Called to bring light and hope

There are as many ways to serve God and our neighbours as there are people on earth. God calls each one of us to use our unique gifts and circumstances—even our struggles and setbacks—to bring light and hope to a world that sorely needs it.

This week, we hear the story of Geraldine Vytilingam, a young Melbourne woman whose journey of faith and service began in her home and school, and was nurtured by the generosity of the Missionary Sisters of Service, taking her in some unexpected directions and showing her what it means to hope.

Over the weekend, the Church celebrated the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers, an opportunity to reflect—as Cathy Jenkins does this week in Melbourne Catholic, and as Pope Francis did on Sunday in a surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square—on what hope looks like for the sick and for those who care them.

And during his recent trip back to Melbourne, we caught up with Br Merric, the only Australian member of France’s Taizé community, who shared the story of how he found a home and sense of purpose in this special place ‘where people can come together, share their stories and grow in their understanding of God and each other’.

Hope does not disappoint
Geraldine Vytilingam: a journey of faith, service and hope
For Geraldine Vytilingam, hope is not just an ideal; it is a way of life. A woman of deep faith and unwavering service, she embodies the very spirit of hope that we are invited to embrace this Jubilee Year.
Moments of hope and transformation: reflecting on the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
On the weekend, we celebrated the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers. Reflecting on what hope looks like for the sick and for health care workers, Cathy Jenkins, Executive Director of Mission, Communications and Health at Mercy Health, writes, ‘It looks like doctors, nurses, personal care attendants who can see the dignity of the people in their care. It looks like someone experiencing illness who can maintain gratitude and peace of heart. And it is all of us who know that the only way through in times of illness and suffering is to care for each other in our own little ways.’
Ailing Pope surprises pilgrims during Jubilee of the Sick
Pope Francis made a surprise appearance on Sunday in St Peter’s Square during the Jubiliee of the Sick and Health Care Workers. The 88-year-old, wearing a nasal cannula, was wheeled out at the end of the closing Mass to cheers from the crowd of the sick and infirm, their carers and health care workers.
Br Merric: the contemplative life of a Taizé brother
Br Merric, a member of the Taizé community in France, visited his home town Melbourne recently, sharing the community’s unique and beautiful faith culture with hundreds. He speaks with us about life in the Taizé community and how he came to find a home in this place ‘where people can come together, share their stories and grow in their understanding of God and each other’.
Minimum wage rise needed to keep Australians out of poverty
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is calling for a $41.50 per week increase in the national miniumum wage. It has lodged a sumbmission to the Fair Work Commission arguing a rise will provide workers a dignified standard of living.
Vulnerable Australians become the shock absorbers of a failing system according to new report
Financial pressures on not-for-profit social services have become untenable, with Australia’s most vulnerable people bearing the brunt of chronic underfunding, according to a groundbreaking new report commissioned by Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA).
Let God guide you to greatness, Melbourne Catholic Professionals told
Melbourne educators and entrepreneurs Karen and Jonathan Doyle each gave a powerful talk at the Melbourne Catholic Professionals April luncheon, focusing on how trusting in God can help us to achieve great things in our work and personal lives.
Luce: Jubilee cuteness to light up Expo 2025
Jubilee mascot Luce is set to appear at Expo 2025 in Osaka from 13 April in the Holy See pavilion as part of the Vatican’s campaign to reach young people through non-traditional means like anime art.
St John Paul II drives cause of freedom 20 years after death, say world leaders
St John Paul II died on 2 April 2005. In the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of his death, world leaders and thinkers gathered in Poznań, Poland, to discuss his significant legacy. Their recollections focused on John Paul II as a man of steadfast faith who brought humanity greater freedom and true spiritual leadership—and whose legacy continues to inspire the drive for freedom today.
Pope Prayer Video
Pope prays people stare less at screens, connect more face-to-face
Technology should be used to improve people’s lives and to connect people as members of one human family, Pope Francis said in a video message to present his prayer intention for the month of April: ‘For the use of new technologies’. Often ‘the screen makes us forget that there are real people behind it who breathe, laugh and cry,’ the Pope said. ‘How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!’
Urgent aid needed for Myanmar Earthquake survivors
Jesuit Mission Australia is urgently appealing for support to help people affected by the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March. ‘The situation is dire, and the suffering is unimaginable. The people of Myanmar have faced relentless challenges in recent years, and this disaster has only compounded their hardship,’ says a Jesuit on the ground. ‘Yet … with your continued solidarity—through prayers, awareness and aid—we can bring light to these shadows.’
‘[Illness] is not always easy, but it is a school in which we learn each day to love and to let ourselves be loved, without being demanding or pushing back, without regrets and without despair, but rather with gratitude to God and to our brothers and sisters for the kindness we receive, looking towards the future with acceptance and trust.’
Pope Francis
reflecting on his recent experience of illness in his homily for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

  • Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV) Coordinator, Thornbury

Parish positions

  • Parish Secretary, St Martin of Tours Parish, Macleod/Rosanna

Other

  • Relationship Support Officer, CDF, East Melbourne

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

Upcoming events
Mannix Library Book Sale
Friday 28 March 2025
– Friday 11 April 2025
Calling all bookworms! Mannix Library is back with another book sale, and this time there are some really special items for sale. The book sale has introduced a new book type called ‘folio treasures’. These are larger books that can grace your coffee table, have pride of place on a ...
Six30 Holy Hour
Thursday 24 April 2025 6.30pm –7.30pm
Join with young Catholics from across the city for a time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, music and an opportunity for confession. Please note that Six30 Holy Hour will not take place this Thursday, 17 April due to Holy Thursday services at St Patrick’s Cathedral and that various venues ...
The Primacy of St Peter: A New Work by Composer Conrad Helfrich
Thursday 10 April 2025
7.00pm–8.30pm
A profound musical experience, performed by an esteemed 25-voice ensemble featuring some of Melbourne’s best singers, including ​members of Chorus Ecclesiae. Aria award winner Conrad Helfrich, composer and director of music at St Peter’s Church, Toorak, presents The Primacy of St Peter—Part One, an original a cappella choral composition sung ...
Beyond the Vows: A One-Day Marriage Retreat
Saturday 12 April 2025
9.45am–5.00pm
Your marriage doesn’t need to be in crisis to deserve attention. Set aside a day to reaffirm your vows, deepen in intimacy and draw nearer to God. Beyond the Vows is a one-day Catholic marriage retreat designed to help couples navigate life and draw closer together. Sponsored by the Vocations ...
Faith and Culture Sessions: ‘Why Be Catholic?’ with Jason Evert
Saturday 12 April 2025
10.00am–12.00pm
Jason Evert is the founder of the Chastity Project, promoting God’s plan for love and relationships. He’s spoken worldwide to audiences of all ages, offering practical insights on living out the faith. In his talk, he’ll examine some of the core reasons for embracing Catholicism in a modern world. The ...
Holy Week and Easter at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Thursday 17 April 2025, 7.30pm
– Sunday 20 April 2025, 8.00pm
All are welcome to St Patrick’s Cathedral for this year’s Holy Week and Easter liturgies, some of which will be broadcast to TV and livestreamed for those unable to attend: Holy Thursday (17 April): 7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper* Good Friday (18 April): Stations of the Cross (in Cathedral) ...
‘Stand Together for Justice and Kindness’ on Palm Sunday with the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project
Sunday 13 April 2025
1.00pm–4.00pm
The Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project invites you to join them and other Catholic organisations at the annual ‘Stand Together for Justice and Kindness’ march and rally on Palm Sunday. Now, more than ever, we need to speak up for justice and compassion to counter divisive and hurtful sentiments in public ...
The Melbourne Passion Play
Sunday 13 April 2025
1.30pm–3.30pm
Performed this year at a new venue—Catholic Regional College in Sydenham—‘The Melbourne Passion Play’ is a great opportunity to experience the passion and death of Christ enacted in Melbourne by a group of volunteers. This is a scene-by-scene representation of the ministry of Jesus by people in real, open-air surroundings ...
God and Beer presents ‘The Discernment of Spirits’ with Rob Zaar
Monday 14 April 2025
6.30pm–9.00pm
Teacher and spiritual director Rob Zaar will join us to provide an introduction to ‘spiritual warfare’ and the discernment of spirits. Each stage will be outlined with practical suggestions drawn from the wisdom of Teresa of Avila and from St Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. Rob Zaar is a Catholic teacher and ...
Mary Glowrey Museum Open Day
Wednesday 16 April 2025
10.00am–3.00pm
Visit the Mary Glowrey Museum in Fitzroy to learn more about the life and legacy of Australian-born medical missionary in India and Servant of God Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ. Mary Glowrey is one of two Australians currently being officially considered for sainthood. She was the first president of the ...
Sisters of Saint Joseph Retreat: Hildegard of Bingen, a Woman for Our Time
Thursday 24 April 2025
– Saturday 26 April 2025
Hildegard is an inspiration for us in her passion for God, her visionary artistic and musical gifts and especially in her ability to discover the exuberant Spirit of the Divine alive in all creation. Through pondering on selected writings and illustrations of this remarkable medieval woman, participants in this retreat—facilitated ...
Gala NextGen Organ Concert 2025
Sunday 4 May 2025
3.00pm–4.00pm
Presented by the Australian and New Zealand College of Organists (ANZCO), the GALA NextGen Organ Concerts give audiences the chance to hear tomorrow’s leaders today and give young organists the chance to perform on some of Australia’s finest pipe organs. Every NextGen Organ Concert features a variety of young organists ...
‘Can a scientist believe in God?’ presented by Rev Dr Christopher Mulherin
Monday 12 May 2025
7.00pm–8.30pm
Many people say (or fear?) that God and science don’t mix. In faith-based schools, 60 per cent of secondary students say Christianity and science conflict. This introduction to the ‘conflict myth’—which is eligible for maintaining accreditation in Catholic schools in Victoria and Queensland—offers some clues about how to understand the ...
‘60 Years since Vatican II—Pope Francis, Synodality and the Jubilee Year of Hope’ presented by Rev Dr Max Vodola
Tuesday 13 May 2025
7.00pm–8.30pm
This session will explore some of the key insights of Vatican II, which concluded 60 years ago in 1965. The council renewed the Church in order to focus on liturgical reform, the role of the laity in the mission of the Church and the important work of ecumenism and social ...
Helder Camara Lecture: A Conversation with Cardinal Chow SJ, Bishop of Hong Kong
Monday 19 May 2025
5.00pm–7.00pm
You won’t want to miss this conversation on ‘Bridge-building’ with Cardinal Stephen Chow SJ, Bishop of Hong Kong. Moderated by Fr Frank Brennan SJ, the conversation—part of the Helder Camera Lecture series—will be hosted by Newman College. Born in 1959, Cardinal Stephen grew up in Hong Kong during British colonial ...

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities, visit the Melbourne Catholic events page.

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

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