The Cathedral and Diocesan Chancery are situated in Bendigo. Several other offices are found in various parts of the Diocese, for a full list of organisations and services see Offices and Organisations.

Diocesan Chancery
PO Box 201
Bendigo Vic 3552 Australia

Tel: 03 5441 2544
Fax: 03 5441 8278
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Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time when families and friends make that extra effort to come together. It is such a heart moving moment when we see children opening their presents with such a glow on their faces. It is also so encouraging during this time of the year when so many provide practical assistance to those who are in need. Members of the St Vincent de Paul Society have been working so generously and with joy as they prepared parcels of food for those in need.

Yes it is also a busy time. The danger is that we can be caught up in the frenzy of buying things because this is what we are expected to do. Is it indeed a great time for celebrating especially when we keep before out hearts and minds the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is not centred on Father Christmas, or the Christmas tree or the decorations. It is centred on Jesus. Jesus is the reason for all the celebrations.I let St John the Evangelist speak to us about this, “For this is how God loved the world (you and me): He gave his only Son so that everyone who believe may have eternal life in him.” (Jn 3:16)

This means that Christmas is also a time to recall how important we all are as created by God. We have all been given many great qualities and we are meant to live as this God made man Jesus Christ taught us. In doing so we realise our full potential as human beings and we are also enabled to reach out to others to help others achieve the same. Moreover, we are destined to live with our God forever. Death is definitely not the end of our story. Death makes a new way of being with our God for eternity.

This is an awesome message. Every human person needs to become aware of this. Christmas gives us the opportunity to proclaim aloud this mighty reality through our celebrations, our gestures of kindness to others and through being united with our families and friends. The great reality is that Christmas is not celebrated only on December 25th but it is an every day reality.

God bless and Happy Christmas.

Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Victoria, Australia,
on the First Anniversary of the Decriminalisation of Abortion

22 OCTOBER 2009

a people of life
& a people for life