of your mercy,
which never abandons and always restores.
Amen.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Benambra Honours St Francis of Assisi

More than 200 pilgrims from across Gippsland and beyond recently gathered in Benambra to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. Commencing with a vigil service at St Mary’s in Bairnsdale, the pilgrimage continued into the High Country to St Francis of Assisi Church—the only church in the Diocese of Sale dedicated to the saint. Celebrations included an animal blessing by Bishop Greg Bennet, the presentation of a first-class relic, and a special Pilgrimage Mass honouring St Francis’s call to peace, simplicity, and care for creation. To read the full story and view photos from the day, visit: tinyurl.com/yc3k7hym

Holy Hours for Vocations – Catholic Diocese of Sale

“A prayer today… A shepherd tomorrow…”

Come and spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life across our diocese.

Upcoming Dates (2026):

  • Saturday, 31 October 2026: Mass & Holy Hour commencing at 9:30 am at St Patrick’s Church, Pakenham.

More dates across the diocese to follow. All are warmly welcome to join us in prayer!

Invitation: An Evening of Children's Choir Music

The Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) Children’s Choir invites parish and Catholic school children’s choirs across the Diocese of Sale to an evening of music, faith, and celebration.

  • Date & Time: Saturday, 7 November 2026, ~7:00 pm
  • Venue: OLHC Parish, Narre Warren
  • Eligibility: School-age children (Foundation–Year 12) in parish or school choirs (no soloists or older youth groups).
  • Repertoire: Christian / Praise & Worship music only.
  • EOI Deadline: Friday, 18 September 2026

Sound equipment (PA and up to eight microphones) will be provided. Performance allocations and arrival details will follow once group numbers are finalised.

To register your Expression of Interest and find complete event details, please visit the diocesan website: tinyurl.com/28946dzu

We hope this will be a joyful opportunity for our young singers to come together in faith, celebrate the gift of music, and encourage one another through song. We look forward to hearing from interested parishes and schools across the Diocese.

Kind regards,
Martina & Clyde

Social Justice Statement: Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division

In the lead-up to Social Justice Sunday, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released its latest Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division. The bishops call on all faithful to help foster a more cohesive and peaceful Australia by cultivating a "culture of encounter"—choosing forgiveness over enmity, hospitality over isolation, and active listening across differences.

To read the full statement, access resources, and watch the launch recording, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yc3m9d2v

Beyond the Wedding Threshold: A Survey for Catholics in the First Decade of Marriage

The Australian Catholic Bishops are funding a study into the experience of married Catholics.

The results will help inform the development of pastoral responses and resources.

If you married in the last 10 years and at least one spouse is Catholic, they'd love to hear from you.

Can you provide valuable insights to their work by completing this short survey about your marriage?

https://thepmrc.org/survey

All your answers are anonymous and confidential, and you can contact the researchers directly if you have any questions.