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Catholic Diocese of Ballarat

A Community of Communities

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Latest News

24 February 2026

Rite of Election 2026

The annual Rite of Election was celebrated on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat by Bishop Paul ...

18 February 2026

Pilgrimage of the Migrant Jubilee Cross 2025-2026

The Pilgrimage of the Migrant Jubilee Cross Australia 2025-2026 (MJC) aims to offer an opportunity for the Catholic Church in ...

17 February 2026

Citizen of the Year

Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) staff member Jim Waight has been named the City of Ballarat’s 2026 Citizen of the Year. ...

17 February 2026

Connecting again

Towards the end of 2025, St John of God Hospital Ballarat had the privilege of connecting again with colleagues in ...

17 February 2026

Catholic Education Central Zone Special Mass for Schools

On Tuesday, January 27, staff from the Catholic Education Central Zone schools gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a beautiful Mass to ...

17 February 2026

Japanese teachers meet as part of the Collaborative Innovation Research Prototype (CIRP)

Honouring the existing strong historical connection between Warrnambool and Japan, the first curriculum workshop of the Warrnambool-based Japanese primary teacher ...

17 February 2026

DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Podcast Launch: Towards 2035

The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited are pleased to launch a new DOBCEL podcast series, Towards 2035, which explores the ...

17 February 2026

Year of St Francis

POPE Leo XIV has proclaimed 2026 The Year of St Francis. The Vatican has announced plenary indulgences for the Year ...

17 February 2026

New Bishop for Ballarat

The Diocese of Ballarat has welcomed the appointment of Fr Mark William Freeman as the ninth Bishop of Ballarat. Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment in ...

16 February 2026

New Graduate Nurses for 2026

Welcome to the St John of God Hospital Ballarat new Graduate nurses for 2026! The hospital’s 12-month graduate nursing and ...

16 February 2026

Sign up for ‘The Long Walk for Water’ to support Project Compassion this Lent. 

Caritas Australia is calling on individuals, schools, parishes and community groups across the country to sign up for The Long Walk for Water challenge ...

16 February 2026

Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the retirement of Bishop Paul Bird CSsR

The people of the Diocese of Ballarat are invited to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the retirement of ...

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Diocesan Vision Statement

We are a community of communities from the Murray to the sea. Inspired by the Gospel and nourished by the Eucharist, we follow the example of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reaching out in joyful and humble service, caring for all of God’s creation, growing in love day by day and looking forward to life with God forever.

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Ballarat sits. We would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and future. Their wisdom can help us care for the earth, our common home.