On Monday, April 14, 2025, the beginning of Holy Week, the Mass of the Oils was celebrated with priests and people from around the diocese.

The Chrism Mass celebrates the unity of the diocese where priests, religious and laity renew their commitment to call to serve in Christ’s name as baptised members of his Church.  We acknowledge all those who share their gifts and ministries in the service of his Kingdom.  The Holy Oils were blessed and consecrated and distributed to all the communities of our diocese for the celebration of the Sacraments.

The Oils – Oil of the Sick, Oil of Catechumens and the Holy Chrism – will reach those in our diocese who become sick and are anointed; every baby in our diocese who is baptised; and every young person and adult in our diocese who are fully initiated into the community of the Church and at ordinations.

The Main Celebrant was Bishop Paul Bird CSsR, along with concelebrants Fr Marcello Colasante, Vicar General and Fr Ed Moloney, Administrator of the Cathedral Parish.  The Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, was visiting the Diocese of Ballarat during Holy Week and was welcomed to the Mass.  Master of Ceremonies was Fr Gregory Tait PP,  All Saints Parish, Portland.

Clergy celebrating a jubilee were also invited to concelebrate Mass.  Bishop Paul acknowledged the clergy jubiliarians for 2025.  Seminarians Simon Zakari and Channa Tilakarathna were also in attendance.

Clergy Ordination Anniversaries 2025:

65 years:  Fr Patrick Flanagan
50 years:  Fr Wally Tudor SSC, Fr Eugene McKinnon and Bishop Paul Bird.

Members of the diocese fulfilling ministries at the Mass this year were:

Oil of Catechumen Procession:
Sr Barbara Broad rsm – Mission & Pastoral Coordinator: ISMAPNG South B Community
Sue Daly – Parish Leadership Team: St Patrick’s Parish, Gordon
Berice Agnew – Candidate:  St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East
Genevieve Johnston – St John the Baptist Parish, Beaufort
Flagon:  Anna Schlooz – St Augustine’s Parish, Creswick & Star of the Sea Parish, South West Coast

Oil of Chrism Procession:
Iris Brown – Candidate:  St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East
Lucy Darcy – Moderator:  St Brendan’s Parish, Cororooke
Bernadette Wurlod – Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Hampden
Dallas Wilkinson – RCIA Team:  St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East
Perfume:  Judd Boyd – Confirmation Candidate: St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East
Flagon:  Fr Eugene McKinnon – Jubilarian: Diocese of Ballarat

The music was beautifully led by Choir Conductor Roger Hillman, Organist Geoff Martin (Diocesan Liturgical Commission) and choir members from the parishes of Ballarat.  The Cantor for the evening was Joe Ewing from Star of the Sea Parish, South West Coast.  Joe’s rendition of the psalm filled the Cathedral and encouraged participation from those in the congregation.  Many thanks to all the musicians for their commitment to the hours involved in rehearsals and during the Mass.  The music was very fitting for such an important diocesan celebration.

There are many people involved in the success of this Mass and thanks is extended to our very capable Altar Servers George McLennen and Adam Colla, those who prepared the oils, participated in the various ministries, welcomers, ushers, Deneise Walsh and Cathedral Parish volunteers for the decor in the Cathedral, Peter Morris for the commentary and as Sacristan, Noeline Hogan, Cathy Prunty and Gabrielle Ewing for assisting with the of oils during Mass, Kay Curran and Susan Crowe for overseeing the set-up in the Cathedral for the Mass and clergy vestments, Tony Beggs from the Ballarat Cathedral parish office, Paul Demunk from Vision by Demunk for the livestream of the Mass and members of the Pastoral Ministry Office and Diocesan Liturgical Commission.

We also acknowledge and appreciate those who travelled vast distances to collect the oils for their parishes and we pray for the safe return home for all.