‘We are at a liminal place – a threshold of transition,’ Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said last night during the third annual Patrick Oration, which was attended by various religious, civic and community leaders from around Melbourne and broadcast live on C31. The Archbishop reflected on the sense of “exile” that the last two years of the pandemic have brought about, and why the domestic church – the family – remains the prime location for developing a sense of communion, formation and mission. If you missed it, you can read or watch the full Oration here.
Have you heard about ‘the best-kept secret in Melbourne’? The Stella Maris Centre has been part of the local Church’s mission to seafarers for more than a hundred years. Even the late Bert Newton AM MBE was an avid supporter of the ministry. We talk with Melbourne Catholic Christina Siciliano, a longtime volunteer at Stella Maris, about some of the work they do to support and advocate for the world's 1.4 million seafarers.
This week we also celebrated Catholic Education Week, with a host of great resources put together by principals, parish priests and parents to help us reflect more on working together for the benefit of our school communities. In the same vein, we explore why Catholic education is essential for us personally and socially, through the words of the popes. We also take a look at this year's winning pieces from the annual Creative Arts Exhibition by some of the incredible artistic talent coming out of Melbourne’s schools!
Last Tuesday ACU’s PM Glynn Institute launched its series of lectures called Ethos, an opportunity to think critically about ethics, the common good, and the future of Australia. The inaugural discussion explored the impact of social media on Australian culture and society, and looked at ways in which we might draw the best of it while limiting the harm.
We also hear from Fr Jerald Mariadas, Parish Priest at Ss Peter and Paul, Doncaster East and Our Lady of the Pines, Donvale, who shares his vocation story which began in the south of India and was nurtured by childhood stories of the saints and their lives of adventure and mission. And finally, since we’ve just celebrated the Solemnity of our patron, St Patrick, we take a look at one of the legends surrounding the great saint and why stories like this are great for evangelising the imagination at any age!