This Sunday (22 May), Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will celebrate a special Mass to commemorate those who died during the COVID pandemic. In the lead-up to Sunday, individuals and parishes are invited to submit the name(s) of those they would like remembered during the Mass.

One of those who submitted names is Liz Winston, who sadly lost her parents during Victoria's COVID lockdowns. She graciously shared her story with us and is looking forward to this Sunday's Mass, saying ‘it can be the Mass that my mum didn’t have.’

Caring for those on their end-of-life journey is so important. Next week is National Palliative Care Week, and we hear from Lydia, whose mother experienced the incredible benefits of palliative care at VMCH's O'Neill House, which Archbishop Peter A Comensoli recently visited.

This week is also Laudato Si' Week: an opportunity to reflect upon Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical. If you haven't read the document before, we encourage you to do so, and we've provided you with three keys to reading it for all it's worth. Also, if you are interested in thinking more deeply about ecology—beyond the issues that are "the usual suspects"—we've gathered a short booklist for you to consider.

As part of our ongoing celebration of the Diocese's 175th anniversary, Professor Jaynie Anderson sat down with Melbourne Catholic to discuss part of the legacy of Melbourne's first bishop, James Alipius Goold, and his impressive art collection. There is much to celebrate this year, not least the contributions of the many immigrant communities that have enriched and helped shape the Church of Melbourne. In the first of a series celebrating these communities, we hear about the important contributions of Filipino Catholics over the years to our shared life of faith.

And in case you missed it, last weekend Pope Francis canonised 10 new saints—the first in over two years—and among them were four women, leaders of their time and founders of religious orders. Here are their stories, and just a glimpse into the profound influence they had.

Finally, last week we began our series looking at Marian devotions around the world. This week we travel to Asia to learn about Marian shrines in Vietnam, China and the Philippines. The stories never cease to amaze!
 
Archbishop Comensoli to celebrate Mass for those lost during COVID
In recognition of the significant impact of COVID on families and the local community, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will celebrate a memorial Mass on Sunday 22 May at St Patrick's Cathedral for all those who have died during the COVID pandemic and could not be mourned properly due to pandemic restrictions.
 
 
The Mass mum didn't have: Remembering those lost during the pandemic
In recognition of the significant impact of COVID-19 on families and the local community, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will celebrate a memorial Mass on Sunday 22 May at St Patrick’s Cathedral for all those who have died during the COVID pandemic and could not be mourned properly due to pandemic restrictions. For the family and friends of Patricia and Joseph Iles, who both died during COVID, the Mass will bring some comfort in knowing that their loved ones are being remembered and prayed for.
 
 
‘Sacred images’: Goold’s legacy of artistic treasures
The rich cultural and historical contribution of Melbourne’s first Catholic archbishop, James Alpius Goold (1812–1886), lives on as valuable artworks imported by the Augustinian missionary continue to be discovered across Australia. The latest is a painting currently housed in a Catholic secondary college in Brisbane that depicts St Thomas, which Goold had originally imported from Rome in the 1850s.
 
 
A culture of devotion: Filipino Catholics in Melbourne
As we approach the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, there is much to celebrate, not least the contributions of the many immigrant communities that have enriched and helped shape the Church of Melbourne. In the first of a series celebrating these communities, we hear about the important contributions of Filipino Catholics over the years to our shared life of faith.
 
 
Our Lady around the world (Part 2): Vietnam, China & the Philippines
During this month of May, we continue our look into different Marian devotions around the world, and the unique stories and miracles associated with them. This week we travel to Asia, exploring some of the special devotions that are personal to Vietnam, China and the Philippines.
 
 
3 keys to unlock Laudato Si'
How do we read Laudato Si' for all it's worth? How we do read it without the lens of modern political divisions? Here we discuss three basic keys to understanding Laudato Si' and getting the most out of it.
 
 
Beyond the slogans: 5 books to think deeply about ecology
Ecology is a divisive topic. But what we need more than anything is think more deeply, and more widely, about the issues involved. Here is a booklist that can guide us beyond the slogans of the day to a deeper understanding of the relationship between nature and human nature, culture and technology, the spiritual and the physical.
 
 
When family is everything: the end-of-life journey
National Palliative Care Week is celebrated from 22-28 May and is aimed at raising awareness and increasing understanding of the many benefits of palliative care. Lydia Sorensen shares the story of her mother's passing, and the immense comfort brought by O'Neill House's palliative care program.
 
 
Four new women canonised as saints by Pope Francis
On Sunday 15 May, Pope Francis proclaimed 10 new saints in what was the first canonisation Mass to take place in Rome after more than two years. Among them were four women who were leaders in their time and founders of religious congregations. Here, we take a look at their stories.
 
 
‘There were a lot of people that would have liked to attend the funeral, and they called to ask, but we had to say no. That was really difficult.’
 
 
Liz Winston
On the difficulty of losing her parents during the pandemic
 
Upcoming Events
 
Mass to commemorate those who have died during the COVID pandemic
Sunday 22 May 2022
11.00am–12.00pm
In recognition of the significant impact of COVID in our families and communities, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will celebrate a memorial Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 22 May for all those who have died during the COVID pandemic. This Mass will be offered for all the departed who ...
 
 
Eastern Region Mass for Young Adults
Sunday 22 May 2022
5.30pm–8.00pm
Get together with other young people from the local area for Mass, dinner, and a conversation with Fr Tony Kerin, Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Region. This will be an awesome opportunity to meet other young Catholics from across the South and share with Fr Tony your hopes, dreams, and ...
 
 
Northern Region Mass for Young Adults
Sunday 29 May 2022
5.30pm–7.30pm
Get together with other young people from the local area for Mass, dinner, and a conversation with Bishop Terry Curtin. This will be an awesome opportunity to meet other young Catholics from across the North and share with Bishop Curtin your hopes, dreams, and expectations for the future of the ...
 
 
Celebrating 50 Years of CTC: ‘How Do We Know Christ Now?’
Friday 17 June 2022
9.30am–12.30pm
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Catholic Theological College (CTC) is offering a free online conference focussed on the critical question: ‘How do we know Christ now?’. Explore how we know the same Christ more authentically and powerfully today through a special keynote presentation and workshops led by the CTC staff ...
 
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Workshop with Fr Elio Capra sdb
Saturday 18 June 2022
10.00am–3.30pm
Is your RCIA making disciples of your catechumens and candidates? After two years of pandemic, is it time for your parish RCIA practice to be reenergised and refreshed? Does your parish have a missionary culture of accompanying catechumens and candidates? Clergy, all parish RCIA team coordinators and members—emerging and experienced—and ...
 
 
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre open days
Saturday 18 June 2022
10.00am–4.00pm
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre (MMHC) East Melbourne a place of inspiration and vitality, manifests and promotes the spirit and charism of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. MMHC provides, through education, hospitality and charitable works, opportunities for all to experience and be challenged by ...
 
 
Ablaze Pentecost @ St Catherine's Caroline Springs
Sunday 5 June 2022
10.30am–2.30pm
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish in Caroline Springs invites the community to Ablaze Pentecost, a day of prayer, food and fellowship. The day will include Mass followed by lunch, adoration of the Blessed Sacraments and a prayer rally (with confession and prayer teams available during this time). Join the ...
 
 
The Outsider Pope: Where is Francis Leading Our Church?
Monday 11 July 2022
5.00pm–6.30pm
This latest Helder Camara lecture will feature The Tablet’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb. Founded in 1840, the weekly journal is a hugely influential voice amongst the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. Joining in 2009 from the Daily Telegraph, Christopher Lamb also appears regularly on TV news around the world. In his ...
 
 
NCEC Conference: The Future is Listening (Save the Date)
Sunday 4 September 2022, 10.00am
– Wednesday 7 September 2022, 5.00pm
The 2022 National Catholic Education Conference is taking place this September, and a limited number of Super Early Bird registrations are now available. The National Catholic Education Commission hosts a conference every four or five years in a major Australian city. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is proud to host ...
 
 
P.S. Before you go . . .
 
Fr Mike Schmitz: Life always has room for joy
The keynote speaker for last year's Good News Conference was Fr Mike Schmitz, and his talk was centred around the theme of joy: what it is, why it matters, and what joy gives witness to. It is a timely and powerful message.
 

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