Diocesan News
On Monday, March 30, 2026, 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, deacons, 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 Mark Freeman, along with Fr Marcello Colasante, Vicar General and Fr Ed Moloney, Administrator of the Cathedral Parish. Clergy celebrating a jubilee were also invited to con-celebrate Mass. Bishop Mark acknowledged the clergy jubiliarians for 2026 during the Mass.
Clergy Ordination Anniversaries 2026:
70 years: Fr Dan Arundell and Fr Damian Heath
65 years: Bishop Peter Connors
40 years: Fr Denis Ryan
25 years: Fr Marcello Colasante
Members of the diocese fulfilling ministries at the Mass this year were:
Altar Servers and Seminarians: Channa Tilakarathna & Simon Zakari – Seminarians: Diocese of Ballarat
First Reading: Tom Perfect – St Peter’s Parish, Daylesford
Cantor: Christiana Vadysinghe – Ballarat Cathedral Parish
Second Reading: Dr Rosemary Canavan – St Patrick’s Parish, Gordon
Gospel Procession: Lesley Price – St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East
Gospel: Fr Marcello Colasante – Vicar General: Diocese of Ballarat and Jubilarian
Presentation of the Gifts: Pat & Marita O’Shea – St Brendan’s Parish, Cororooke
Preparation and distribution of the Oils: Pastoral Ministry Office and members of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission
Commentary: Dr Peter Morris – St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Ballarat
Oil Bearers 2026
Oil of the Sick:
Peter Marquand – Holy Trinity Parish, South West Ballarat
Sisters of Nazareth – Nazareth House, Ballarat
Kate Lawry – DOBCEL – Leader: Catholic Identity & Mission Team
Maureen Waddington – Director of Mission Integration: St John of God Hospital Ballarat
Flagon: Alan West – St Vincent de Paul Society: Ballarat Conference
Oil of Catechumen:
Vicki Moroney – Ballarat Cathedral Parish
Jim Waight – DOBCEL Education Officer: Formation for Mission (Primary & Secondary)
Sue Conlan – St Patrick’s Parish, Gordon
Gerard Gleeson – St Patrick’s Parish, Camperdown
Flagon: Cathy Prunty – Diocesan Liturgical Commission
Oil of Chrism:
Terry Long – St Augustine’s Parish, Maryborough
Jan Fenech – St Paul VI Parish, Wimmera Mallee
Christine Shaw – Principal: Loreto College, Ballarat
Belinda Randall – East Wimmera Parish
Perfume: Jasmine McIlvena – Candidate: St Patrick’s Parish, Gordon
Flagon: Fr Marcello Colasante – Vicar General: Diocese of Ballarat & Jubilarian
The choir was once again beautifully led by Conductor Roger Hillman, Organist Ann-Maree Caligari (Ballarat Cathedral Parish) and Flautist Adrian Newman (St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East).
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.
Before the final blessing, Dr Peter Morris called representatives of the parishes of the diocese forward to collect the Oils from Bishop Mark.
Following Mass all were invited to the Hall to share in lunch, which was provided by Brett Hayward from ACU Ballarat Campus Canteen.
There are many people involved in the success of this Mass and thanks is extended to our seminarians and Altar Servers, those who prepared the oils, those who participated in the various ministries, welcomers, ushers, Deneise Walsh for the decor in the Cathedral, Kay Curran and Susan Crowe for overseeing the set-up for the Mass, Peter Morris for the commentary and acting as Sacristan, Paul Demunk from Vision by Demunk for the livestream of the Mass and members of the Pastoral Ministry Office and Diocesan Liturgical Commission for their assistance throughout.
