On 27 July 2026, the small coastal town of Triabunna became the site of a significant milestone for Tasmania, with the official opening of the state's first completed Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) project , delivering 36 new social and affordable homes to a community where housing need is real and growing. For CDF, it is a moment that reflects what partnership can achieve when organisations come together around a shared commitment to serving others. A partnership built on shared purpose

In 1956, a priest with a vision and a community with faith came together to solve a problem. Catholic schools across Melbourne were overflowing. Families were growing. Government funding for Catholic education was simply unavailable. And so Fr James Wall, later honoured with the title 'Father of the Funds', established what he called the Schools Provident Fund (SPF): a new way for the Catholic community to pool its resources, invest in its future, and care for one another. The very first school funded through that vision was Sacred Heart Parish Primary School in Preston, Victoria, which opened in 1957 and became an instant success, laying the framework for what would follow. The movement spread across Australia and New Zealand, growing from a solution for Catholic schools into a broader vehicle for funding parishes, hospitals, aged care and social services. Seventy years later, that vision is very much alive.

Catholic agency leaders are being urged to face a world of "brutal realities" with clear purpose, disciplined leadership and hope. At the recent CDF Catholic Connect workshop, leading economist Ivan Calhoun warned that AI, geopolitics, inflation and productivity pressures are reshaping the environment in which Catholic organisations operate. Insights from Leading Catholic Sector Voices Professor Elizabeth Labone – Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) Virginia Bourke – Chair, Mercy Health Martin Teulan – Chief Executive Officer, Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (AMPJP) John McClusky – Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Ivan Colhoun – Independent Economist

For some children, the classroom can feel overwhelming. Anxiety, trauma, learning challenges or difficult life experiences can make it hard to concentrate, participate or feel safe at school. For these students, reconnecting with learning often requires more than traditional support approaches. Since 2018, MacKillop Family Services’ Paw Pals program has quietly been helping students take meaningful steps forward, one gentle interaction at a time. Through the presence of specially trained therapy dogs and skilled facilitators, Paw Pals creates safe and supportive environments where children can regulate emotions, rebuild trust and re-engage with learning. For the past five years, CDF has proudly partnered with MacKillop Family Services to support the continued growth of this program across schools.

On Sunday 22 March 2026, the Catholic community in Albany gathered for a moment that had been generations in the making. St Joseph's Church, Albany was formally declared the first Diocesan Shrine for the Diocese of Bunbury - a recognition that affirms what so many in the community have long known: this is a place where faith endures, and where people come to seek hope. The Elevation Mass, celebrated by Bishop George Kolodziej SDS DD and led locally by Parish Priest Fr Vincent Comple OSJ, brought together clergy, pilgrims and visitors from across the diocese to mark the occasion. It was the culmination of a weekend of prayer, reflection and celebration that honoured both the history of the Church in Albany and the beginning of this new chapter. A weekend of prayer and pilgrimage The celebrations unfolded across three days. Friday opened with a Holy Hour and Mass celebrated by Bishop George. On Saturday, pilgrims walked through Albany retracing the history of the Catholic Church in the region, before gathering for Mass and fellowship. Sunday's Elevation Mass brought the weekend to a close, followed by a community celebration of this important milestone.

Media Release: Catholic Diocese of Ballarat The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat joyfully celebrated the ordination and installation of Fr Mark Freeman as the Ninth Bishop of Ballarat on Thursday 19 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat. The celebration brought together bishops, clergy, parish representatives, ecumenical guests, civic representatives, and members of the wider community to witness this significant moment in the life of the Church. The ordination and installation were led by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli with assisting bishops from all over Australia. In addition to around these 500 people packing St Patrick’s Cathedral, the ceremony was livestreamed to hundreds of people across the country.

In modern Australia, Catholic organisations are called to act with integrity in a pluralist society that may not always prioritise the same values. Their core objectives—be it education, healthcare, or community and social services - generally reflect that identity; the ‘back-end’ operations that sustain them, however, may be subject to forces that detract from mission. A recent CDF Catholic Connect workshop, hosted by Catholic Development Fund (CDF) in partnership with Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV), challenged leaders to look deeper into how policies and processes reflect the Catholic mission. The session, ‘Aligning Organisational Practices with Mission’, explored how Catholic Social Teaching can be intentionally embedded across core operations, from procurement and investment to hiring and governance. Lessons and Learnings with Industry Experts Four panel and workshop presenters brought strong sector experience and deep insight: Tarang Jain ( Modern Slavery Liason Officer / Group Procurement Lead ESG, St Vincent’s Health Australia ) Melissa Halliday ( Community Development Project Coordinator, ACRATH ) Dr John Ballard (Board Director Mercy Education and Catholic Development Fund / Leadership and Governance Consultant) Anna Brazier ( Climate Justice Coordinator, Jesuit Social Services )

Media Release: Catholic Diocese of Ballarat The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat marked the conclusion of a distinguished chapter of leadership, pastoral care and dedicated service to the community with a Mass of Thanksgiving on 2 March 2026 for Bishop Paul Bird as he retires as Bishop of Ballarat. Bishop Paul has served the Diocese of Ballarat since 2012. Upon turning 75, Bishops are requested to offer their resignations to the Pope. Bishop Paul turned 75 in 2024 and offered his resignation but was asked to stay on till a successor could be found. On January 7, 2026, Pope Leo appointed Fr Mark Freeman to be the new Bishop of Ballarat. At the same time, Pope Leo appointed Bishop Paul as Apostolic Administrator, to care for the diocese until Bishop Elect Mark is ordained and installed as the ninth Bishop of Ballarat on 19 March 2026.