Once again we find ourselves in a state of lockdown. While this is not a new experience for us, may we take courage from the words of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, whose feast we celebrate this Sunday: 'God will carry you safely through every struggle.' Let us continue to hold in our prayers all those who are suffering from the effects of this virus.

This week's collection of stories (perfect additions to your lockdown reading list!) includes a wrap up of the recent launch of the 2021-22 Social Justice Statement, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor. Bishop Vincent Long OFMConv, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, said he hopes the Statement encourages a paradigm shift from "dominion" to "communion", something that our Indigenous brothers and sisters can teach us about. Also below is a link to the photo gallery from last weekend's episcopal ordinations of Bishop Martin Ashe and Bishop Anthony (Tony) Ireland. It was a truly wonderful event in the life of our local church of Melbourne, and we wish the two bishops well as they begin their new ministry.

A reminder too that this weekend is the annual CatholicCare Sunday Appeal. Funds from the appeal go towards services that will help Victoria's most vulnerable including counselling, affordable housing and refugee and asylum seeker assistance.

And finally, if your parish is unable to stream Mass online during this lockdown period, please join the daily Masses streamed live from St Patrick's Cathedral, including this Sunday's 11am Mass which will also be broadcast on community channel C31 (channel 44 on digital TV).
'God will carry you safely through every struggle.'
 
 
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
1870
 
 
Catholic Church urges action to care for the earth, the poor
This year's Social Justice Statement, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, includes an historic commitment by the Catholic Bishops of Australia to a seven-year journey towards seven Laudato Si’ Goals. Last night's launch included input from Sherry Balcombe of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria and Bishop Vincent Long OFMConv, who hopes the Statement encourages an ecological conversion from "dominion" to "communion".
 
 
CatholicCare Victoria launches annual Sunday Appeal
The annual CatholicCare Sunday Appeal (7-8 August) enables the support of vulnerable families and individuals in local communities. The funds raised go towards providing counselling and mental health services, employment help, affordable housing, support for separating families, refugee and asylum seeker help and more.
 
 
Bells ring out for Melbourne’s newly ordained bishops
After months of quiet in the City of Melbourne, the 150-year-old bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral rang with glee on Saturday 31 July for the episcopal ordination of the Most Reverend Martin Ashe and the Most Reverend Anthony John Ireland, Melbourne’s newest auxiliary bishops.
 
 
Fr Trac Nguyen, living a joyful life of service
On the wall of Fr Trac Nguyen’s office at All Hallows Church in Balwyn is a special poster. It features an image of a man casting out his fishing net and reads, Here I am among you who serves. It is the motto of his ordination to priesthood, which took place almost two years ago, on 7 September 2019, and is a reminder of his mission to be of service. As we celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week (1-8 August), Fr Trac shares his story of joyful mission.
 
 
Women on Mission in the World, Together
While National Vocations Awareness Week is typically celebrated as a "week", this year in Melbourne, we're going to spend the whole month of August celebrating local men and women who have discerned their vocation and the positive impact that has had on those around them. In this letter to the Missionary Sisters of Service, an Australian congregation of women, writer and photographer Fiona Basile reflects on her friendship with the Sisters and how it has inspired her own vocation as a laywoman on 'mission in the world'.
 
'We have to take time to listen and of course to allow the Holy Spirit to do the job too. We do what we can at our human level, but we also need to allow God and the Holy Spirit to invite that person to take on the journey.'
 
 
Fr Trac Nguyen
On discerning his vocation
 
More stories to catch up on
Shadows and Silence: a Transfiguration meditation
The feast of the transfiguration is also the memorial of a great disfiguration: the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. How are the two connected, if at all?
 
St Peter Eymard's: A parish 'charitable at heart'
In the leafy suburb of Mooroolbark, in the outer east of Melbourne, can be found the parish of St Peter Eymard’s. Fr Joseph Lu Xin has been the parish priest for 11 years and describes his parishioners as both ‘community-spirited’ and ‘charitable at heart’, qualities that have seen people visit ...
 
The history behind Mary MacKillop's excommunication
On Friday 22 September 1871, Mary MacKillop was excommunicated by Bishop Sheil of Adelaide for alleged insubordination. This is the most famous part of the Mary MacKillop story, one with which everyone is familiar. Perhaps a less familiar aspect of the story, however, is a potential reason why she ended ...
 
St John Vianney's Parish: Building community
When Fr Eric Alleaume OMI arrived at St John Vianney’s Church in November 2020, it was not the first time he’d set foot on the parish grounds. He had been ordained at the Springvale North parish 30 years prior, so he says 'it was nice to be able to celebrate ...
 
Safeguarding documents translated into 11 languages
Building a culture of safety within the Archdiocese – indeed the Church – requires a shared understanding of the key responsibilities of all parties involved. To facilitate this, the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has organised the translation of key safeguarding and child safety documents ...
 
 
Upcoming events
JPC Celebrates 40 Years of Service to the Catholic Deaf Community
Sunday 15 August 2021
11.00am–4.00pm
The John Pierce Centre is celebrating 40 years of service to the Deaf and hard of hearing community. As the only Deaf Catholic Centre in Victoria, we provide pastoral support, community activities, events and opportunities to come together, celebrating the Deaf community: their language of Auslan, their rich history and ...
 
More info
Book now
Lectio Divina: A Contemplative Way of Reading the Bible by Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Dupuche
Saturday 21 August 2021
2.00pm–4.00pm
How do I access the riches of the word of God spoken to me? How can I dwell in silent and peaceful contemplation? This short online course from Catholic Theological College will provide some pointers. Engaging Your Faith is a series of online short sessions by Catholic Theological College. They ...
 
More info
Register now
Mercy in the Gospel According to Mark by Dr Rosemary Canavan
Monday 23 August 2021
7.00pm–8.30pm
Mercy (ἐλέεω) occurs only three times in the Gospel of Mark: once in the story of the Gerasene demoniac (5:19) and twice in the story of Bartimaeus (10:47,48). This online session investigates what these two episodes can tell us about “mercy” in discipleship and mission. Engaging Your Faith is a ...
 
More info
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Five elements of an outstanding student leadership program
Wednesday 25 August 2021
4.00pm–5.00pm
Held by Yellow Arrow Leadership, this webinar is for teachers who work with student leaders to develop their potential. You might be the Student Leadership Coordinator at your school, or a Principal exploring resources to help your staff to develop the student leadership pipeline. This webinar will help you to ...
 
More info
Register now
Mission 2021: One heart many voices
Wednesday 1 September 2021, 9.00am
– Friday 3 September 2021, 4.30pm
Mission 2021, organised by Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia and following the success of the last four conferences, the fifth Mission: one heart many voices conference 2021 will directly identify and explore the challenges of living the Gospel and Leading Mission Now in Australia and globally. Drawing on the ...
 
More info
Register now
 

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