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The adventure begins

When we gaze at the stars, or feel the exhilaration of gathering at Mass with pilgrims from all corners of the earth, or look back with gratitude on a long life well lived, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the power of God’s love for us. But it’s when we surrender to this love that the adventure really begins.

A group of young Melburnians recently set out on their own adventure, joining a million pilgrims who converged on Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, where Pope Leo XIV encouraged them to be ‘the light of the world’ and a message of hope and peace.

Br Guy Consolmagno SJ, director of the Vatican Observatory, has spent a lifetime looking up at the stars, contemplating the wonder of creation and ‘having a blast’ along the way. Speaking recently in Melbourne, he had his audience hanging on every word as he shared some of the surprising adventure of discovery God has taken him on.

As the Archbishop’s Campaign launches for another year, and as we observe National Vocations Awareness Week (3–10 August), we hear from retired priest Fr Brendan Lane about the many joys of his 52-year vocation—a calling he initially resisted. Now, looking back on a rich and fulfilling life of service, he is more convinced than ever that God’s love is ‘the most powerful force in the world’.

You’re a pilgrim, not a tourist: pilgrims reflect on the week that was

Melburnians were among the more than one million to gather for a final Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in Rome’s Tor Vergara neighbourhood to conclude the Jubilee of Youth. The week-long pilgrimage has been a transformative experience—one of adventure, surprise, growth, beauty and hope—as our pilgrims share.

Continue reading: You’re a pilgrim, not a tourist: pilgrims reflect on the week that was

Seeing God at play: a Jesuit looks at the stars

God was at play when he created the universe, and he invites us to gaze at the stars and to join in the fun. This was the theme of an inspiring public lecture given by Br Guy Consolmagno SJ, ‘the Pope’s astronomer’, at the most recent Melbourne Catholic Professionals event. ‘God made us to be astronomers!’ he declared.‘This is what makes us more than just well-fed animals. This is what feeds our souls.’

Continue reading: Seeing God at play: a Jesuit looks at the stars

Archbishop's campaign

The power of God’s love: Fr Brendan Lane reflects on a life of service

When Fr Brendan Lane retired in 2023, after more than five decades of priestly ministry, he stepped into a new rhythm of life, one that is quieter but still full of purpose. Looking back on his years of priestly service—a vocation he initially resisted—he shares with us some of the many joys and challenges of his journey, saying he is more convinced than ever of the transforming power of God's love.

Continue reading: The power of God’s love: Fr Brendan Lane reflects on a life of service

Carrying their story: Melbourne priest heartbroken over persecution of Syria’s Christians

Fr Zaher Mhanna has been in Australia for a decade since fleeing Syria, but much of his heart remains in his homeland. Increasing acts of persecution against the Christian minority are tearing him apart inside, and he urges the world to take note. Syria is the cradle of Christianity, he reminds us, and it is in danger of being lost if the violence and marginalisation continues.

Continue reading: Carrying their story: Melbourne priest heartbroken over persecution of Syria’s Christians

Community connections unlock learning at Mannix College’s StudyFest

When Mannix College, the only residential college affiliated with Monash University, launched StudyFest in 2024, the goal was simple but ambitious: to reimagine academic support in a way that would both lift results and strengthen the college’s sense of community. A year later, the program—which bases its approach in a strong sense of community, connection and fun—is not only improving academic performance but also earning national recognition.

Continue reading: Community connections unlock learning at Mannix College’s StudyFest

Create encounters, not just content, Pope says to digital missionaries and Catholic influencers

In an ever-evolving era of technological advancement, Catholics in the digital space must focus on being authentic witnesses rather than providing endless streams of content, Pope Leo XIV said at the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers, which drew more than 1,000 participants from more than 70 countries to Rome and the Vatican for a series of talks and other spiritual, ecumenical and cultural events on 29 and 29 July.

Continue reading: Create encounters, not just content, Pope says to digital missionaries and Catholic influencers

‘In the rhythm of the canoe’: reflections on synodality and the Amazon

Influential lay leader of the South American Church Mauricio López Oropeza believes the future of Catholic synodality lies in deep listening to people on the periphery. He says the indigenous people of the Amazon Basin with whom he works and walks are custodians not only of the future Church, but also of the future of the planet.

Continue reading: ‘In the rhythm of the canoe’: reflections on synodality and the Amazon

Pope paves way for St John Henry Newman to be formally named Doctor of the Church

St John Henry Newman—the 19th-century theologian, intellectual and preacher who journeyed from Anglicanism to Catholicism, powerfully shaping religious thought in both faith traditions—will be named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV.

Continue reading: Pope paves way for St John Henry Newman to be formally named Doctor of the Church

Pope Prayer Video

For mutual coexistence: Pope Leo’s prayer intention for August

In the Pope Video for August, Pope Leo XIV asks us to pray that societies would avoid internal conflicts due to ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons, encouraging us to ‘seek paths of dialogue’ and ‘respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity’.

Continue reading: For mutual coexistence: Pope Leo’s prayer intention for August

‘I have been a planetary scientist for half a century, and I never get tired of looking at the stars ... God made us to be astronomers! ... This is what makes us more than just well-fed animals. This is what feeds our souls.’

Br Guy Consolmagno SJ, director of the Vatican Observatory

on how paying close attention to the wonder of creation can bring us closer to the Creator, and to our own true purpose.

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions at the Archdiocese of Melbourne:

Development Operations Manager, East Melbourne
Events Coordinator, East Melbourne

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

Upcoming events

Blessed Carlo Acutis Relic and International Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition

Tuesday 29 July 2025, 3.00pm
– Wednesday 6 August 2025, 9.00pm

St Luke the Evangelist Church, Blackburn South, and St Timothy’s, Forest Hill, warmly invite you to experience the first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis and the International Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition, which was put together by Carlo himself. This event will include an exciting series of talks with special guests. For ...