Serving Faithfully
Serving Faithfully is a newsletter of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Military Services. It is published quarterly by the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia. The Diocese is comprised of members of the Australian Defence Force and their families wherever they may be serving. Its people are scattered widely across Australia and overseas.
Serving Faithfully aims to be a means of sharing events and experiences from across the whole Diocese.
Read Serving Faithfully
Recent News
Catholics reminded to preach the Gospel always, everywhere
Media Release - 18 July 2023 Catholics are being urged to “preach all the Gospel, to all the world, all ...
Baptism & Confirmation at Sea
Fr Martin Monaghan recently conducted Baptism and Confirmation for ABET-C Ryan Barber whilst at sea on HMAS Sydney ...
Mass in the Field
Newly posted Chaplain to the Australian Army, Fr Kene Onwukwe recently held Mass in the field on 12 May 23 at ...
Easter Message 2023
EASTER HUMANITY In recent years it seems that our annual celebration of Easter accompanies some societal calamity. There has been ...
Chrism Mass Homily 2023
HOMILY ARCHBISHOP CHRISTOPHER PROWSE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF CANBERRA AND GOULBURN ST CHRISTOPHER’S CATHEDRAL 5.00pm 3 APRIL 2023 CHRISM MASS AND ...
Easter Blessings
The Catholic Military Diocese wishes all uniformed members and family a very happy and peace filled Easter. Please be assured ...
ANZAC Day Mass 2023
The Military Ordinariate of Australia invites you to: The National ANZAC Day Mass at St Christopher's Cathedral, Manuka ACT at ...
Walking Together … at Christmas
Despite COVID 19 still present in the community, in comparison to recent years we are able to enjoy this Christmas ...
Congratulations to Deacon Clinton McGoldrick
On Saturday 26 November 2022, Clinton was ordained to the Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Clinton will transition to ...
Chaplains Retreat 2022
The Annual Catholic Chaplains Retreat held at the Marist Hermitage, Mittagong 30 October – 04 November this year was of ...
All Saints Chapel, Lavarack Barracks
By Father Thomas Zaranski On the 13th November 2022 at All Saints Chapel, Lavarack Barracks, Natalie Maree Shepard received the ...
Welcomes and Farewells
Welcome Clint McGoldrick
The Military Ordinariate welcomes Clint McGoldrick to Army Reserve Chaplaincy. Clint has joined us as a Pastoral Associate from the ...
Welcome Deacon Adrian Gomez
Deacon Adrian Gomez is a permanent Deacon from the Diocese of Broken Bay. Married with 2 teenage Children. Adrian currently ...
Welcome Fr Thomas Zaranski
Fr Thomas Zaranski is a priest of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, has joined the Australian Army as priest Chaplain. Upon ...
Farewell Deacon Leo Orreal
Leo enlisted into the Australian Army in 1983. He served as a soldier in the infantry and the Military Police ...
Feature Articles
Mass in the Field
Newly posted Chaplain to the Australian Army, Fr Kene Onwukwe recently held Mass in the field on 12 May 23 at ...
Chaplains Retreat 2022
The Annual Catholic Chaplains Retreat held at the Marist Hermitage, Mittagong 30 October – 04 November this year was of ...
Plenary Council 2020
Plenary Council of Australia The Military Diocese as an integral part of the Catholic Church in Australia is called to ...
News Archive
ADF Helicopter Crash
On July 28, 2023, during Exercise Talisman Sabre four Australian soldiers died from a helicopter crash during a night‐time exercise ...
Year of St Joseph Monthly Reflections – 2021
The Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of St Joseph”, running from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021, commemorating ...
Anniversary of Captain Bryce Duffy
By Chaplain Joseph Moloney The 29th of October marked the ten year anniversary of the death of Captain Bryce Duffy, ...
Congratulations to Fr Brad Rafter
We wish to convey our congratulations to Fr Brad Rafter, Australian Army – Reserves who recently received his fours year ...
DNA Reveals Identity of Australia’s Famous Unknown sailor’
Australia's biggest maritime mystery has been solved 80 years after the sinking of the warship HMAS Sydney. The Royal Australian ...
Fifty Years of Priestly Service
Two former Catholic Chaplains this year celebrate Golden Jubilees of ordination. Monsignor John Boyle Monsignor Boyle served as a Reserve ...
A Chance Meeting – an Extraordinary Find
Bishop Len Eacott AM , former Army Chaplain and later Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force has provided this ...
Collaboration to Connect Defence and Veterans Families to Support Afghan Refugees
Many families would like to support the wave of refugees from Afghanistan that are soon to settle in Australia. As a ...
Our Stories
Finding Strength in God’s Word
By Fr Kene Onwukwe The bushfires that necessitated Operation Bushfire Assist 2019 were overwhelming. They brought the Australian public to ...
Vale—Father Keith Teefey CSsR
Father Keith Patrick Teefey, a priest of the Congregation of The Most Holy Redeemer, died on 11 May 2018 at ...
A Letter to a Cobber
Right to Die or Duty to Die? Major General Peter R Phillips AO MC KCSG [Papal] [Ret’d] Dear ‘Snow’, It ...
Old Army Chalice Finds New Owner
Chaplain Paul Ghanem OFM recently contributed to ForceNet, a Defence online publication. He has been parading for three months with ...
The Anzac Book
The Anzac Book was an instant success when it was released in 1916. It was an anthology of poems, stories, ...
Borneo Campaign 70th Anniversary
In the dying days of World War II one large island still remained in control of an invading aggressive Imperial ...
ANZAC Day – the Centenary of ANZAC
THE ANZAC EVENT THROUGH EYES OF FAITH ANZAC Day is a poignant and meaningful commemoration for so many Australian, ever ...
Chaplain Sees Timor Horror
(An article from the "Frankston Standard", December 20, 1999. NB. The journalist is a Jehovah's Witness and didn't like the ...