A MEMORIAL mass for the late Tim Fischer has coincided with the first public appearance in the Wodonga Catholic parish by recently appointed Bishop Shane Mackinlay.
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Bishop Mackinlay, who was ordained less than 10 days ago, was the principal celebrant for the former Deputy Prime Minister's mass held at Sacred Heart church on Wednesday night.
He was joined by 13 other clergy including Apostolic Nuncio, the Most Reverend Adolfo Tito Yllana, and Monsignor Frank Marriott.
Archbishop Yllana officially presented Mr Fischer's wife Judy with the papal honour, the Order of St Gregory the Great, which was bestowed on Mr Fischer in the days leading up to his death in August in recognition of personal service to the Holy See and the Catholic Church.
Other presentations were made to the family by Aspire Foundation chairman Gordon McKern with Mr Fischer a patron of the organisation and a framed copy of the State Blessing was handed over by Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese Vicar General Tony Percy.
In accepting the presentations Ms Brewer said she had been overwhelmed by the support she had received following Mr Fischer's recent death.
"In the weeks since and indeed the months beforehand I've witnessed and been on the receiving end of so much kindness and generosity of spirit," she said.
"I thank everyone who has helped us through these past months and days.
"If I was to single out one person, which is very dangerous, is Monsignor Frank Marriott, who was there throughout so much of our time at Peter Mac (hospital).
"There has been so many things said about Tim in the past weeks and I have to admit they are all true.
"He was an extraordinary human being."
In his homily, Monsignor Marriott said Mr Fischer possessed a deep Catholic faith.
"He died holding his beloved Bible and is buried with his precious Mary MacKillop Cross," he said.
Mr Fischer's sons Dominic and Harrison delivered readings during the service which also included communion hymns Abide With Me, Mozart's Ave Verum and Schubert's Holy Holy and prayers of the faithful read by Ms Brewer's cousin and former Indi MP Cathy McGowan.
Bishop Mackinlay has replaced Bishop Les Tomlinson as the head of the Sandhurst Diocese after a seven-year stint in the role.
