Jubilee of outreach to the Poor: Yarram Unites the Diocese in Hope and Action

YARRAM, VIC – The global Catholic tradition of the Jubilee arrived in Yarram on Saturday, November 29th, bringing together the diocese, catholic agencies and community groups for The Jubilee of the Poor.

As part of the "2025 Pilgrims of Hope" year, Bishop Greg Bennet has been leading special jubilee events across the Diocese of Sale. St. Mary’s Parish, Yarram had the honour of hosting the eighteenth of this diocesan celebration.

The day was defined by a powerful sense of togetherness, drawing approximately a hundred attendees from across the diocese. The special Mass was celebrated by Bishop Greg, and concelebrated by Vicar General Fr. Bernard Buckley and Parish Priest, Fr. Confidence Masvosva.

The service blended high-level leadership with local passion. The congregation was uplifted by flute music from Rosemary Irving, while inspiring talks were presented by Cathy Cook of the Yarram Neighbourhood House and Parish Council leader Annemarie Robb. Their messages reinforced the Jubilee theme: that faith is most powerful when it unites a community to serve.

The celebration extended well beyond the church walls, proving that the Jubilee is a "living" event. In a remarkable display of civic unity, St. Mary’s Parish and School joined forces with the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Apex, and local businesses.

Underscoring the significance of the occasion, the event was attended by prominent leaders in Catholic social justice. Cruz Ignatius, Province Director (VIC/TAS) of Catholic Missions, joined the gathering, alongside Siji Dominic, the Diocesan Director of Caritas Australia. Ms. Dominic also attended as Chair of "Shine a Light," the diocesan initiative dedicated to bringing awareness to domestic violence, deepening the day’s focus on supporting the vulnerable.

Adding to this spirit of service, representatives from St Vinnies were present, alongside the team from Paddy’s Kitchen—an outreach to the poor program based at St Patrick’s, Pakenham. Their presence highlighted a diocese-wide commitment to supporting the vulnerable, deepening the day’s focus on practical charity.

This collaboration transformed the spiritual message of the Jubilee into tangible action. Through "love, determination, and passion," these diverse groups worked as one to assemble 116 hampers for families in crisis, with more that flowed in on the day —far exceeding initial hopes.

"The hampers are about bringing joy, hope, and dignity to our neighbours," Fr Confidence said. "But the true success of the day was seeing the community work as one".

The event concluded with a shared lunch catered by parishioners, allowing guests from across the Diocese to connect. For Yarram, the Jubilee of the Poor was not just a single day of service, but the culmination of a year-long journey of outreach.

As the community looks toward Christmas, the event stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a town unites under the banner of hope.