In June 2009, Pope Benedict declared a year for supporting ordained priests. You support me, your priest, very well financially. Last Monday I attended the Golden Jubilee of my cousin, Fr. John Hannah, at Sorrento. It was a joyful occasion attended by hundreds to give thanks to God for such a long and fruitful ministry.
With declining numbers of active priests, the workload has increased and many priests have extra ministries beyond their appointed parish as hospital chaplains, university chaplains, prison chaplains, counselors, theology lecturers, secondary school chaplains, work on diocesan committees, etc.—there is plenty of variety in priestly ministry!
Some Victorian parish churches now have Sunday Mass once a fortnight, eg. Daylesford and Ouyen. At the moment there are six vacant parishes for a priest: Bundoora, Dandenong, Donvale, Gardenvale, Noble Park and Sunshine West
Fr Kevin
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 