Clergy Conference during Pirests' Retreat with Fr Luke Fay CSsR. Proposal for a cluster meeting of all diocesan committees and functions in February/March.

New Rite of Funerals now available.

Inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Senate of Priests at Priests Conference.

Monsignor Nestor of CEO spoke of the role of the CECWA to liaise with Federal and State Governments in the management of schools
Catholic Church Insurances offer a Master Plan for the diocese with group/public liability cover.

Distribution of Directory and list of approved music for liturgy, compiled by national advisory committee to the Bishops’ Conference’s Committee

First university courses, in-service training, and adult education offer by the Catholic Pastoral Institute of WA, in Bunbury dioceses and elsewhere in WA.

Introduction of the Franciscan Sisters to Bunbury Diocese to serve Aboriginal apostolate and other needs, based in Wagin.

Introduction of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers to Bunbury Diocese and establishment of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers to Bunbury Diocese in CBD.

Priests’ Conference held at the Franciscan Retreat House, Victoria Park, for the first time.

News from Mr Brian Byrne of a programme of integrated religious studies for the Government schools and/or ecumenical programmes.

Panel with school principals from Aquinas, Loreto, Iona, Santa Maria and Sorrento about Pastoral concerns with children form rural areas in city boarding schools. Explanation of the new rites for the Sacrament of Penance, with Liturgy of the Word and varied sacramental forms. The restrictions on General Absolution were discussed.

Discussion on the new rites for the Sacrament of Penance, with Liturgy of the Word and varied sacramental forms. The restrictions on General Absolution were discussed.

Discussion on the possible role of Acolytes to be taken further. In specific conditions Religious – Brothers or Sisters – may take communion to the sick, elderly or housebound.

Sick Priests Fund Committee elected to consider its status as a “Friendly Society” to benefit under Social Security Provisions.

Formation of a Diocesan Education Committee of the Diocesan Pastoral Council presumed a priest member on committee, Fr R. Hardiman elected
Priests to be appointed chaplains to Knights of the Southern Cross branches.

Fr J. J. McGrath acting Chancellor in Fr Corietti’s absence.

Dr Russell Hardiman appointed Director of Catholic Education for Bunbury Diocese.

Aboriginal Hostel established in Albany (Tintinara) to offer accommodation for boys to attend high school, under Fr Brian Tierney of the Pallotines

Archbishop Goody blessed State Two extensions of the Mandurah Church.

Visit of Fr Negri (Provincial) and Fr Sullivan (Bursar) of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation with a view to a foundation in the diocese for parish missions and a chapel in Bunbury

Annual Clergy Conference at Franciscan Retreat House, Victoria Park.

Report on Catholic Welfare by Fr B. Hickey and Ms Barbara Kinna and proposals for Bunbury office to have a social worker.

Seminars on the New Rite of Reconciliation.

Names of Acolytes may be proposed. Sisters may help with Communion

Participation by Fr B. Dwyer in the first Marriage Encounter weekend.

Introduction of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers into Bunbury – Frs Tony Lawless, Brian Morrison and Fr Joe Gerin, working in Bunbury chapel and in parishes, and on radio

Beginning of Marriage Encounter in WA.

Arrival of 10 Carmelite Sisters from Bangkok, Thailand, to set up an enclosure at the Dardanup Convent. Initially to live in Nedlands.

Beginnings of Marriage Encounter weekends in Bunbury Diocese.

Introduction of the Ministry of Instituted Acolytes in the Diocese of Bunbury

Live in workshop at Jarrahdale Village on “determining psychological and moral guilt!”

Modifications to Dardanup Convent prior to the Carmelite Sisters taking up residence.

Committee of enquiry about possibilities of the Diaconate. Fr Morrison and Bishop McKeon to liaise Coordinating committee for spiritual training and commissioning of acolytes set up, with Frs R. Hardiman, K. Johnston and Tony Lawless SSS

Clergy Conference at Franciscan Retreat House, Victoria Park. Topics included hospital visitation, preparing to die and pastoral care of the bereaved, marriage preparation, health education and diet, plus a river cruise. Combined venture at Priests’ Conference for River Cruise with students from Bunbury Diocese attending boarding schools in Perth, initiated by Fr W. K. Glover.

Discussion of proposal from Perth for Mandurah and Pinjarra parishes to transfer to Perth.

Trial period begun in which Bishop McKeon of Bunbury was deemed Vicar General over the parishes of Mandurah and Pinjarra for twelve months.

Fr John Walsh installed as parish priest of Mandurah, John Fitzgerald in Pinjarra

Clergy Conference at Redemptorist Retreat House, North Perth. Sessions on preaching, retirement, Internal Forum, Acolytes and training, Catechetics, Albany Aboriginal Hostel.

Bishop Mckeon announced he would vacate the “palace” to allow it to become the Parish House and would live temporarily in a flat at St John’s, then in a house on Spencer Street.

Special day of celebrations for WAY’79, WA Anniversary Year (150th).

Fr Ned Kenny appointed Vicar General

Completion of renovations and construction at the Catholic Youth Camp, Busselton