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Uniting a divided world

With the eyes of the world upon him, Pope Leo officially embarked on his new pontificate on Sunday, inviting the Church and the world to come together in unity and peace—themes picked up again yesterday in his private audience with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who officially invited him to Australia in 2028.

This week we explore the rich and evolving legacy of Catholic Social Teaching in light of the Pope's choice of a name that evokes Pope Leo XIII and his encyclical Rerum novarum, and we hear how Pope Leo's words at the recent Jubilee of Eastern Churches provided a spark of hope and renewed sense of purpose for Christian communities whose experience is often marked by persecution and conflict.

On the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, we delve into the history of this significant turning point for the Church and look at the ways the Nicene Creed continues to bring Christians together across denominational divides.

And as part of our 'Better Together' series, we hear from seminarian Patrick Harris and Fr Michael Gallacher about a friendship that began at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Perth and that has become stronger through their shared passion for faith and footy, helping Patrick to discern his vocation along the way.

At inauguration Mass, Pope Leo calls for ‘united church’ in a wounded world

Launching his papacy with a call for reconciliation and communion, Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as the successor of St Peter by calling for ‘a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world’. More than 200,000 people—including a number of distinguished Australian guests—came together in St Peter's Square and the surrounding streets in Rome to celebrate the Pope’s inauguration Mass on 18 May.

Continue reading: At inauguration Mass, Pope Leo calls for ‘united church’ in a wounded world

PM meets with Pope Leo, invites him to Australia for Eucharistic Congress

In a historic moment, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, extending a formal invitation for the pontiff to visit Sydney in 2028 for the International Eucharistic Congress.

Continue reading: PM meets with Pope Leo, invites him to Australia for Eucharistic Congress

‘An icon in words’: Christians celebrate 1,700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea

The Christian world is marking a momentous anniversary this year: 1,700 years since the beginning of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea. This landmark event in the history of the Church gave rise to the Nicene Creed, a foundation stone for all of Christianity and a blueprint for its future.

Continue reading: ‘An icon in words’: Christians celebrate 1,700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea

Better Together

Patrick Harris and Fr Michael Gallacher

Patrick Harris was in Year 11 when he attended the last Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Perth. He wasn’t taking his faith ‘overly seriously’ but at the festival he was struck by the witness and pastoral nature of one of the group’s chaplains, Fr Michael Gallacher. When Patrick decided to pursue his calling to the priesthood, his friendship with Fr Gallacher meant he was well placed to receive support and advice.

Continue reading: Patrick Harris and Fr Michael Gallacher

What’s in a name? Two Leos and the evolving legacy of Rerum novarum

On 15 May—less than a week after the election of Pope Leo XIV—the Church celebrated the 134th anniversary of Rerum novarum. Written by the last pope to choose that name, Pope Leo XIII, it is arguably one of the most significant encyclicals of the modern era. We speak with theologian Dr Sandie Cornish about the legacy of this remarkable document and about how Catholic Social Teaching continues to evolve to meet the needs of the times.

Continue reading: What’s in a name? Two Leos and the evolving legacy of Rerum novarum

‘Full of beautiful experiences’: 90-year-old Rosemary’s six decades of volunteering

National Volunteer Week runs from 19 to 26 May this year, highlighting the important role of volunteers across Australia. And you’d be hard pressed to find a longer serving—or more passionate—volunteer than Rosemary Parfrey. At age 90, she’s clocked up an incredible 60 years of volunteering with Catholic aged and disability organisation VMCH—and she’s not done yet!

Continue reading: ‘Full of beautiful experiences’: 90-year-old Rosemary’s six decades of volunteering

Hope does not disappoint

Eastern Churches find new hope in meeting with Pope Leo XIV

In a historic audience, Pope Leo XIV met with representatives from Eastern Catholic Churches during the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches, which was celebrated from 12 to 14 May as part of the 2025 Jubilee Year. The Pope’s words to the gathered Church leaders provided a spark of hope for communities whose experiences are often marked by persecution, exile and war.

Continue reading: Eastern Churches find new hope in meeting with Pope Leo XIV

‘To see the face of God’: Les Mis ‘arena spectacular’ comes to Melbourne

‘It’s difficult to put into words the experience of the Les Misérables 40th Anniversary Arena Spectacular,’ Christian Bergmann writes. The music is powerful, the performances moving, and like all good art, he says, the story focuses not just on one man's journey to redemption but on the whole of life, launching us on the most essential quest of all, the quest for God.

Continue reading: ‘To see the face of God’: Les Mis ‘arena spectacular’ comes to Melbourne

Sixty years on, the message of Vatican II still resonates

When around 2,000 bishops from across the globe sat down in St Peter’s Basilica in October 1962, they knew it was a momentous occasion. What they did not know was that this Second Vatican Council—nearly 100 years after the first—would run for more than three years, span two papacies and still have repercussions for Catholics and their Church 60 years later.

Continue reading: Sixty years on, the message of Vatican II still resonates

‘Servants of the mystery of God and the Church’: new Australian Catholic Deacons Association launched

A new association has been established this month to support the growing number of ordained deacons in the Catholic Church in Australia. ‘The time has come for our deacons to have their own, independent association to champion our vocation, to provide collegial support to deacons and their wives and those in formation, and to offer benefits to members,' says Deacon Tony Hoban, the new president of the Australian Catholic Deacons Association.

Continue reading: ‘Servants of the mystery of God and the Church’: new Australian Catholic Deacons Association launched

‘I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.’

Pope Leo XIV

committing himself to humble service and Christian unity at his inauguration Mass

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Parishes

Parish Administration Assistant—St Ignatius/St James Parish, Richmond
Stewardship Coordinator / Finance Officer—Brunswick Moreland Catholic Community, Brunswick
Administrative Officer—St Bernard’s Parish, Belmont, Geelong
Parish Bookkeeper—St Joseph’s Parish, Newport
Parish Secretary—St Joseph’s Parish, Newport and Spotswood
Parish Coordinator—St Paul’s and St Oliver Plunkett, Coburg and Pascoe Vale

Other

Youth Ministry Officer, Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst, Bendigo
Housekeeping Attendant and Handyperson (two roles)—Newman College, Parkville
Cleaner and Housekeeper, Moonee Ponds

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

Director of Pastoral Life and Mission, Diocese of Darwin. (Find out more here.)

Upcoming events

Six30 Holy Hour—*Please note venue change to St Mary, Star of the Sea*

Thursday 22 May 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 due to another event at the Cathedral, the venue has changed to St Mary, Star of the Sea, West Melbourne. For more information, email ...