By Fr Jackson Saunders

A group of newly ordained priests from the Sandhurst, Ballarat and Sale Diocese's are gathering for an in-service with the topic, 'Reflections on Lived Experience of our Priestly Ministry.' The inservice gathers priests, who have been ordained five years or less, and is taking place in Moama from March 6-9. 

Among those in attendance included the Bishops of the three regional Diocese of Victoria, Bishops Shane Mackinlay, Paul Bird and Greg Bennet. Fathers Joe Taylor VG, Brian Boyle EV, and Jake Mudge (Sandhurst), Kevin Maloney VG (Ballarat) and Denis O'Bryan EV (Sale) also supported the occasion. 

The program included daily talks, lectures, prayer, Mass and fraternity. 

Echuca Parishioner, Christine Sebire, and Chris Cotter (Director of Mission and Pastoral Life for the Sandhurst Diocese) also had an involvement in the program. 

Topics covered included human formation, priestly identity, safeguarding those in our care, synodality in parish ministry, the art of presiding as a priest and ministry supervision. 

Another blessing of the occasion was being able to gather with other young priests in ministry, who we studied with at the seminary and to renew these friendships. 

I speak on behalf of all of the newly ordained priests in expressing our gratitude to those who have arranged and enabled this in-service to take place.