The Mariana Community is a group of lay women who have recognised and responded to Christ’s invitation to live a consecrated life in and for the world. Inspired by Mary, St Vincent Pallotti and others, we live with a firm commitment to act with love, guided by the following Spirit Statement:

Mariana women, inspired by the discipleship of Mary, Pallotti and others, live lives of love in and for the world - acting justly, loving tenderly, and walking humbly with our God, as we respond to the call to transform all of creation.

After a formation time we have a Consecration Ceremony at which we pledge to live loving God and others with the help of the promises of chastity, poverty and obedience according to the Mariana way of life. The individuals’ giftedness influences the way each member takes responsibility for putting this commitment into practice.

Since our beginnings in 1957, we have been a small group of women who continue to develop an understanding of living as single consecrated women within the Church and in society. We support each other through our prayer life, our liturgical celebrations, our gatherings, ongoing formation and connectedness - both formally and informally - within the everyday. We are committed to implementing Laudato si in our homes and lives.

Individually, members are responsible for their own finances, employment, living arrangements, and retirement. Members have followed a range of occupations always endeavouring to witness to the love of God in all spheres of their lives. We have reached the stage where no members of our Community are still in the paid workforce.

There are members in two states of Australia. Most of us however live in and around Melbourne. We are part of day-to-day Australian society sharing in responding to the many issues that impact our lives. The Mariana Community is an autonomous member body of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Family) and so has worldwide links.

For further information please write to:

Mariana Community
31a Gooch Street, Thornbury Vic 3071
or phone Cheryl Sullivan on 0417 386 706

St. Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850), recognizing the problems and potentials of the Church of his time (1835), called for a renewal of faith and re-enkindling of love and hope of the faithful for a new apostolate of all the baptized in the Union of Catholic Apostolate (UAC).

The priests and brothers of this Union he called together in a community (1846) now known as "Society of the Catholic Apostolate" (SAC), with more than 2000 members all over the world.

St. Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome, 21st April 1795. Ordained priest on the 16th of May, 1818.

On the 4th of April 1835 he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate, bringing together priests, men and women religious, and lay people; united as a faith community for the common purpose of living and spreading the Good News.

In 1846 he formed a community of priests and brothers now known as the Society of the Catholic Apostolate.

He died on the 22nd of January 1850 at the centre of his new community, the church of San Salvatore in Onda, Rome.

He was beatified by Pius XlI on the 22nd of January 1950, and proclaimed a Saint by John XXIII, 20th January 1963.

St. Vincent Pallotti gave special emphasis to the fact that every Christian has from Jesus a mission for the Church and for the world. He was aware that the bishops, priests, and religious alone cannot carry total responsibility for evangelization. Lay people, too, have the obligation and the right to actively participate in the mission of the Church.

This concept was new at the time of Vincent Pallotti, and to implement it he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate. He meant this Union to be an association of priests, religious, and lay people who together would strive to awaken in all a consciousness of their call to the apostate of Jesus Christ. Moreover, they are called to bring this consciousness to all parts of the world.

Pope Paul VI said that Pallotti teaches us "to respect the vocation of lay Christians by providing adequate opportunity for its mature development".

Pope John Paul II, speaking to the Pallottine Family in 1986, called on all members to "continue to multiply your commitment so that what Vincent Pallotti prophetically announced, and the Second Vatican Council authoritatively confirmed, might become a happy reality, and that all Christians might become authentic apostles of Christ in the Church and the world!"

Pallottine Priests and Brothers came to Australia from the German Province in 1901 to pastor to the Aboriginal people of Beagle Bay Mission in the Kimberley.

From there they spread to other missions and parishes in Western Australia and eventually to the Eastern States of Australia.

Click here for present locations of Australian Pallottine communities.

Saint Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850) recognizing the problems and potentials of the Church of his time (1835), called for a renewal of faith and re-enkindling of love and hope of the faithful for a new apostolate of all the baptized in the Union of Catholic Apostolate (UAC).

The priests and brothers of this Union he called together in a community (1846) now known as "Society of the Catholic Apostolate" (SAC), with more than 2000 members all over the world.

1. Pallottine Aboriginal Scholarships are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as defined in Australian legislation, who are living and studying in Western Australia. They are granted irrespective of religious affiliation.
   
   
2. Scholarships are available for post-secondary study only – whether in vocational, academic, cultural, religious, sporting or some allied discipline. All courses must be carried out at or through an approved educational institution.
   
   
3. Applications are invited annually. Note that there is a separate form for first time applicants and on-going applicants. Forms and supporting documentation must be mailed to arrive by 30 Sep.
   They are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee established by the Trustees. This Committee is made up of Aboriginal people who reflect a balance of geographical areas, as well as a balance of gender and experience in education.
   
   
4. Grants are for a calendar year only, following which a new application must be made.
   
   
5. Successful students are expected to provide evidence of progress through the year. Semester II fee payments will only be made following receipt of a Semester I report.
   
   
6. Grants will be available for a maximum of three years, not necessarily consecutive (in the case of university students this is meant to cover completion of their first degree).
   
   
7. For successful applicants the Trust will pay applicable course fees only. Payment will be made directly to their educational Institute (thus eliminating any future HECS debt).
   
   
8. Application forms can be downloaded here. Applications close on 30th Sep. each year. Results are usually advised in Jan/Feb the following year, once confirmation is received from their Institute that the applicant has been accepted and fees estimated.
   
   If you have not applied in previous years, please pdf click here to download the application form for FIRST TIME applicants.
   
   If you applied in previous years, please pdf click here to download the application form for REPEAT applicants.
   
   
9. An annual Presentation Ceremony is customarily held in Perth in March/April to which students and families are invited. Attendance is a condition of the grant.
   
   
10. The number of scholarships awarded depends on interest available from the Trust’s capital deposit. Except in exceptional circumstances all grants will be allocated for a full 12 months.
    
    
11. The Trustees retain the right to withdraw a Grant. Their decision in the allocation of scholarships is final.

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The Pallottines came to Australia in 1901 specifically to work with Aboriginal people. At this time, the Pallottine Centre in Rossmoyne (a Perth suburb) was opened. This was a hostel where Aboriginal people lived whilst studying at various secondary and post secondary educational establishments in Perth.

In the 1990's, when the Pallottines could no longer staff a hostel for Aboriginal secondary students at Rossmoyne and the need for such a facility was no longer pressing, the Pallottines sold some of the land on which this facility was built. $1,200,000 came from the sale of land. Though the land was bought with their own resources, the Pallottines wished to continue their work with indigenous people in a collaborative manner. They wished to encourage positive interaction between indigenous and non-indigenous people. A substantial amount of the money obtained from the sale of the land was put towards a scholarship scheme.

A legal document was drawn up to cover the operation of the scholarship project. This document was drawn up in such a way that people who wished to contribute to the fund would receive tax concessions.

The committee at the time wrote letters to individuals and organisations that had some interest in the Pallottine Centre and the outreach to the Aboriginal community. As result of this appeal, a further $51,400 was added to the fund by way of donations by organisations and individuals.

The Regional Council of the Pallottines still administer the fund today. They decide where the money can be safely invested and yet maximise returns. Scholarships are funded from the annual interest earned, thereby preserving the capital value of the fund. The annual interest is allocated to the scholarship trust for the payment of tuition fees of Aboriginal people engaged in post secondary studies.

In the first year of operation $33,000 was allocated. The numbers of applicants and the amount of monies distributed has grown significantly since it's inception.

The Pallottine Regional Council appoints six people who form the Pallottine Aboriginal Scholarship Trust Committee. This committee determines the successful applicants. Three of the committee are Aboriginal people with background in various area of the state and three are Pallottines who have had years of experience in working with Aboriginal people. In choosing the three Aboriginal people the Council endeavours to balance gender and regional representation. The committee is appointed for a three year period.

The Pallottine Aboriginal Scholarship Trust provides scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people who wish to undertake post secondary education. Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover the course fees that is paid directly to the educational institution.

The Union of the Catholic Apostolate was founded by St Vincent Pallotti. In 1835 he called all to be apostles whether one was a lay person, a priest, sister or brother to work for the mission of Jesus in the Church for the world. The spirituality of the Union was the same for everyone without distinction while being appropriate to their way of life. The purpose of formation was to awaken and equip all to work together in equal dignity in the service of God and neighbor. After initial opposition, Pallotti’s vision was vindicated by the Second Vatican Council and received official approbation from Rome in 2008, not only for Rome but for the whole Church. Each country where Pallottines work has a National Coordination Council which encourages apostolic ventures. In Australia we have two local groups: in Perth and in Melbourne from where the formation team operates.

The Formation Team:

Fr Pat Jackson SAC (Formation Coordinator) and Mrs Lorraine McCarthy (Formation Assistant)
The Office of Formation is at St Christopher’s Parish, 5 Doon Ave, Syndal 3150.
Telephone: 9802 8538. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Formation programmes dealing with St Vincent’s spirituality:

• A parish mission on his basic message;
• six booklets on Vincent’s spirituality adapted for small groups;
• various formation readings such as “Apostles for Today”, the UAC Newsletter from Rome and our Australian “Pallottine Family Newsletter” published by Merle Gilbo.

Lorraine McCarthy complements Pallotti’s vision with such courses as:

• a variety of day or weekend retreat programs
• the Called and Gifted Workshop,
• the Alpha Evangelisation Course & Marriage Preparation Courses
• Bible Studies.

Lorraine is available to assist your Parish or group with the programs above.

Contact us in regard to your faith formation and apostolic needs and we will respond as best we can.

Fr Pat Jackson SAC and Lorraine McCarthy

Telephone: 9802 8538
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The UAC offers scholarships/study grants to enable lay people to further their understanding and skills in leadership/ministry or a specialised activity which is consistent with UAC aims and objectives.

There are many opportunities to help as a lay volunteer within the Pallottine community. 

Some of the outreaches that volunteers are needed for include:

• Family Camps, at Millgrove on the Mountain
• Prayer Guide Formation for Laity in Parishes
• Small Community and Spirituality Groups
• Parish Mission Outreach
• Pallotti College Retreats and Conferences
• Casa Pallotti Youth Camps and Leadership Training

If you would like to assist as a volunteer or would like to find out more, please contact us.

Contact:
Fr Pat Jackson SAC

Phone: +61 3 9853 8506

Address:
Pallottine Community
85 Studley Park Road
Kew VIC 3101

If you would like to find out more about the Pallottine Family in Australia or would like to join us in our daily call to love, please contact us.