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Dreams and visions

‘I shall pour out my spirit on all humanity,’ we hear in the Book of Joel. ‘Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old people shall dream dreams and your young people see visions.’ God's inspiring message of hope is one that encompasses every stage of life.

Having just celebrated the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, we hear about an exciting new initiative designed to help close the generation gap. The Generations of Value program is giving Catholic school children a new appreciation of the contributions of older generations, while inspiring a new sense of connection and purpose in older people.

As he embarks on a new stage of his journey with God, Fr John Vespa—ordained just a month ago by Pope Leo XIV in Rome—was surrounded by about 800 well-wishers from across Melbourne at a thanksgiving Mass at St Mary's Parish, Greensborough, a community that has loved and supported him since childhood.

And as the special Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers concludes today in Rome as part of the Jubilee of Young People taking place this week, we hear how 21st-century friar and Catholic influencer Fr Casey Cole OFM is using TikTok, YouTube and Instagram to reach more than half a million people (and counting) with a powerful message of hope.

New school program helps bridge generation gap

The Generations of Value program helps children appreciate the contributions of older generations, while inspiring older people to maintain connection and purpose in their lives. Inspired by Stanford University’s New Map of Life, it counters myths about ageing and emphasises lifelong learning. By fostering mutual respect between young and old, the program strengthens communities and intergenerational bonds.

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Digital missionary and Catholic influencer Fr Casey Cole OFM

This week, Rome is hosting the first ever gathering for Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers, as part of the Jubilee of Youth. One Catholic influencer who was recently in Australia is American priest, author and digital missionary Fr Casey Cole OFM. Fr Casey says people were initially confused about seeing a friar on the internet, but since starting his ‘evangelising and catechising through YouTube, Instagram and TikTok’, he has amassed a following of more than half a million (and counting).

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Grafted to God: community gathers at thanksgiving Mass for Fr John Vespa

‘I thank God for this day and for my vocation,’ said the newly ordained Fr John Vespa to a crowd of about 800 at the thanksgiving Mass held at his childhood parish of St Mary’s Greensborough on Sunday 27 July, just a month after he was one of 32 men ordained to the priesthood by Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Basilica. Preaching at the Mass, Bishop of Sale and old friend of the Vespa family Bishop Greg Bennet told Fr Vespa he had been grafted to God. ‘This is the graft of love—your life, your gifts, your faith—given now for others.’

Continue reading: Grafted to God: community gathers at thanksgiving Mass for Fr John Vespa

Hyper-Catholic: praying with ADHD

Having been diagnosed with ADHD in her forties, Kate Moriarty reflects on what it means to be an ADHD Catholic. ‘I’m running a different operating system from Standard Brain 1.0, with some features outperforming others,’ she writes. And while a long homily sends her into paroxysms of restlessness, and abandoned planner notebooks litter her home, she is learning to embrace her ‘authentic, oddball, exuberant self.’

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God’s feast: a eucharistic spin on an ancient story

As we celebrate the feast day of Sts Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Christian Bergmann reflects on the important place of feasting and hospitality in Hebrew culture—going back to the story in Genesis where Sarah and Abraham entertain three mysterious strangers—and on how, in his unexpected response to Mary and Martha, Jesus puts a eucharistic spin on an ancient tradition.

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Pilgrim Places

St Patrick’s Mentone: a pilgrim place of architectural and spiritual significance

St Patrick’s Church in Mentone—one of our designated pilgrim places for the 2025 Jubilee of Hope—combines rich spiritual traditions, striking mid-century architecture and a welcoming community, offering a meaningful destination for pilgrims seeking reflection and renewal. We chatted with parish priest Fr Justin Ford about all the things that make this bayside parish so special, from its stunning stained-glass windows by renown French artist Gabriel Loire to the quiet faithfulness of its parishioners.

Continue reading: St Patrick’s Mentone: a pilgrim place of architectural and spiritual significance

‘Don’t keep it just for yourselves’: more than half a million young people gather for the Jubilee of Young People

Let the Jubilee of Youth be more than an event for making memories and sharing pictures; be sure to encounter Christ and share the Good News, Pope Leo XIV told a group from Peru as more than half a million young people from 146 countries gather in Rome for the Jubilee of Young People, the largest event of the Holy Year so far.

Continue reading: ‘Don’t keep it just for yourselves’: more than half a million young people gather for the Jubilee of Young People

‘Young people are not trusting of institutions. So if you go in and say, “Join the Church, it’s 2,000 years old” and “Look at these great structures,” you’re not going to reach anyone. But if you can say, “Hey, look at our radical saints who have bucked the times and stood up against injustice,” then you’re going to reach people in a different way.’

Digital missionary and Catholic influencer Fr Casey Cole OFM

on how the Church can connect more meaningfully with young people

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Archdiocese of Melbourne

Payroll Support Officer, East Melbourne
Development Operations Manager, East Melbourne
Events Coordinator, East Melbourne
Real Estate Advisor/Transaction Manager

Parishes

Pastoral Care, Community Development and Funeral Coordinator, Holy Trinity Parish, Bentleigh
Outreach, Faith Formation and Volunteers’ Programs Coordinator, Holy Trinity Parish, Bentleigh
Liturgy, Sacraments and Safeguarding Coordinator Holy Trinity Parish, Bentleigh

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

Upcoming events

Six30 Holy Hour

Thursday 13 February 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 various venues will be used for Six30 Holy Hour throughout 2025. Please check venue details each week on the Events page of Melbourne Catholic ...