Seeking more

The quest for something more—for truth, love, meaning, safety, a home—is a universal human experience. All of us are seeking something.

As we mark Refugee Week, we are called to remember and pray especially for those who have been forced to seek safety and hope far from their homelands, and on Tuesday evening Catholics from around Australia gathered online to do just that.

Famed French philosopher and scientist Blaise Pascal was recently honoured by Pope Francis in an apostolic letter marking the 400th anniversary of his birth. We learn more about his brief but remarkable life, and why Pope Francis invites us to pay attention to this ‘tireless seeker of truth’.

Another man of faith and science is Fr Simon Wayte MGL, who this week explores Vatican II’s beautiful vision of Mary as both Mother of God and Mother of the Church. (His reflections are based on his recent talk in the Engaging Your Faith series hosted by Catholic Theological College, which also recently celebrated its Annual Mass and Prize-Giving Ceremony.)

The opportunity to reflect on Mary’s ‘yes’ and her cooperation with the Holy Spirit is timely as the world’s youth prepare to descend on Lisbon, Portugal, for Word Youth Day. This week we take a look at some of the places our pilgrims might visit in this beautiful and historic city, and we also explore the origins of WYD.

As Pope John Paul II repeatedly reminded the huge crowds who gathered for those first global youth events, we will find everything we are seeking, and more, in Jesus Christ.

For more, visit the Melbourne Catholic news and stories page or follow us on Facebook.
 
‘They are your brothers and sisters’: Catholics pray for refugees
On Tuesday evening, 115 people ‘gathered’ to pray for refugees at an online prayer service hosted by the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office as part of Refugee Week. Participants reflected on this year’s theme of ‘Finding Freedom’ and on what it means to journey together as the Church and to care for refugees.
 
 
‘Tireless seeker of truth’: Pope remembers Blaise Pascal
To mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of the great philosopher and scientist Blaise Pascal, Pope Francis has released an apostolic letter commemorating the life, achievements and faith of this ‘tireless seeker of truth’. From the world’s first public transportation system to the calculator to the modern syringe, Pascal’s contributions were significant, as were his insights into the true meaning of life.
 
 
Church leaders in Australia welcome Synod working document
Written by: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC)
On Tuesday evening, the Secretariat of the Synod published the Instrumentum Laboris, or working document, for the first session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops—commonly referred to as the Synod on Synodality. As the Church approaches the first session of the Synod, Australian Catholics are being encouraged to continue their engagement with the global synodal journey through prayer, ongoing discernment and local conversations.
 
 
Called to something higher: the origins of World Youth Day
At the heart of Pope John Paul II’s original vision for World Youth Day was the conviction that young people could discover in Christ the deepest meaning of their lives.
 
 
Lisbon 2023: What will our pilgrims see and experience?
What are our World Youth Day pilgrims likely to see and experience when they arrive in Lisbon—a city with a particularly rich and multilayered history. We take a look at some of Lisbon's most famous and striking monuments, including St George’s Castle, the Jerónimos Monastery and more.
 
 
Mary: Mother of God and Mother of the Church in Vatican II
Written by: Fr Simon Wayte MGL
In its document ‘Lumen Gentium’, the Second Vatican Council offered us a beautiful vision of Mary, not only as Mother of God but also as Mother of the Church. Fr Simon Wayte MGL explores historical developments in the Church’s teaching on Mary in the lead-up to the Council, and how as disciples we are invited to entrust our lives to her loving care.
 
 
Remembering ‘overburdened’ seafarers on Sea Sunday
Sea Sunday, on 9 July, is an important opportunity to remember and pray for the seafarers whose tireless work in very challenging conditions benefits us all. We look at some of the ways we might support all those who live and work at sea, as well as those who minister to them.
 
 
Theology College celebrates student achievers
Written by: Catholic Theological College (CTC)
On Thursday 8 June, as part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, Catholic Theological College celebrated its Annual Mass and Prize-Giving Ceremony—an opportunity to recognise this year’s graduates and prize-winners and to honour the contributions of two long-serving faculty members.
 
 
‘Apart from Jesus Christ, we understand neither our life nor our death, neither God nor ourselves. Hence without the Scriptures, which speak solely of Jesus Christ, we know nothing and we see only darkness.’
 
 
Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)
on Jesus Christ as the answer to the mystery of human existence
 
Upcoming events
 
Celebrity organ recital featuring Roger Sayer, St Patrick’s Cathedral
Friday 14 July 2023
6.00pm–7.00pm
Award-winning organist and former Director of Music at London’s Temple Church, Roger Sayer will visit St Patrick’s Cathedral in July to present a grand organ recital. Sayer is at the forefront of British choral and organ music, known also for his performance as organ soloist for Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-nominated score ...
 
 
Leading Missionary Renewal: Vital and Vibrant Parishes
Saturday 15 July 2023
10.00am–3.00pm
An enriching day of prayer, music, inspiring talks and team workshop activities for clergy and lay leaders. An opportunity to:explore parish renewal in light of Take the Way of the Gospel, covering key topics to envision, enthuse and equipidentify the needs and next steps for your local circumstances hear ...
 
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: workshop day
Saturday 22 July 2023
10.00am–3.30pm
An in-person seminar to explore reasons and ways to place the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at the heart of parish renewal. Clergy, RCIA teams and interested parishioners are warmly invited to attend. Rev. Dr Elio Capra is a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He is ...
 
 
Melbourne Catholic Professionals luncheon
Thursday 17 August 2023
12.00pm–2.00pm
Join us for the second Melbourne Catholic Professionals (MCP) event of the year! MCP creates opportunities for Catholic professional men and women to network and support the life and mission of the Church in Melbourne. Through its program of luncheon events—hosted by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli—MCP draws people together from ...
 
 
‘Jesus in the Four Gospels’, with the Catholic School of Evangelisation
Wednesday 28 June 2023, 9.00am
– Saturday 1 July 2023, 4.30pm
Mark, Matthew, Luke and John are four friends who carry us to Jesus who heals and encourages us to reach out to others. Mark presents Jesus as the Good News, who performs 18 miracles and when dying on the cross is truly recognised as the Son of God. Matthew presents ...
 
 
CSS webinar: ‘The Church, Catholic Social Teaching and Engagement with First Nations Peoples’
Thursday 29 June 2023
4.00pm–5.00pm
Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV), in conjunction with Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), is pleased to invite you to join for a series of webinars to learn more about the upcoming referendum on Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Voice to Parliament. The webinars will ...
 
 
‘God’s Presence—Our Present’, with the Catholic School of Evangelisation
Monday 3 July 2023, 8.45am
– Tuesday 4 July 2023, 5.00pm
This course acknowledges Pope Francis’ tremendous gift to the Church—Evangelii Gaudium. It identifies the greatest gift we can receive—the knowledge and experience of God’s love and presence in our midst. Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God. They will learn how to use their particular gifts ...
 
 
‘The Life of Moses—Beyond the Desert’, with the Catholic School of Evangelisation
Thursday 6 July 2023, 9.00am
– Sunday 9 July 2023, 5.00pm
This course is the study of the life of Moses, especially as it models the attitudes required for Christian leaders. It will take participants through the Schools of Pharaoh, of Midian and of the Desert to learn specific spiritual and leadership lessons. The course unveils the deep depression of Moses ...
 

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.
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Melbourne Catholic team will work hard to deliver good quality information in the fields you have specified upon subscription. However, if you decide that you no longer want to receive such emails from us, feel free to click the link below.
Unsubscribe View in the browser