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Hope in the wilderness

True hope is not surface optimism, a ‘look-on-the-bright-side’ attitude that refuses to look real suffering in the face. As we embark on the journey of Lent, we are reminded that a hope forged in the wilderness—in the hardest and most testing of circumstances—can truly sustain us in our lives and mission.

On Sunday, almost 350 people claimed just this kind of deep, sustaining hope for themselves as they took the next step in their journey of Christian initiation at the Rite of Election at St Patrick’s Cathedral. We hear some of their inspiring stories.

Leaders and professionals from a range of Catholic agencies and organisations came together on Thursday to hear three inspirational women leaders discuss what it means to lead with hope in uncertain times.

And to mark the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering, which took place over the weekend, we hear from one volunteer teacher about her time in Timor Leste, where she gained far more than she could give and learnt about the power of simply being present to people in all the challenging and joyful circumstances of their lives.

Almost 350 ‘welcomed home’ at Rite of Election 2025

A palpable sense of celebration and joy filled St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday afternoon as a vibrant mix of people from rural, inner-city and suburban parishes came together at this year's Rite of Election. ‘This house of God is your home and I want you to know that, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli told almost 350 candidates and catechumens as they embarked on the final leg of their journey to receive the sacraments of initiation.

Continue reading: Almost 350 ‘welcomed home’ at Rite of Election 2025

‘The wind in your sail’: women leaders on nurturing hope in uncertain times

Hope is more than a feeling—it is a responsibility, an active force that leaders must hold and foster for themselves and others. This was the central message from a panel discussion on ‘Leading with Hope’ hosted by Catholic Development Fund (CDF) and Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) on 6 March 2025. The event, held in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, explored the ways leaders can cultivate and sustain hope, even in times of deep uncertainty, crisis and change.

Continue reading: ‘The wind in your sail’: women leaders on nurturing hope in uncertain times

Lessons beyond the classroom: a volunteer’s experience in Timor Leste

Having just celebrated the Jubilee of the World of Volunteers over the weekend, we hear from local writer Kerri Lee about her experience as a volunteer teacher in Timor Leste last year. She writes of the immense privilege of serving in this way, and how sometimes just being present can be the thing that makes all the difference—for the teach as well as the students.

Continue reading: Lessons beyond the classroom: a volunteer’s experience in Timor Leste

Mothers seek to restore families through the power of prayer

An international movement of mothers centred on Marian devotion and united in a mission to intercede for their families is quietly growing in Australia. Dedicated to the restoration of families through the transformative power of prayer, Mothers Who Pray for Their Children is guiding mothers to grow spiritually and embrace their vocation as intercessors.

Continue reading: Mothers seek to restore families through the power of prayer

Pope Prayer Video

Pope prays for wounded families, says forgiveness renews hope, healing

The best medicine to heal the pain of a wounded family is forgiveness, Pope Francis said. ‘Forgiveness always renews the family, making it look forward with hope,’ the Pope said in a video message to present his prayer intention for the month of March, ‘For families in crisis’. In the video, which was recorded weeks before his hospitalisation on 14 February and released on 4 March, the Pope reminds us that ‘Forgiveness means giving another chance. God does this with us all the time. God’s patience is infinite. He forgives us, lifts us up, gives us a new start.’

Continue reading: Pope prays for wounded families, says forgiveness renews hope, healing

Aid to the Church in Need calls for intense prayer for Syria amid violence and uncertainty

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has called for prayer and expressed its deep concern over the escalating violence in Syria, particularly in the coastal region, where hundreds of civilians have fallen victim to indiscriminate attacks. The situation has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for the people of Syria, including for Christian communities, who have already suffered greatly over the past decade.

Continue reading: Aid to the Church in Need calls for intense prayer for Syria amid violence and uncertainty

Clean water reaches almost 150,000 in Vietnam, but more help is needed

Jesuit Mission Australia, in partnership with the Vietnam Province of the Society of Jesus, is providing safe, affordable drinking water and hope to thousands of vulnerable families in Central Vietnam.

Continue reading: Clean water reaches almost 150,000 in Vietnam, but more help is needed

‘ I don’t think you can be a leader if you don’t have hope. I think the two are absolutely woven together. Hope is the wind in your sail—it’s what carries you forward.’

Annie Carrett, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Melbourne

on what it means to lead with hope in uncertain times

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Personal Assistant to the Vicar General, East Melbourne
HR Officer, East Melbourne

Parish positions

Parish Secretary, Catholic Parishes of Yarraville and Kingsville
Pastoral Associate (Outreach), St Dominic’s Parish, Camberwell East

Other

Community Engagement 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

Monday 10 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 ...