More than 20 parishioners gathered for a cuppa following the 9:30 am Mass last Sunday, the 22nd of September, to engage in a discussion centered around the first-ever parish annual report, which was published on the 1st of September 2024. The meeting provided a platform for parishioners to put forward suggestions and seek clarifications.

Due to the scheduled in-service training for all the priests in the Diocese of Sandhurst, there will be no Mass at St Mel’s from 9th to 12th September. The training aims to provide priests with the opportunity for updating and fraternity as they gather together for this important event.

Father Rene, our parish priest, is currently in Italy to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of a dear friend. He will be away from September 3rd until September 18th to partake in this joyous occasion. Accompanied by another priest from the Philippines, Father Rene has been invited to attend the long-awaited celebration, set to take place in Lecce on the 8th of September.

St Mel’s Parish recently released its Parish Annual Report, outlining the financial status and highlighting the importance of continued support from the community. The report emphasizes the economic challenges faced by the parish and expresses gratitude for the generosity of parishioners.

On 29th of August, Fr. Rene joined a small group of priests in welcoming Fr. Stephen Wang to a dinner in North Melbourne. Fr. Stephen Wang previously served as the chaplain of Newman House in Central London, which is run by the Diocese of Westminster. While at Newman House, he led a group of young people in developing the Sycamore course, a program aimed at making Christianity more accessible to students with little or no prior knowledge of the faith. The course seeks to create a welcoming environment for students to engage with faith and community.

On Sunday, 25 August 2024, an air of joy and gratitude filled St. Mel's Parish as the community gathered to commemorate Fr. Ruel Desamparado's 15th Priestly Anniversary. The celebration, which kicked off at 11:30 am, brought together parishioners of diverse backgrounds in a heartwarming display of unity and fellowship.

Since May 2024, St. Mel’s parish has been celebrating a First Friday Novena Mass in honor of the Sto Niño, as a 9-month preparation prior to the celebration of the Grand Feast of the Holy Child on the 3rd Sunday of January 2025. As part of this celebration, the parishioners have been praying for their own statue of the Infant Jesus of Cebu. On the 24th of August, their prayers were answered when Mrs. Theresa Breen, from Cranbourne, generously donated the image of the Holy Child of Jesus to the Parish. The statue came all the way from Cebu, made by a skilled artisan who creates replicas for the Shrine in Cebu.

The Diocesan Conference for parish administration staff kicked off today at the Chancery, with a focus on professional development and knowledge sharing. Over the next two days, a group of secretaries and office manangers from various parishes in the Diocese of Sandhurst will engage in a series of sessions covering a wide range of topics, including Financial Administration, Human Resource software, risk and insurance management, and other relevant issues and opportunities.

The Rogationist Community in the Diocese of Sandhurst is pleased to welcome Father Damianus Doe, affectionately known as "Addin," as a new addition to their community. Father Addin was born on the 19th of July 1988 in Detusoko, Ende, Indonesia. He has pursued an inspiring journey of faith and service, embodying dedication and passion in his vocation.

Father Rene embarks on his annual retreat and a two-week vacation from June 27th to July 20th. During this time, he will be reuniting with his family, including his mum, siblings, and his dad's side of the family, in Chicago, Illinois.

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, a jubilant atmosphere filled St. Mel's Parish as the community came together to celebrate Fr. Rene Ramirez's 26th Priestly Anniversary. The event, which commenced at 9:30am, was a heartwarming occasion that brought together parishioners from all walks of life.

The community of St. Mel’s Parish came together on June 9, 2024, to partake in a joyous celebration honoring the Feast of St. Anthony. The event began with a packed Holy Mass at 10:00 am, where parishioners and visitors gathered to mark the occasion. Many traveled from near and far, with some guests journeying from as distant as Wangaratta to join in the festivities.

Fr. Rene, our parish priest, will be taking a two-week leave to participate in an intensive course organized by the Institute of Marriage Tribunal Practice. The course, running from June 10th to June 21st, will equip Fr. Rene with the qualifications to assist in the Marriage Tribunal process and interviews in our diocese.

Our parish priest, Fr. Rene Ramirez, will be one of the panelists for an upcoming panel discussion that will delve into the topic of reimagining Priesthood in the Church of the 21st Century. The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Greg Craven Centre of the Australian Catholic University. The venue is located at Level 7, St. Teresa of Kolkata Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, and will commence at 5:00 pm.

In response to a push by some parliamentarians to end the recitation of prayer in the Victorian Parliament, Archbishop Comensoli, along with other religious leaders, has written a letter to all Members of Parliament emphasizing the fundamental and ongoing importance of prayer. The letter can be found at: www.bit.ly/parliamentaryprayer.

Father Joe Taylor, the Parish Priest of Shepparton, will mark 50 years in the priesthood this weekend by celebrating with eight couples who are observing their golden wedding anniversaries this year.

We're happy to announce that you can now receive your Donation Transaction Statements via email. To request your statement, simply visit our Parish Online Donations Portal and click on the "Request Payment Report" button located at the bottom of the page.

After a long hiatus, the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua is set to return this year, much to the delight of the local community. The celebration is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 9th at 10:00am, and will include a special Mass, procession, and the distribution of the Bread of St. Anthony.

May will be a special time of devotion for the parishioners of St. Mel’s Catholic Church. During all Masses throughout the month of May, there will be flower offerings to the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary before the final blessing. Parishioners are encouraged to bring their own flowers for this purpose. This is a beautiful and meaningful way to show love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the Marian month.