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Catholic Diocese of Ballarat

A Community of Communities

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Latest News

23 January 2026

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

The people of the Diocese of Ballaratare invited to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgivingto mark the retirement ofBishop Paul Bird ...

23 January 2026

Australia Day 2026 Reflection and Discernment Guide

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council has released its Australia Day statement and resources

19 January 2026

Rite of Election 2026

The Rite of Election is an important part of the process of a person’s journey to full membership in the ...

08 January 2026

New Bishop for Ballarat

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the appointment of Fr Mark William Freeman as the ninth Bishop of Ballarat. Pope Leo XIV announced the ...

22 December 2025

Christmas Message from Bishop Paul

“Peace be with you all” May you have the great blessing of peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, ...

18 December 2025

59th World Day of Peace: January 1, 2026

Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace” The theme of Pope Leo XIV’s first World Peace ...

17 December 2025

Diocesan Offices dates for Christmas / New Year

Operating dates of the diocesan offices for Christmas / New Year

16 December 2025

Progress Report

The Bishops Conferences of Australia, Ireland and New Zealand are working together to prepare a new edition of the Lectionary.  ...

15 December 2025

Reverse Advent Calendar Ballarat

Staff from the Diocesan Offices contributed again to the Reverse Advent Calendar, which is a great opportunity to give to ...

15 December 2025

Bondi attack

A message from Bishop Paul Bird CSsR in response to the tragic event at Bondi: Memorial Service in the Ballarat ...

11 December 2025

Jubilee Year of Hope Closing Mass

The Jubilee Year of Hope concludes on Sunday, December 28, 2025, feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  ...

10 December 2025

“Making a Scene at Christmas” Nativity Display

A display of over 600 nativity sets from over 80 countries

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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.