Sir Edward Elgar's 'O Salutaris Hostia' in E flat from 10.30am Solemn Mass, Sunday 3 August 2025, St Philip's Church, Blackburn North.

4 August - Feast of St John Vianney, patron saint of priests. "A priest goes to Heaven or a priest goes to Hell with a thousand people behind." - St John Vianney Images from Ars, 3 September 2013.

An interesting turn of events in Dunedin! Waikato Times, 7 July 1931

V.VIII.2025 - 9th Anniversary of the consecration of the altar in St Philip's Church, Blackburn North. "The Christian altar is by its very nature properly the table of sacrifice and of the paschal banquet."

Bishop Peter Elliott - died in Melbourne 6 August AD2025. May his labours for the Church, especially in the fields of liturgy, catechesis, and marriage and family life, be richly rewarded by the Lord. + Requiescat in pace.

Sunday 10/8/25 Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy VIC members joined in prayer for Bishop Peter Elliott RIP. Vespers & Benediction in St Michael's Church Nth Melbourne then supper in the presbytery recalling aspects of His Lordship's life & his great support of the ACCC.

13/8/25 - First session of the Evangelium adult catechesis course at St Philip's Parish in Blackburn North. A mixture of life-long and recent Catholics, as well as enquirers into the faith. An opportunity for us all to discover afresh the "Good News" that God has revealed to us.

Former Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand (2019-2024) His Excellency Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa has died. He had suffered a major stroke in October 2023 and moved to Rome March 2024. A faithful shepherd, may he be welcomed into the joy of his heavenly reward. + Requiescat in pace.

A joyful gathering of about 80 parishioners on Sunday 14/9/25 at a nearby hotel. Great to catch up with old friends/make new ones. "Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine there’s always laughter and good red wine. At least I’ve always found it so, Benedicamus Domino!" - H. Belloc

"We often think we receive graces and are divinely illuminated by means of brilliant candles. But from whence comes their light? From prayers, perhaps, of some humble, hidden soul, whose inward shining is not apparent to human eyes." - St Thérèse of Lisieux. Feast Day 1 October.

Divine renovation for about 40 parishioners at 1st Friday Devotions tonight. St John Vianney saw a man in the church each day, kneeling silently, just looking at the tabernacle. Asked what he was doing, the man replied, “I look at the good God and He looks at me.” Simple really!

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo welcomed participants of the Christus Rex pilgrimage for the concluding Mass celebrated in the Dominican Rite, Sunday 26 October 2025. Locals pleased to see the Cathedral so full. I played Widor's 'Toccata' as the postlude. Vivat Christus Rex!