Enriched by many cultures

We live in challenging times, but we are also blessed to live in a city shaped and enriched by many cultures. As global conflicts intensify, we are called to respond generously—like the Good Samaritan—to all our neighbours, never losing sight of our common humanity.

Last week, in response to a disturbing arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Melbourne’s religious leaders stood side by side on the steps of the synagogue to denounce the rise in anti-Semitism and affirm their shared commitment to unity, peace and mutual respect.

During his recent visit to Melbourne, we caught up with Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, the first-ever cardinal from Timor-Leste, about the challenges and opportunities experienced by the Timorese community in Australia and an exciting project with Australian Catholic University to improve educational opportunities for young people in his homeland.

And on Saturday, a group of about 50 pilgrims of different ages, backgrounds and life experiences walked the ‘Camino Domini’ together through Victoria’s Wombat State Forest to St Mary Magdalen’s Church in Trentham—a journey ‘from loss to hope’ that drew deeply on the ancient and healing Catholic tradition of pilgrimage.

Calling for ‘the world’s longest love’, faith leaders unite against anti-Semitism
Together with other interfaith leaders, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli visited the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Synagogue to publicly condemn the alarming rise in antisemitism—both globally and on the streets of Melbourne. The faith leaders expressed their solidarity with Melbourne’s Jewish community and reinforced a shared commitment to unity, peace and mutual respect.
Timor-Leste’s Cardinal strengthens faith and ties in Melbourne
The first cardinal ever appointed from Timor-Leste has wound up a visit to Melbourne, where he met with the local Timorese community, giving them a rare chance to connect with their homeland’s spiritual leader. During his visit, Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva spoke with Melbourne Catholic about the challenges and opportunities experienced by the Timorese community in Australia, his mission to improve educational opportunities for young people in Timor-Leste, and the privilege of being part of the recent conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV.
Pilgrim Places
A pilgrimage from loss to hope: the Camino Domini in Trentham
The Camino Domini pilgrimage to St Mary Magdalen's in Trentham—an official Pilgrim Place—was a journey 'from loss to hope', a revival of community spirit through Catholic tradition. Diverse pilgrims found solace and connection along the trail, while the small country church has blossomed with renewed purpose.
People of the resurrection: local clergy gather to celebrate Jubilee Year
The Jubilee is a time to embody the joy of Christ, said clergy during a special gathering to mark the recent Jubilee for Seminarians, Priests and Bishops.
Parishes need to launch ‘revolution of care’ for the elderly, Pope says
Pope Leo XIV called on every parish and Church group or association to become part of a ‘revolution’ of care and gratitude by regularly visiting older people. ‘Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are,’ the Pope wrote in his message for World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, a Church celebration that will take place on 27 July.
Gaza’s Christian community persevering amid hardship and hope
The parish priest of Gaza Strip’s small Christian community admitted his flock is exhausted by war and a severe lack of food. The priest spoke to Vatican Radio amid tragedy after tragedy unfolding in the enclave.
Synod office provides guidelines to help local churches, bishops implement synodality
Local churches and bishops worldwide will be instrumental in helping implement the proposals and foster the spirit of the 2024 final document of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, the Vatican synod office said. The implementation phase of the synod ‘aims to examine new practices and structures that will make the life of the Church more synodal,’ the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops said in a new set of guidelines released on 7 July.
Caritas Australia CEO calls attention to aid worker safety
This week, Caritas Australia CEO Kirsten Sayers met with the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Keith Pitt, in Rome, continuing a dialogue that began in Canberra earlier this year. ‘The world is shaken by conflict and uncertainty, but Ambassador Pitt and I were pleased to reflect on Australia’s ongoing commitment to peace, stability and prosperity for all,’ said Ms Sayers.
‘If we are here today standing against what has been called “the world’s longest hatred”, I think that “the world’s longest love” that we represent [shows] our commitment to this city remaining a place of cohesiveness, a place of unity, a place of togetherness and a place of peace.’
Rabbi Ralph Genende OAM
speaking on the steps of the historic East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Synagogue as religious leaders gathered to affirm their shared commitment to unity, peace and mutual respect.
Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Archdiocese of Melbourne

  • Payroll Support Officer, East Melbourne
  • Development Operations Manager, East Melbourne

Parishes

  • Parish Administration Assistant, Parish of St Bernadette, Sunshine North

Other

  • Reception and Administration Assistant, Newman College, Parkville

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

Upcoming events
Six30 Holy Hour
Thursday 13 February 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 various venues will be used for Six30 Holy Hour throughout 2025. Please check venue details each week on the Events page of Melbourne Catholic ...
Benedetta Young Women’s Retreat
Saturday 19 July 2025
3.00pm–6.00pm
Join us for a warm, faith-filled day at Hap Cafe, where young women (aged 18–40) of the Catholic faith come together to connect, grow and be renewed. Benedetta is a welcoming and intimate community designed to nurture lasting friendships and support your journey in faith. Through meaningful workshops, prayer and ...
Invitation Changes Everything: Build a Parish That Reaches Out
Saturday 19 July 2025, 11.30am
– Sunday 20 July 2025, 5.30pm
Can a simple invitation really change a life? According to Michael Harvey, it absolutely can and often does. In this powerful, interactive session, the renowned speaker and founder of Back to Church Sunday will invite us into a bold new vision: a parish culture where invitation is second nature, not ...
Venerable Mary Aikenhead Oration: ‘From Dublin to Digital’, Presented by Maggie Doherty
Wednesday 23 July 2025
6.00pm–7.30pm
The 2025 Venerable Mary Aikenhead Oration, ‘From Dublin to Digital: Mary Aikenhead’s Vision in the AI Era’, will be presented by Maggie Doherty, Director of the Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well, St Mary’s University London. In the early 19th century, the Venerable Mary Aikenhead could not ...
Open House Melbourne: Catholic Theological College
Saturday 26 July 2025
9.00am–3.00pm
Catholic Theological College will again be welcoming visitors as part of the 2025 Open House Melbourne weekend. The college comprises two buildings, both architecturally significant in different ways. The site’s original building, an imposing three-storey bluestone structure on Victoria Parade, was built in 1871 and designed by William Wardell, the ...
Open House Melbourne: Catholic Leadership Centre
Saturday 26 July 2025
11.00am–2.30pm
The Catholic Leadership Centre will be welcoming visitors as part of the 2025 Open House Melbourne weekend. In 2012, the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Catholic Education Office had a vision to adaptively reuse the historic St John the Evangelist School site in East Melbourne to become a professional learning ...
Information session and preview of the Mary Magdalene Musical
Saturday 26 July 2025
3.00pm–5.00pm
Celebrate 20 years of COG Theatre Group! Join us for a special preview of the forthcoming production Mary Magdalene the Musical (coming February–March 2026), featuring our talented performers and highlighting two decades of creative community impact through COG shows, courses and outreaches. With special guest star Gary Pinto, past member ...
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 ...
Melbourne Catholic Professionals Public Lecture: Br Guy Consolmagno SJ
Tuesday 29 July 2025
5.30pm–7.00pm
Melbourne Catholic Professionals warmly invites you to a captivating public lecture by Br Guy Consolmagno SJ, Director of the Vatican Observatory and renowned Jesuit astronomer. Join us for an evening of insight and wonder as Br Consolmagno explores the intersection of faith and science, sharing his unique perspective on how ...
Helder Camara Lecture: ‘How is the Future of the Amazon a Future for All?’ with Mauricio Lopez Oropeza
Wednesday 30 July 2025
5.00pm–8.00pm
As part of the Helder Camara Lecture Series hosted by Newman College, Mauricio Lopez Oropeza, one of Latin America’s most dynamic Catholic lay leaders, will draw on his experience at the Amazon Synod and at the Vatican in a conversation encompassing ecology, Indigenous rights, migration and living out the vision ...
An evening with Michael McGirr: The Never Ending Journey of Hope
Thursday 31 July 2025
7.15pm–9.00pm
You are warmly invited to attend an evening featuring the acclaimed author, reviewer and educator, and current Mission Director of Caritas Australia, Michael McGirr. An entertaining speaker, Michael has been published in The New York Times, The Tablet and major Australian newspapers. He has written books on philosophy, literature, spirituality ...
Our Lady of Pentecost Parish Pilgrimage: ‘Reconciliation: We are One’ with Mark Cooper
Saturday 2 August 2025
9.00am–12.00pm
In celebration of the Jubilee Year, Our Lady of Pentecost Parish is hosting a series of monthly pilgrimages at Our Lady of Victories Basilica in Camberwell. These pilgrimages are held on the first Saturday of each month, from May through November 2025. The structure of each pilgrimage is 9–9.30am—Exposition ...
Incantations presented by Australian Boys Choral Institute
Sunday 3 August 2025
3.00pm–4.00pm
The Australian Boys Choir continues their 2025 season with this concert of inspiring choral works. This program will also feature the training choirs of the ABCI as well as the outstanding voices of the Vocal Consort. The program includes: Out There by Dan Walker (Australia, b. 1978)The Estuary by Leonie ...
Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) Annual Dinner
Friday 8 August 2025
6.00pm–11.00pm
This year, the Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) Dinner will be held at the State Library of Victoria, and as in previous years, it promises to be a lively evening of great conversation, good food and a chance to meet and catch up with the extended CSSV community. We are ...
Encounter—ACYF Edition
Saturday 9 August 2025
7.00pm–9.30pm
Join hundreds of young pilgrims across the Archdiocese of Melbourne for a powerful night of prayer, talks and live music in the lead-up to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival. Bring a friend and experience a glimpse of what the Festival will offer! Fr Rob Galea will headline this special bumper ...
Mary Glowrey Museum Weekend Open Day
Sunday 10 August 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 ...
Vibrant Parish Series—Service: Beyond the Church Doors
Tuesday 12 August 2025, 6.30pm
– Wednesday 13 August 2025, 9.00pm
In my own local community, do I love my neighbour? Jesus calls us to love God and love our neighbour—the Great Commandment. Matthew Chapter 25 may be considered our ‘playbook’ for following Jesus, who is a model of servant love. Hear from leaders in Catholic social services as they explore ...
Melbourne Catholic Professionals luncheon: Dr Byron Pirola
Thursday 14 August 2025
12.00pm–2.00pm
Melbourne Catholic Professionals invites you to the next luncheon with guest speaker Dr Byron Pirola. Byron leads the Strategy competency within EY-Parthenon and has over 35 years’ experience in strategy consulting. Byron joined Port Jackson Partners in 1992 following time at McKinsey & Company, where he started his career. As ...
Knights of the Southern Cross—Archbishop’s Dinner 2025
Friday 29 August 2025
7.00pm–11.00pm
Join the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria to celebrate the 25th annual Archbishop’s Dinner. The dinner is held each year to raise funds for the Priests Support and Education Fund. This fund was established by the Knights of the Southern Cross to assist in the funding and education of ...
Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025
Sunday 30 November 2025
– Tuesday 2 December 2025
ACYF returns to Melbourne at the end of 2025! Capping off a rich program of Jubilee events in our Archdiocese this 2025 Jubilee Year, the Australian Catholic Youth Festival is a fun and faith-filled national festival. It provides young people from Year 9 to 25 years old with the opportunity ...

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities, visit the Melbourne Catholic events page and follow our social media accounts.

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of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

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