New Catholic Principals and Religious leaders formally commissioned in the Diocese of Sale

29 May 2023

A Mass was held to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Sale on Friday 19 May 2023 bringing together education leaders and clergy from across the Diocese.

Catholic Education Week, which runs from 19 May to 26 May 2023, is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Diocese to celebrate their Catholic Identity and showcase the inspiring activities that take place in Catholic schools every day.

The Mass was celebrated at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Traralgon and was led by the Catholic Bishop of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet with clergy from across the Diocese.

The Mass was also an occasion to welcome thirteen newly appointed Catholic School Principals, Religious Education Leaders and Catholic Identity and Mission Leaders in their school communities.

As a symbol of this leadership, a Missionary Cross was presented to each leader by Bishop Greg, assisted by the Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, Mr Paul Velten.

Newly appointed Principals:

Julian Blackford St Mary’s Primary School, Maffra

Felicity Broughton St Therese’s Primary School, Cranbourne North

Jo Coldebella St Joseph’s Primary School, Wonthaggi

Megan Escalante St Patrick’s Primary School, Pakenham

Lisa Parwata St Mary’s Primary School, Bairnsdale

From left: Mrs Felicity Broughton, Mrs Megan Escalante, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale - Mr Paul Velten, Catholic Bishop of Sale - Most Reverend Greg Bennet, Mrs Lisa Parwata and Mr Julian Blackford, (Jo Coldebella in absentia).

Newly appointed Religious Education Leaders

Tara Battista St Mary’s Primary School, Maffra

Nicole Buccilli St Joseph’s Primary School, Wonthaggi

Cameron Greenslade St Vincent de Paul Primary School, Morwell East

Alycia Matthews St John’s Primary School, Koo Wee Rup

Cory Monckton Immaculate Heart of Mary Primary School, Newborough

Tahlia O’Callaghan Don Bosco Primary School, Narre Warren

Anna Viney St Catherine’s Primary School, Berwick

From Left: Newly appointed Religious Education Leaders. Ms Nicole Buccilli, Mrs Tara Battista, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale - Mr Paul Velten, Catholic Bishop of Sale - Most Reverend Greg Bennet, Mr Cameron Greenslade. (Alycia Matthews, Cory Monckton, Anna Viney in absentia).

Newly appointed Catholic Identity and Mission Leaders

Nicole Dudman Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Leongatha

Jacinta Johnston Marist-Sion College, Warragul

From left: Newly appointed Catholic Identity and Mission Leaders Mrs Jacinta Johnston, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale – Mr Paul Velten, Catholic Bishop of Sale - Most Reverend Greg Bennet and Ms Nicole Dudman