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Seeing our lives as a gift

As we learn to see our whole lives as a gift, the small things that bring us joy—voices raised in song, a good belly laugh, a refreshing swim in the sea—take on a new significance, providing momentary glimpses of the abundant, peace-filled life God intends for all of us.

In this week’s stories, Fr Greg Trythall celebrates 1500 consecutive open-water Sunday swims and gives thanks for a weekly practice that has nourished and sustained him for almost 30 of his 47 years of priestly ministry.

Former professional comedian Fr Frankie Mulgrew tells the moving story of his journey to the priesthood and shares his strong conviction that God wants us to have joy.

Musicians Toby Whaleboat and Philip Mathias tell us how a shared love of the Christian musical traditions of the Torres Strait Islands have led not just to a fruitful musical collaboration but to an enduring friendship between the two men and their families.

And in his speech for the launch of the Australian bishops' Social Justice Statement for 2024–25, Associate Professor Joel Hodge suggests that in a world of division and conflict, seeing our lives as a gift—rather than as our own individual project—might help us find a path towards peace and truth.

Fr Greg Trythall celebrates 1500 consecutive Sunday swims

Fr Greg Trythall, parish priest of St Mary’s Williamstown, celebrated 1500 consecutive Sunday open water swims on 18 August. Parishioners, open-water swimming friends from the Williamstown Dolphins and onlookers applauded and cheered as Fr Greg tore through a special ‘1500’ banner before splashing into the cold waters of Port Phillip Bay.

Continue reading: Fr Greg Trythall celebrates 1500 consecutive Sunday swims

Fr Frankie Mulgrew: ‘God wants us to have joy’

Fr Frankie Mulgrew had a successful career as a full-time stand-up comedian when Jesus found a way into his heart and called him to the priesthood. While a comedian can take away someone’s troubles for an evening, as a priest, ‘you can take away their problems, worries and troubles, potentially, for the rest of their lives,’ he says. ‘God wants us to have joy.’

Continue reading: Fr Frankie Mulgrew: ‘God wants us to have joy’

‘Seeing our lives as a gift’: the path to truth and peace in a world of conflict

This year’s Social Justice Statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World, outlines a number of the dynamics that contribute to the current erosion of truth: competing truth claims, loss of authority and trust, the growth of social media, computing power and AI and the corporations who control them, bias, and a culture of individualism and self-promotion. In his speech for the statement's launch, Associate Professor Joel Hodge suggests that seeing our lives as a gift, rather than our own individual project, might help us find a path through this minefield towards peace and truth.

Continue reading: ‘Seeing our lives as a gift’: the path to truth and peace in a world of conflict

‘Singing our stories’: a conversation with Toby Whaleboat and Philip Matthias

Philip Matthias, Director of Music at St Patrick’s Cathedral, recently returned from time in the Torres Strait Islands with long-term friends in the community. His relationship with Toby Whaleboat has transformed the lives of both musicians and their extended families. We spoke with Philip and Toby about their deep connection through music-making, and how singing each other’s songs in community continues to build their strong friendship.

Continue reading: ‘Singing our stories’: a conversation with Toby Whaleboat and Philip Matthias

St Monica and the seeds of holiness

When Joe Doolan visited the ruins of the ancient port city of Ostia Antica last year and found himself standing near where St Monica died, memories of the prayerful witness of his own childhood parish of St Monica's in Moonee Ponds came flooding back. He reflects on how parish communities can—like St Monica—sow seeds of holiness in the lives of younger generations.

Continue reading: St Monica and the seeds of holiness

Vale Rev Prof Gerald (Gerry) O’Collins SJ AC

Following the death in Melbourne on Thursday 22 August of Prof Gerald O’Collins SJ AC (1931–2024), his colleagues at Catholic Theological College and the University of Divinity remember and mourn the passing not just of a churchman and scholar of international and national significance but of a pastor whose intelligence, humour and kindness endeared him to friends old and new.

Continue reading: Vale Rev Prof Gerald (Gerry) O’Collins SJ AC

‘The sea has nourished me with its beauty; it has greatly enhanced my health … God has answered my prayer that I would find something which would help me to retain enthusiasm in my own calling.’

Fr Greg Trythall

reflects on the gift of the sea, as he celebrates 1500 consecutive open-water Sunday swims

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Human Resources Partner, East Melbourne/Bendigo
Deputy Director, Proclaim: The Office for Mission Renewal, East Melbourne
TWG-Change Management Lead, East Melbourne
Library Manager—Mannix Library, East Melbourne

Parish positions

Parish Secretary, Sacred Heart Parish, Kew
Parish Secretary, St Dominic’s Parish, Camberwell East

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

Upcoming events

Benedetto Collective: Call for entries for Beholding Beauty art exhibition

Tuesday 20 August 2024
– Saturday 31 August 2024

The Benedetto Collective is calling for artwork submissions for its first exhibition, which will showcase work by local artists who strive to convey a sense of the True, the Good and the Beautiful. Submitted artwork does not need to be overtly religious but should bear witness to the dignity of ...