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An unbreakable love

The community of God is bound together by the love of Christ—a love so strong that it cannot be broken or overcome, even by death.

In this week’s news, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli reflects on the ancient practice of praying for the faithful departed, reminding us that our prayers for the dead are an act of hope and a sign of our enduring communion with them.

During an eventful week in Rome, Pope Francis—in Dilexit nos, his new encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus—encouraged the Church to put its trust in the saving love of Christ, and the Synod of Bishops concluded with the approval and release of its final document, as Pope Francis called the people of God to journey together with Christ, ‘behind him and alongside him’.

And we hear how the Catechism of the Good Shepherd, a beautiful, gentle ministry for children, is making space for small people across Melbourne to discover the love of Jesus and to have living encounters with the Living God.

Archbishop Comensoli: praying for the faithful departed

As we approach November, the month of remembrance, and continue journeying through this Year of Prayer, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli offers some thoughts on the profound consolation and experience of communion to be found in the practice of praying for the faithful departed.

Continue reading: Archbishop Comensoli: praying for the faithful departed

Pope warns against becoming a ‘sedentary’ Church after synod’s close

Three years after he asked the world’s Catholics to walk together in faith on a synodal journey, Pope Francis said in his homily during the closing Mass for the Synod of Bishops in St Peter’s Basilica on 27 October that the Church cannot risk becoming ‘static’ but must continue as a ‘missionary Church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world’.

Continue reading: Pope warns against becoming a ‘sedentary’ Church after synod’s close

‘Something new is growing’: final synod document calls for greater participation and transparency

In a milestone moment for the Catholic Church, the Synod on Synodality concluded its 2024 assembly with a call for renewal and inclusivity across the global Catholic community. The final document, approved on 26 October, said parishes and dioceses must move quickly to give life to the consultative bodies and broad participation in mission and ministry already foreseen by Church law if the Catholic Church is to have any hope of becoming a more ‘synodal’ Church.

Continue reading: ‘Something new is growing’: final synod document calls for greater participation and transparency

Only love will save humanity, Pope says in encyclical on Sacred Heart

A world that has become ‘heartless’ and indifferent to greed and war, and a Catholic Church in need of revitalising its missionary joy need to open themselves up to Christ’s infinite love, Pope Francis writes in his new encyclical, Dilexit nos (He loved us): on the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ.

Continue reading: Only love will save humanity, Pope says in encyclical on Sacred Heart

Shepherd’s delight: making space for children to encounter the Living God

Have you ever visited a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium? There are currently five across Melbourne. You will see shelves at child height filled with trays and wooden chests, baskets of small, rolled-up mats, little chairs and tables. Your nose will fill with the smell of sharpened pencils, of fresh garden flowers, of candlewax and clean tea towels. You may see hand-painted wooden figures; a shepherd and a sheepfold; a set of miniature chasubles in purple, green, red and white. And, if you pay attention, you will feel the peace of this place where children come to have a living encounter with the Living God.

Continue reading: Shepherd’s delight: making space for children to encounter the Living God

ACU honours Joe de Bruyn with honorary doctorate

Australian Catholic University (ACU) has awarded an honorary doctorate to prominent trade unionist Mr Joe de Bruyn AO, who received the the honour for his outstanding contributions to the Catholic Church in Australia, his promotion of liberal arts education and ‘a lifetime of serving and representing the interests of Australian workers’. In his speech at the graduation ceremony, Mr de Bruyn acknowledged the challenges of maintaining one’s faith in an increasingly secular society, but encouraged Catholics to view these challenges as opportunities for witness and dialogue.

Continue reading: ACU honours Joe de Bruyn with honorary doctorate

‘Where Christ plays’: on what it means to be a Catholic school

Following the response to last week’s story about Sr Mary Sarah Galbraith’s presentation on what it means to be a Catholic school, delivered at the final MCP luncheon for 2024, we are pleased to share with you an abridged version of Sr Mary Sarah’s inspiring speech.

Continue reading: ‘Where Christ plays’: on what it means to be a Catholic school

Bridging faith and therapy: Dr Greg Bottaro’s vision for Catholic psychology

Last month, at Melbourne’s Cardinal Knox Centre, Catholic psychologist and founder of the CatholicPsych Institute Dr Greg Bottaro delivered a compelling talk that explored the intersection of faith, science, psychology and human dignity, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to faith and science. ‘The Catholic faith gives us the foundation for understanding the human person,’ Dr Bottaro said, ‘and then we bring in the science.’

Continue reading: Bridging faith and therapy: Dr Greg Bottaro’s vision for Catholic psychology

Pope Francis bids farewell to Fr Gustavo Gutiérrez: ‘a great man, a man of the Church’

Pope Francis sent a video message to the Archdioceses of Lima for the funeral of Fr Gustavo Gutiérrez, known as the ‘father of liberation theology’, on 24 October. ‘Today I am thinking of Gustavo,’ the Pope said, calling him ‘a great man, a man of the Church’.

Continue reading: Pope Francis bids farewell to Fr Gustavo Gutiérrez: ‘a great man, a man of the Church’

Vatican statistics show decline in baptisms, clergy, religious, worldwide

The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2022, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms declined, according to Vatican statistics.

Continue reading: Vatican statistics show decline in baptisms, clergy, religious, worldwide

New Catholic Mission Director for Victoria and Tasmania appointed

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has announced the appointment of Mr Cruz Ignatius as the new Catholic Mission Director in Victoria and Tasmania, following Mr Kevin Meece's announcement that he will be retiring at the end of the year. Mr Cruz Ignatius comes to Catholic Mission with a commitment to implementing culturally sensitive and faith-driven initiatives.

Continue reading: New Catholic Mission Director for Victoria and Tasmania appointed

‘In a diverse, pluralistic society like Australia, it is important that we are able to engage respectfully in dialogue with those with whom we disagree. It is in this dialogue that trust, harmony and peace are built.’

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli

defending the role of the Catholic university as a forum for civil engagement on questions of the most vulnerable among us

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
Care Coordinator—Clergy Life and Ministry, Fitzroy North
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV) Coordinator, Thornbury
Administration Officer—Property and Infrastructure, East Melbourne
Discipleship Internship, East Melbourne
Accounts Clerk, Newman College, Parkville
Senior Finance Officer, Newman College, Parkville
Reception and Administration Assistant—Newman College, Parkville

Parish position

Parish Secretary, Mary Help of Christians Parish, Altona

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 ...