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Not alone

Whatever challenges or setbacks we might experience in life, the relationships we foster, and the care we offer others, can make a huge difference. When we’re struggling, knowing that we are not alone can be an enormous source of hope and encouragement.

In this week’s news, Australia's new Cardinal-designate, Bishop Mykola Bychok, has had 'a very big week'. Expressing his deep gratitude for the support and prayers he has received, he wants us also to remember the people of Ukraine as they approach another cold and potentially devastating winter, reminding us that ‘the marginalised can never be forgotten’.

As we mark Anti-Poverty Week (13–19 October), we speak with our new Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Services, Fr John Petrulis, about his story and vocation, his commitment to those on the margins, and how we might best serve and accompany those who are struggling.

And we hear about the inaugural Song of This Land concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral, which recently brought our community together in song and to celebrate the many beautiful ways the Spirit leads us to express our faith in the One who is always with us.

Cardinal-designate Bychok’s ‘very big week’

Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, the Melbourne-based Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Sts Peter and Paul and the youngest of 21 new cardinals-designate recently announced by Pope Francis—has had what he described as ‘a very big week’. Speaking at a press conference at the Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in North Melbourne on Monday 14 October, Bishop Bychok—the pastor for Ukrainian Catholics throughout Australia, New Zealand and Oceania—explained that the announcement came as ‘a complete surprise’.

Continue reading: Cardinal-designate Bychok’s ‘very big week’

The heart of justice: new Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Services on faith, poverty and radical compassion

As we mark Anti-Poverty Week (13–19 October), we speak with the newly appointed Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Services, Fr John Petrulis, about his journey to this new role, what poverty and social justice mean to him and the ways we, as the Church, are uniquely placed to respond to poverty and marginalisation.

Continue reading: The heart of justice: new Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Services on faith, poverty and radical compassion

Faith hits a high note as cultures come together at Song of This Land concert

Every so often we are reminded of the rich tapestry of stories, traditions, cultures and expressions of faith that comprise Australia. The inaugural Song of This Land concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne on 13 October was a joyful, colourful, hope-filled expression of community and the various ways faith is expressed across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Continue reading: Faith hits a high note as cultures come together at Song of This Land concert

Synod begins looking at institutional changes to promote synodality

If members of the Synod of Bishops are serious about sharing their experience of ‘synodality’ with all members of the Catholic Church, then they must identify concrete ways to do so, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich told members. ‘If we keep this treasure only for ourselves, we transform it into a privilege’ rather than a service to the whole Church, Cardinal Hollerich, the synod Relator General, told members on 15 October as they began discussing the third and final part of the synod’s working document.

Continue reading: Synod begins looking at institutional changes to promote synodality

Mission is common goal of synod and ecumenism, Pope says

The Pope presided over a candlelight vigil on 11 October, the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962, and texts from council documents introduced the prayers of praise and the prayers of petition. The synod participants at the prayer service included the 16 ‘fraternal delegates’ representing Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches, as well as the Rome-based representatives of the Anglican, Methodist and Reformed churches to the Holy See and other Christian ministers and faithful in the city.

Continue reading: Mission is common goal of synod and ecumenism, Pope says

Young Hearts: creating bonds that transcend generations

An innovative intergenerational volunteering program is bridging the gap between generations and fostering a sense of family for young and old. A partnership between Catholic organisations VMCH and Mannix College, the Mannix Young Hearts program is creating opportunities to form meaningful relationships at a time when genuine connections can be rare in our busy, digital world.

Continue reading: Young Hearts: creating bonds that transcend generations

A crusade for peace: Melbourne men unite in prayer

Every first Saturday of the month, the sound of prayer fills the eastern courtyard of St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne, where a group of men gather united in their devotion to Our Lady and the Rosary. The men are a part of the global Men’s Rosary Crusade, a movement that is steadily growing in popularity in Australia and abroad.

Continue reading: A crusade for peace: Melbourne men unite in prayer

Statistically speaking: How Pope’s choices change College of Cardinals

Popes have made a habit of exceeding the statutory limit on the number of cardinals under the age of 80, but Pope Francis is planning to set a record. The Pope announced on 6 October that he would create 21 new cardinals on 8 December; fully 20 of the men named are under the age of 80 and would be eligible to enter a conclave to elect a pope. With one current member of the College of Cardinals—Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Porras Cardozo of Caracas—about to celebrate his 80th birthday, when the new cardinals are inducted into the college in December, there could be as many as 141 ‘cardinal electors’.

Continue reading: Statistically speaking: How Pope’s choices change College of Cardinals

A simple and substantial man: remembering St John XXIII

Angelo Roncalli, who became St John XXIII (1958–1963), was a simple man. Simple in the sense of being grounded in the soil and not in the cloud. Simple, too, in not knowing many things but in knowing a few things deeply. Simple in his tastes and his friends, and simple also in being faithful to the Gospel. But not simple in being naïve or unworldly. His wisdom did not come from books but from living close to the earth.

Continue reading: A simple and substantial man: remembering St John XXIII

Around our schools: artistic triumphs

Throughout Melbourne's Catholic schools, students embrace a broad range opportunities to develop and share their creative gifts. Here we celebrate three artistic triumphs—in literature, dance and painting—which were recently recognised with awards.

Continue reading: Around our schools: artistic triumphs

Committed to compassion: Bishop Timothy Norton SVD bound for Broome

On Monday 14 October, Pope Francis appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane, the Most Rev Timothy Norton SVD, to be the third Bishop of Broome. The Diocese of Broome is in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, in the far north of the state. Spanning 773,000 square kilometres (an area bigger than France), the diocese has a population of about 36,000 people—half of them Indigenous—spread across remote towns and isolated Indigenous communities. Broome was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1887 and became a diocese in 1966.

Continue reading: Committed to compassion: Bishop Timothy Norton SVD bound for Broome

New liturgical music survey puts the call out for participants

PhD Candidate Fiona Dyball from Charles Sturt University is offering a free music resource to Catholic parishes and schools in the Melbourne Archdiocese who participate in a new liturgical music survey. The short survey will help form a new and accessible music collection of responsorial psalms for prayer and liturgy across the liturgical year.

Continue reading: New liturgical music survey puts the call out for participants

‘Pay attention and let your heart be led. Ask questions like: “What if that was me? How would that affect me? How would I feel?” to create a spirit of compassion for those struggling. Because in our society, we suffer so much from a damaging, enclosing individualism that makes us lose our heart for our fellow citizens.’

New Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Services Fr John Petrulis

on how we can better accompany those experiencing poverty

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Communications Officer, East Melbourne
Human Resources Partner, East Melbourne
Human Resources Partner, Bendigo
Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, East Melbourne
Executive Assistant—Clergy Life and Ministry, East Melbourne
Care Coordinator—Clergy Life and Ministry, Fitzroy North
Administration Assistant—Marriage Tribunal
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV) Coordinator, Thornbury
Administration Officer—Property and Infrastructure, East Melbourne

Parish positions

Parish Secretary, Mary Help of Christians Parish, Altona
Parish Secretary, St Joseph Parish, Newport
Parish Secretary (temporary, 12-month maternity leave cover), Catholic Parish of Melton
Parish Secretary, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Bayswater

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

Upcoming events

Holiness for All: St Thérèse of Lisieux exhibition

Tuesday 1 October 2024
– Thursday 31 October 2024

Hosted at St Patrick's Cathedral, the Discalced Carmelites warmly invite you to an exhibition on the life of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a remarkable young women who, despite passing at the age of 24, left us with her 'little way’ to holiness. All are welcome! Learn more about this great ...