Year in Review 2025 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 9 It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost six years since I first stood at this lectern in October 2019. The time since then has been full of lots of activity, which always makes it hard to notice how long it’s been going on. It’s been an extraordinary privilege and variety of experiences for me, as I have been welcomed into the life of this Diocese and have come to know the people, the priests, and the communities who belong here. I’m very grateful that so many of those communities are represented today, and I appreciate the effort that each of you has made to be part of this celebration. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to gather with the priests and seminarians of the Diocese tomorrow evening for Mass and a farewell dinner. With your help, during my time in the Diocese I have received rich insights into the many different aspects of a bishop’s ministry. As well as being entrusted with leadership and guidance across the Diocese, I have also had the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of activities outside the Diocese, including the various activities that the Sandhurst Diocese contributes to at a Victorian level, the regular meetings and gatherings of the Australian bishops, the Australian Plenary Council, the two sessions of the Synod for a Synodal Church in Rome, and the annual meetings of the international commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the members of the World Methodist Council (which includes the Uniting Church of Australia). So, in some ways it feels like a lot more than six years too: I’m familiar with all of our parishes and schools, and feel quite at home in our presbyteries, where I’ve received such warm hospitality from priests and parishioners as I’ve travelled around the Diocese; I’ve been to India and the Philippines to visit the families of our priests who come from those countries; I can find my way to most parts of the Diocese without needing to use the GPS – though I have to admit that I still struggle with some of the twisted streets around Bendigo! I’m not even a ‘young’ bishop anymore; there’s a dozen others in Australia who have been ordained as bishop since me! Some of the experiences of the last six years are starting to feel like a long time ago. Less than six months after I became Farewell Mass Homily from Bishop Shane Mackinlay Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo 7 September 2025
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