Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday, also known as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Seminarians from around the Archdiocese visited parishes and offered reflections on their experience of God's call and their journey of response. Speaking of responding to God's call, we hear from Fr Anil Mascarenhas, Assistant Parish Priest of St Kevin's in Hampton Park and one of the seven Vocations Promotors for the Archdiocese. Fr Anil says he was ‘born into a poor family’ but one that was rich in faith, and describes how he went from studying economics and social work to embracing the call to ‘serve beyond the Indian sea shore’.

If you've travelled along Upper Heidelberg Road in the past year, you might've noticed that Mary Immaculate Catholic Church has been undergoing massive redevelopment. This is actually part of a much bigger project that the Ivanhoe Parish community has been journeying towards for a good 20 years! Parish Priest Fr Bill Edebohls joined us to share some of his own journey of faith, and give an update on the latest developments. The project raises some thoughtful questions about the challenges and opportunities of parish life, and why discernment takes time and cooperation.

Next week is "Laudato Si' Week" (16-24 May), marks the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'. Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM, a member of the Laudato Si’ Animators Melbourne Group, shares some resources and local examples of how to get involved and care for God's creation. It builds on the resources provided by the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace.

And in this Marian month of May, we explore the various Marian devotions from around the world, including the famous icons of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Our Lady Queen of Ukraine, and Our Lady of Zarvanytsia. Sr Paula Moroney OCDM also reflects on Mary's spiritual motherhood, and the role she plays as the ‘focal point of history, where the Old Testament is fulfilled and the New Testament begins’.

Lastly, if you're looking for a new movie to watch, you might try Father Stu, which opens today across Australia. It stars Mark Wahlberg and tells the true story of Fr Stuart Long of the Diocese of Helena, Montana, who suffered an awful degenerative muscle disease throughout his priesthood. The movie has been very well received internationally, offering a realistic, gritty account of human suffering, as well as the beauty and grace that remains possible through it.

 
Nothing is wasted with God: Seminarians share their stories
Good Shepherd Sunday, also known as World Day of Prayer for Vocations, is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Easter. To mark the occasion, seminarians from Corpus Christi College, the regional seminary for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, visited parishes across the Archdiocese last weekend to share how they responded to God's call to the priesthood. They also offered some helpful advice for those discerning the call to priestly or religious life.
 
 
A mystery and a miracle: Fr Anil Mascarenhas
Fr Anil Mascarenhas considers his priestly vocation a ‘mystery and miracle’. The 40-year-old from the state of Karnataka in India, has been a priest in the Archdiocese of Melbourne for almost five years. He was appointed to St Andrew’s in Werribee for three years and has been assistant parish priest at St Kevin’s in Hampton Park since January 2021. His passion lies in engaging young people and families, so that they can understand the richness of faith life and God’s unconditional love as he experienced it himself growing up in his own family.
 
 
Fr Bill Edebohls: Finding a common home with Ivanhoe Parish
Ivanhoe Parish has been undergoing a massive redevelopment project. The Parish Priest, Fr Bill Edebohls, joins Melbourne Catholic for a discussion about his own faith journey, and the journey his community has been undertaking for some time now.
 
 
‘Listening and journeying together’ during Laudato Si' Week
As we prepare to celebrate Laudato Si' Week from 16 to 24 May—with the theme ‘Listening and Journeying Together’—Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM reflects on how, seven years on, Pope Francis’ encyclical has helped Catholics to understand the important connection people have to the whole of creation, and the centrality of this to the Church’s mission.
 
 
Our Lady around the world (Part 1): Poland and Ukraine
The month of May is a particular time in which we give honour to the Mother of God (theotokos) and strive to imitate her humble receptivity to God’s grace. In a continuing series of article, we’ll take a look at some of the sacred images and devotions from around the world to see how different cultures express their unique devotion to the Mother of God. Today we start with Poland and Ukraine.
 
 
Mary, women and waiting on God
In this Marian month of May, Sr Paula Moroney OCDM reflects on Mary's womanhood and spiritual motherhood: ‘As a woman, she has the singular privilege of being Mother of Jesus, Mother of God. Not only did she give birth to her son; she assumed spiritual motherhood of all those who followed through the ages ... It is Mary who stands at the focal point of history, where the Old Testament is fulfilled and the New Testament begins.’ Mary's selfless love was ever attuned, Sr Paula Moroney OCDM says, listening to God’s Word and placing herself completely at God’s disposal.
 
 
Pope Francis: ‘We are losing the ability to listen’
In his message for the 56th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Francis says that the greatest need of human beings is ‘the desire to be heard’, and yet ‘we are losing the ability to listen’. In Australia, World Communications Day is celebrated on the Sixth Sunday of Easter (this year on 22 May). This year's theme is ‘Listening with the ear of the heart.’
 
 
Faith leaders call for permanent protection for refugees
On Friday 29 April, a group of interfaith leaders, including Sr Brigid Arthur CSB, Rev Tim Costello and Dean Andreas gathered at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Melbourne to launch a statement urging political leaders to reconsider the needs and futures of people on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and offer them permanent protection. The statement has since been signed and sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese.
 
 
‘There’s real meaning in serving where there’s a need’
 
 
Fr Anil Mascarenhas
On discerning his vocation to the priesthood
 
Upcoming Events
 
Southern Region Mass for Young Adults
Sunday 15 May 2022
6.00pm–8.30pm
Get together with other young people from the local area for Mass, dinner, and a conversation with Bishop Anthony Ireland. This will be an awesome opportunity to meet other young Catholics from across the southern region and share with Bishop Ireland your hopes, dreams, and expectations for the future of ...
 
 
Engaging Your Faith: "Contemporary Ideas on Burnout in Ministry"
Monday 16 May 2022
7.30pm–8.45pm
Rev. Dr Jake Mudge will present this session as part of the Engaging Your Faith series from Catholic Theological College. These online short sessions offer an opportunity to explore your faith through a variety of topics including Theology, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Vatican II, Pastoral Studies, Laudato Si, Christian Meditation, Lectio ...
 
 
Engaging Your Faith: "Spirituality: Wisdom and Compassion in Practice"
Tuesday 17 May 2022
7.00pm–8.00pm
Dr Christopher Morris will present this session as part of the Engaging Your Faith series from Catholic Theological College. These online short sessions offer an opportunity to explore your faith through a variety of topics including Theology, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Vatican II, Pastoral Studies, Laudato Si, Christian Meditation, Lectio Divina ...
 
 
PSU Risk Assessment Workshop: Parish Events
Wednesday 18 May 2022
11.00am–12.30pm
Organised by the PSU, this online risk assessment workshop is focussed on parish events. It is designed for Clergy, Safeguarding Committee members and those working directly with children and young people in parish groups/programs/ministries. Learning Outcomes: Increase your understanding of the types of safeguarding risks within your parish.Gain practical experience ...
 
 
Engaging Your Faith: “A More Passionate Concern for the Protection of Our World” - Pope Francis in Laudato Si’
Wednesday 18 May 2022
7.00pm–8.30pm
Dr Frances Baker RSM will present this session as part of the Engaging Your Faith series from Catholic Theological College. These online short sessions offer an opportunity to explore your faith through a variety of topics including Theology, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Vatican II, Pastoral Studies, Laudato Si, Christian Meditation, Lectio ...
 
 
PSU Risk Assessment Workshop: Service & Outreach Programs
Thursday 19 May 2022
11.00am–12.30pm
The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is hosting an online risk assessment workshop focusing on Service and Outreach Programs. These workshops are designed for Clergy, Safeguarding Committee members and those working directly with children and young people in parish groups/programs/ministries. Learning Outcomes: Increase your understanding of the types of safeguarding risks ...
 
 
Mass to commemorate those who have died during the COVID pandemic
Sunday 22 May 2022
11.00am–12.00pm
In recognition of the significant impact of COVID in our families and communities, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will celebrate a memorial Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 22 May for all those who have died during the COVID pandemic. This Mass will be offered for all the departed who ...
 
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Workshop with Fr Elio Capra sdb
Saturday 18 June 2022
10.00am–3.30pm
Is your RCIA making disciples of your catechumens and candidates? After two years of pandemic, is it time for your parish RCIA practice to be reenergised and refreshed? Does your parish have a missionary culture of accompanying catechumens and candidates? Clergy, all parish RCIA team coordinators and members—emerging and experienced—and ...
 
 
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre open days
Saturday 18 June 2022
10.00am–4.00pm
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre (MMHC) East Melbourne a place of inspiration and vitality, manifests and promotes the spirit and charism of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. MMHC provides, through education, hospitality and charitable works, opportunities for all to experience and be challenged by ...
 
 
P.S. Before you go . . .
 
Movies to look out for: Father Stu
On 12 May, Mark Wahlberg's new film, "Father Stu" will be released in Australian cinemas. It is based on the true story of Fr Stuart Long of the Diocese of Helena, Montana, and the incredible suffering he endured through the development of an incurable and aggressive muscle disease.
 

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