September 2026

Dear Brothers,

The Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Stuart Hall saw bishops, priests, deacons and lay faithful from the Military Ordinariate far and wide gather with many other visitors in Melbourne. We saw the Melbourne Archdiocese on parade and our contribution to the Church around Australia was amply evident. It was wonderful to see our priests who now serve or have served the Ordinariate sharing with pride our hospitality to their friends and colleagues from other dioceses. Acknowledgment of the welcoming culture and faith commitment of the Melbourne Church, enhanced by events like the Annual Clergy Conference last month, was a prominent comment I heard from our visitors.
 
It was pleasing to hear James McLeod from Tobin Brothers, who sponsored our Jubilee Dinner at the Clergy Conference, commending the skill of those priests who while not disregarding the liturgical propriety of a Catholic funeral, were still able to pastorally accommodate those less familiar with our liturgy and customs. Rubrical inflexibility at a time of bereavement only serves to callously discard the only evangelizing chance we might have to reach these families. Even when done to model respect for the Catholic funeral rite it always fails because in their grief they are not ready for the lesson. Accommodating gestures on the other hand are seldom forgotten by the families.
 
We are now deep into the run up to the Melbourne Synod which will culminate at the Catholic Leadership Centre on the first weekend of December. Everyone who has contributed to the preparatory consultations will hopefully see their efforts taken up by the delegates and after spiritual consideration, returned to us in the form of practical suggestions that might inform our pastoral focus into the future.
 
With the annual general meeting of the Priests Remuneration Fund held at the end of last month it is opportune to remind ourselves of the PRF Charter and Guidelines regarding remuneration. Priests on appointment to a parish are principally engaged by that parish. It is the focal point and taxation centre for their remuneration. The ministry of any priest outside his appointed parish such as a funeral or wedding is in effect a secondment from his appointed parish and the stole fees and offerings for such ministry canonically belong to the presbytery account of his home parish from which the priest is eventually paid. It is reported that some clergy consider such ministry to be a “side hustle” and have been tempted to pocket the payments directly. This practice is defined by canon law as theft. Such behaviour also subverts the Taxation Administration Act 1953, whereby from 1 July 2002, religious practitioners became subject to pay as you go withholding tax. The funds in the presbytery account are parish property and only once a payment from this account is disbursed to him does it belong to the priest himself.
 
The Presbytery account receives the proceeds of all presbytery collections at weekend Masses and Holy Days of obligation, the Christmas and Easter offerings, stole fees for baptisms and weddings, funeral offerings, chaplaincy payments from convents, hospitals and schools, director fees, teaching or lecturing payments, royalty payments, honoraria etc.  For further clarification consult chapter 3 of the Parish Handbook.

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Very Rev Tony Kerin JCL VG
Vicar General

REQUEST FOR TABERNACLE 

St Elizabeth’s Parish is currently seeking a tabernacle. If any parish has an extra tabernacle that is no longer required and is available for donation, St Elizabeth’s would be most grateful to receive it. Please contact the parish office to arrange the details.

Phone: 0397956217
Email: NobleParkNorth@cam.org.au

ADULT CONFIRMATIONS – SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2026

The Sacrament of Adult Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral 2026 will be held on Sunday on 22 November 2026 at the 11am Solemn Mass. Adult Confirmation Candidates must be prepared by their local parish priest and receive a Confirmation card from their Priest on completion of their preparation. The Confirmation Card contains information such as:  Name in Confirmation, Full name, Address, Age, Date and Place of Baptism, Date of Baptism, Name of Sponsor's and Name and Signature of Priest recommending the candidate for Confirmation.
 
Please note it is important that you register your candidate prior to the information session, ensuring staff are aware of attendees on the evening.
 
The Confirmation Application Form MUST be completed and returned prior to the information evening. Please find here the Confirmation Application Form
 
Candidates are required to attend an information session on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 6.30pm. The information session will be held in St Patrick’s Cathedral in the Sacred Heart Chapel.
 
Candidates must bring with them or email prior to the information session – Cathedral@cam.org.au  their Confirmation Application Form with copies of their Baptism Certificate, Birth Certificate, Confirmation Card, letter from the RCIA Co-Ordinator or Parish Priest confirming they have been prepared and of course their Sponsor.
 
For more information please contact Julie Allan on (03) 9662 2233 

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BALLARAT CLERGY GOLF DAY REUNION LUNCH – MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

While the Annual Ballarat Clergy Golf Day officially ended last year there was interest in a ‘Reunion Lunch’. Golfers and non-golfers are invited to the Golf Club Reunion Lunch at Maryborough Golf Club on Monday 21 September 2026 beginning with at 12.00 noon.

Please find here more information. If you are attending, please RSVP by 15 September 2026 to John Monaghan  john.monaghan@ballarat.catholic.org.au.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BISHOPS COMMISSION FOR RELATIONS WITH ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

Please find here a letter from Most Reverend Tim Norton SVD, regarding the availability of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Anointing Packages.

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THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC RECORD

Clergy are warmly encouraged to read the July issue of The Australasian Catholic Record, which offers rich theological and pastoral reflection particularly pertinent to ordained ministry today.

ASSISTANT PARISH PRIEST

8 August 2026
Rev Leander Gonsalves MGL
Bennetswood & Burwood

Reverend Tadeusz Ziolkowski SChr

We pray for Fr Tadeusz Ziolkowski SChr who died on the 8 July 2026 aged 79 years.

Father was born on 26 October 1946 in Poland and ordained a priest for the Society of Christ Fathers. In 2001 he was appointed Parish Priest at St Elizabeth’s Parish, Noble Park North, where he remained until he retired due to illness.  Father Tadeusz was a fine example to both his brother priests and wider community. 

The Archdiocese is most grateful for his untiring service to the Church of Melbourne and to the Society of Christ Fathers.

May he rest in gentle peace.

Archbishop Peter will once again host Clergy dinners at his residence (199 Rathdowne Street, Carlton) from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. For those new to these events, Archbishop Peter and seven guests can be accommodated for each dinner, and you will be able to see the available dates in the booking process, and whether a dinner evening is fully subscribed.  

2026 evenings:

• Tuesday 20 October

• Tuesday 10 November 

• Tuesday 15 December

Parking is available in the grounds of Sacred Heart Church (corner Rathdowne and Pelham Streets).  Enter via Pelham Street. The (walk in) entrance to the residence is on Rathdowne Street. From time-to-time emergency meetings crop up in the Archbishop’s diary.  We will try and give as much advance notice as possible should this happen in regard to your booking.

Register here.

Melbourne Synod Update from Bishop Martin Ashe
Thank you for supporting the preparations leading to the Melbourne Synod. A reminder regarding the Membership process:
 
Regional parish representatives:
Friday 11 September: Recommendations for the nominated fifteen representatives of each region are to be submitted to the Synod office.
 
Submissions
As you may recall, we closed the submission portal on the weekend of 22/23 August. All the data received by that date is now being reviewed and coded for reporting purposes with the assistance of the National Centre for Pastoral Research. On Tuesday 1 September, the Synod Commission will meet to review the data and provide guidance to the writing groups. The writing groups will commence their work toward the end of next week. We are currently in the process of finalising the composition of these groups and membership will be announced shortly. Responses received after the closing weekend are also being collated and will be provided to the commission in a separate paper summarising the key themes that have emerged. If you have any queries regarding the process, please get in touch with Cathy Jenkins via Synod2026@cam.org.au.

Please find here the latest update for the Melbourne Synod 2026.

SAFEGUARDING UPDATE

Child Safety Obligations for Contractors: 
A newly updated and long-awaited Information Sheet – Child Safety Obligations for Contractors v3.0 is now available on the Safeguarding Unit SharePoint. Parishes and relevant personnel are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated information.
Access the document here: ​INFO SHEET Child safety obligations for contractors v3.0​
 
Youth and Young Adult Programs:
It has come to light that a number of parishes are using the term “youth” for programs that include people over the age of 18. The Archdiocese encourages parishes to refer to those aged 18 and over as 'young adults', and to ensure that appropriate and separate arrangements are made for 'children and young people' under 18.  
 
The Archdiocese encourages parishes with youth groups that include people over and under the age of 18, to separate into 'over 18 young adults groups' and 'under 18 youth groups'. This approach reduces safeguarding risks and enables activities, discussions and support to be tailored to the developmental needs and life experiences of each age group.

PARISH ADMINISTRATION DAY – THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2026

The Parish Administration Day which will be held on Thursday 17 September 2026 from 10:00am – 3:30pm at The Catholic Leadership Centre (CLC) 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. The forum will commence with morning tea from 10.00am.
 
Please find the Agenda for your reference.

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UPDATED - MARRIAGE DISPENSATION FORMS

We are pleased to advise that the Mixed Marriage, Marriage in a Suitable Place, and the Canonical form of Marriage have been updated with a more streamlined design.
While the overall appearance of the forms has changed slightly, very few changes have been made to their content. The biggest benefit is that these forms are now available electronically, making them easier to access and complete.
 
Please note these forms are effective from 1 October 2026.
 
If you have any questions, please email marriages@cam.org.au or call Sheree Gee on 9926 2455 (workdays are Tues, Wed, Thurs).

WORLD YOUTH DAY SEOUL 2027
Take courage! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
The Archdiocese of Melbourne is inviting young people in Year 10 (minimum age 15) up to 30 years old to journey to Seoul, South Korea, for World Youth Day 2027, from 3–8 August 2027. WYD is an opportunity for young people to encounter Christ, experience the joy of the universal Church and return home to continue to grow in their faith. The Archdiocese is offering three pilgrimage options, Direct to Seoul, Via Incheon and Via Japan with formation and preparation leading into the journey. Parishes are strongly encouraged to participate in the Archdiocesan-led program. 
 
Please encourage the young people in your parish to consider this opportunity and register their interest. Find out more at https://melbournecatholic.org/wyd27.
 
CALLED AND GIFTED DISCERNMENT PROCESS
Begins with the Called and Gifted Workshop, Friday 11 September, 6pm-9pm and Saturday 12 September, 9am-4pm, Catholic Leadership Centre,
East Melbourne.
Parishes and communities are invited to send two to five people to join the Called and Gifted Discernment Process, created by Sherry Weddell's Catherine of Siena Institute. This three-month journey includes a workshop, interview and small group sessions. Cost $95 per person. Participants must have the endorsement of their Parish Priest before registering.
 Further information and registration here.
 
ANCHORED - LOVING SMARTER: KEYS TO RELATIONSHIP SUCCESS
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 7.30pm, Online
Join Drs Byron and Francine Pirola, founders of SmartLoving, as they share practical insights into what makes relationships flourish. During this online webinar, you will discover how understanding your spouse's unique needs can strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection and help you avoid common relationship pitfalls. Register here.
 
PARISH BULLETIN NOTICES – PROCLAIM: OFFICE FOR MISSION RENEWAL
Find the latest parish bulletin notices of upcoming events from Proclaim: Office for Mission Renewal including World Youth Day, Called and Gifted and youth and young adult events here.​