Hope in action

Hope is much more than just a private feeling. It is something that gives us momentum and direction, informing every part of our lives and drawing us together with others in prayer and service.

This week, with the announcement that we will be heading to the polls in a federal election on 3 May, the Australian Catholic bishops have released an election statement that links the Jubilee call to be 'pilgrims of hope' with our responsibility to help shape the nation's future by voting with compassion and conscience.

As part of our 'Hope does not disappoint' series, Mary Nolan AM—farmer, music lover and pioneering advocate for young people with brain injuries—shares her remarkable story of hope, faith and resilience, and her insights on the importance of being a good listener.

And we look back at the Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) national conference, which happened in Sydney last month—a valuable opportunity for social service leaders, advocates and supporters from across the nation to explore the theme 'Hope in Action' and the ways that Catholic Social Teaching can guide a more just and compassionate society.

Australian Bishops call Catholics to vote with conscience and compassion in Jubilee Year
With the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that Australians will go to the polls in a federal election on 3 May, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has released its election statement for 2025, calling on Catholics to engage deeply with their civic responsibilities during the election. The statement, titled Called to Bring Hope in the Year of Jubilee, urges the faithful to participate in shaping the nation’s future by voting with a well-formed conscience.
Hope does not disappoint
Faith, resilience and the fine art of listening: a conversation with Mary Nolan AM
Farmer, radiographer, carer, music-lover and really good listener, Mary Nolan AM credits her faith with guiding her through life’s challenges. Her commitment to social justice, exemplified by her advocacy for young people with brain injuries, has been unwavering.
Truth, peace and hope in action at CSSA national conference
Over two days from 19 to 20 March, more than 130 social service leaders, advocates and supporters from across the nation gathered in Sydney for the Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) National Conference. With the theme Hope in Action, the conference was an opportunity to discuss the urgent need for sustainable funding for social services and to explore how Catholic Social Teaching can guide a more just and compassionate society.
A resounding ‘yes’: Fiat 2025 unites Archdiocese in prayer for renewal
Last weekend, the Archdiocese of Melbourne once again hosted its annual Fiat: A Weekend of Prayer, uniting parishes, communities and individuals in reflection, prayer and devotion. The event, inspired by Mary’s wholehearted ‘yes’ to God’s mission at the Annunciation, provided a precious opportunity for Catholics across the Archdiocese to come together in communal prayer.
Pilgrim Places
Holy Trinity Church Queenscliff welcomes pilgrims to reflect on rich history and heritage
Queenscliff, the picturesque seaside location of Holy Trinity Church, the Archdiocese’s newest Pilgrim Place this Jubilee Year, has witnessed some extraordinary moments in Australia's history, including the first shot fired in World War I. Pilgrims can immerse themselves in this fascinating history when they visit Holy Trinity Church to pray, reflect and get their Jubilee passports stamped.
New program helps students, teachers and families build resilience to abuse
In response to a request from schools for help dealing with online and child-to-child sexual abuse, the MacKillop Institute has launched a new program to equip teachers for ‘brave’ conversations with their students. Power to Kids in Schools has already had positive feedback from MACS schools involved in the pilot program.
‘Crossing New Seas’ Oration highlights responsibility to welcome and protect
When international lawyer Emeritus Prof Gillian Triggs AC stepped up to the lectern at the inaugural Kildare Ministries Crossing New Seas Oration on 18 March 2025, she brought with her decades of experience in human rights law and refugee protection. Her message was urgent: we are facing a global displacement crisis of unprecedented scale, and our response must be one of shared responsibility, practical solutions and, above all, humanity and compassion.
Caritas Australia launches Myanmar earthquake appeal
Caritas Australia is appealing for donations to help its partners on the ground in Myanmar deal with a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck near the centre of the country on 28 March. It says its partners are assessing the situation and preparing a response to the humanitarian requirements, which are likely to include the provision of emergency shelter, food and other essentials, as well as psychosocial support.
Pope clears way for three new saints, including first from Papua New Guinea
Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonisations of three blesseds: a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea killed during World War II, a Venezuelan religious sister who dedicated her life to education and the poor, and an Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred during the Armenian genocide.
Prize for poetry open for new works on belonging
Entries are now open for Australia’s richest prize for a single poem, where Australia’s top and emerging poets compete for the $10,000 first prize. Now in its 13th year, the ACU Prize for Poetry is open to new works on the theme of Belonging, inspired by a quotation from St Teresa of Kolkata: ‘If we have no peace, we have forgotten that we belong to each other.’
‘I think it’s living with a deep respect for the other person—everyone’s got something to offer. Listening, we can help one another discover what’s deep in us.’
Mary Nolan
on the important role that listening has played in her life, faith and groundbreaking advocacy for young people with brain injuries
Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

  • Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV) Coordinator, Thornbury
  • Personal Assistant to the Vicar General, East Melbourne

Parish positions

  • Parish Secretary, St Mary's Parish, Castlemaine
  • Parish Secretary, St Martin of Tours Parish, Macleod/Rosanna

Other

  • Part-Time Chef (two roles), Newman College, Parkville
  • Relationship Support Officer, CDF, East Melbourne

If you are interested in applying for any of the above positions, further details can be found here.

Upcoming events
Mannix Library Book Sale
Friday 28 March 2025
– Friday 11 April 2025
Calling all bookworms! Mannix Library is back with another book sale, and this time there are some really special items for sale. The book sale has introduced a new book type called ‘folio treasures’. These are larger books that can grace your coffee table, have pride of place on a ...
Divine Mercy Shrine: prayers to mark 20th anniversary of death of St John Paul II
Wednesday 2 April 2025
7.00am–7.00pm
To mark the 20 years since the passing of St John Paul II, a special anniversary event will occur at the Divine Mercy Shrine. For many, this special anniversary is a time to reflect, give thanks and return to his words and teachings with their profound message of love, faith ...
Six30 Holy Hour
Thursday 24 April 2025 6.30pm –7.30pm
Join with young Catholics from across the city for a time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, music and an opportunity for confession. Please note that Six30 Holy Hour will not take place this Thursday, 17 April due to Holy Thursday services at St Patrick’s Cathedral and that various venues ...
Celebrity Organ Recital, Featuring Johann Vexo
Friday 4 April 2025
6.00pm–7.15pm
Following a highly successful concert event in 2023, globally acclaimed organist Johann Vexo (former organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris) returns to St Patrick’s Cathedral for another dazzling program. Vexo has performed extensively throughout Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and has recorded several CDs ...
Faith and Culture Sessions: ‘Understanding the Mass’ with Christopher Carstens
Saturday 5 April 2025
10.00am–12.00pm
Editor of the Adoremus Bulletin, Christopher Carstens writes and speaks on liturgical worship in the Catholic Church. His session will explore how the Mass and sacraments can draw us deeper into communion with God, emphasising the beauty and reverence of the Church’s liturgical life. The Faith and Culture Sessions offer ...
Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers
Sunday 6 April 2025
11.00am–12.00pm
‘You are a treasure for the Church, for society, for the people, because you are witnesses of God’s tenderness for the sick and suffering.’—Pope Francis, ‘Address to Healthcare Workers’, 2016 A Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers will be celebrated by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli at ...
Sisters of Saint Joseph Retreat: Authentically Human, Happy and Holy, as Jesus Was
Thursday 10 April 2025
– Sunday 13 April 2025
Guided by Virginia Bourke RSJ, this guided four-day retreat seeks to deepen participants’ awareness of their God-seeded identity as human beings and their appreciation of God’s Self-Revealing in the experiences of their lives. There will be a focus on living humanity as Jesus did. Sessions will be varied, with group ...
The Primacy of St Peter: A New Work by Composer Conrad Helfrich
Thursday 10 April 2025
7.00pm–8.30pm
A profound musical experience, performed by an esteemed 25-voice ensemble featuring some of Melbourne’s best singers, including ​members of Chorus Ecclesiae. Aria award winner Conrad Helfrich, composer and director of music at St Peter’s Church, Toorak, presents The Primacy of St Peter—Part One, an original a cappella choral composition sung ...
Beyond the Vows: A One-Day Marriage Retreat
Saturday 12 April 2025
9.45am–5.00pm
Your marriage doesn’t need to be in crisis to deserve attention. Set aside a day to reaffirm your vows, deepen in intimacy and draw nearer to God. Beyond the Vows is a one-day Catholic marriage retreat designed to help couples navigate life and draw closer together. Sponsored by the Vocations ...
Faith and Culture Sessions: ‘Why Be Catholic?’ with Jason Evert
Saturday 12 April 2025
10.00am–12.00pm
Jason Evert is the founder of the Chastity Project, promoting God’s plan for love and relationships. He’s spoken worldwide to audiences of all ages, offering practical insights on living out the faith. In his talk, he’ll examine some of the core reasons for embracing Catholicism in a modern world. The ...
Holy Week and Easter at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Thursday 17 April 2025, 7.30pm
– Sunday 20 April 2025, 8.00pm
All are welcome to St Patrick’s Cathedral for this year’s Holy Week and Easter liturgies, some of which will be broadcast to TV and livestreamed for those unable to attend: Holy Thursday (17 April): 7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper* Good Friday (18 April): Stations of the Cross (in Cathedral) ...
Mary Glowrey Museum Open Day
Wednesday 16 April 2025
10.00am–3.00pm
Visit the Mary Glowrey Museum in Fitzroy to learn more about the life and legacy of Australian-born medical missionary in India and Servant of God Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ. Mary Glowrey is one of two Australians currently being officially considered for sainthood. She was the first president of the ...
‘Can a scientist believe in God?’ presented by Rev Dr Christopher Mulherin
Monday 12 May 2025
7.00pm–8.30pm
Many people say (or fear?) that God and science don’t mix. In faith-based schools, 60 per cent of secondary students say Christianity and science conflict. This introduction to the ‘conflict myth’—which is eligible for maintaining accreditation in Catholic schools in Victoria and Queensland—offers some clues about how to understand the ...
‘60 Years since Vatican II—Pope Francis, Synodality and the Jubilee Year of Hope’ presented by Rev Dr Max Vodola
Tuesday 13 May 2025
7.00pm–8.30pm
This session will explore some of the key insights of Vatican II, which concluded 60 years ago in 1965. The council renewed the Church in order to focus on liturgical reform, the role of the laity in the mission of the Church and the important work of ecumenism and social ...

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities, visit the Melbourne Catholic events page.

This newsletter is published by the Communications Office
of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

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