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Devoted to God

Devotion takes many forms. It can be expressed through our vocations, in our care for others, and in the ways we use our time and talents. It can bring communities together in a shared sense of purpose, and it can be a deep source of joy and comfort, in good times and through life’s struggles.

In this week’s stories, we celebrate the devotion of Melbourne’s newest priest, Fr Jean-Sébastien Géry, who gave his life to the service of God’s people when he was ordained at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday morning. Speaking at the end of the Ordination Mass, he described the priesthood as ‘a gift’.

We give thanks for 150 years of devoted service by the Presentation Sisters of Victoria, who recently gathered with friends and well-wishers at St Mary’s Church in St Kilda East to celebrate this impressive milestone.

And we hear about the remarkable devotion of one couple to Our Lady, and how it inspired an annual festa that has brought the Yarra Valley’s Italian community together for 24 years.

‘It is a gift’: Fr Jean-Sébastien Géry ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne

The bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral rang out on the morning of Saturday 21 September, announcing the imminent ordination of Melbourne’s newest priest, Fr Jean-Sébastien Géry, as a spirit of joy and gratitude filled the Cathedral. At the end of the Mass, thanking all those who had gathered to support him, Fr Jean-Sébastien described the priesthood as 'a gift—a gift I have received through you, the people of God. And it is a gift for you, from the Father himself.'

Continue reading: ‘It is a gift’: Fr Jean-Sébastien Géry ordained to the priesthood in Melbourne

‘Life to the full’: celebrating 150 years of the Presentation Sisters of Victoria

To mark the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Presentation Sisters of Victoria, more than 250 people recently came together for a special Mass at St Mary’s Catholic Church in St Kilda East. Congregation leader Sr Helen Carboon PBVM welcomed those gathered for the celebration, noting that the first Presentation Sisters came to Australia ‘filled with hope and with promise’ —promise that ‘has become blessing for all those whose lives have been touched and shaped by those first sisters and all who have followed in their footsteps, living the Presentation mission of “life to the full for all”.’

Continue reading: ‘Life to the full’: celebrating 150 years of the Presentation Sisters of Victoria

‘Viva Maria!’ How the Yarra Valley’s Italian community honour Our Lady every year

For 24 years, the community at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt Evelyn has celebrated an Italian festa, a joyful day that begins with Mass and a procession in honour of Our Lady of the Annunciation. Hand-crafted in Italy after the original in Oppido Mamertina, a town in Reggio Calabria, the parish’s statue of Madonna Maria SS Annunziata has a special place in the parish and in the life of the Costa family, who played an important role in acquiring the statue and in the origins of the festa.

Continue reading: ‘Viva Maria!’ How the Yarra Valley’s Italian community honour Our Lady every year

Mannix College’s award-winning ‘Green Cuisine’ initiative cares for our common home

Mannix College, a Catholic residential college at Monash University, has collected a number of nominations and awards this year for its ‘Green Cuisine: Waste Not, Want Not’ program, showing what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared commitment to caring for our common home.

Continue reading: Mannix College’s award-winning ‘Green Cuisine’ initiative cares for our common home

Be pilgrims, not tourists in life, Pope tells young people

To fully experience love and hope, young people must approach the journey of life as pilgrims and not just sightseers, Pope Francis said. ‘Do not be like superficial sightseers, blind to the beauty around you, never discovering the meaning of the roads you take, interested only in a few fleeting moments to capture in a selfie,’ the Pope said in a message to young people ahead of the local celebrations of World Youth Day on 24 November.

Continue reading: Be pilgrims, not tourists in life, Pope tells young people

Around our schools: compassion, creativity and care for the earth

Across Melbourne, our Catholic schools continue to offer students opportunities to engage with their world and their communities in creative and compassionate ways. Of the countless inspiring projects and initiatives happening right across our schools, we share three from the past month, from St Roch’s Primary School in Glen Iris, St Jude’s Primary School in Scoresby and St Joseph’s Primary School in Chelsea.

Continue reading: Around our schools: compassion, creativity and care for the earth

World Mission Month: acts of kindness and faith in action

In October, Catholic Mission and the wider Catholic community celebrate World Mission Month, an opportunity to recognise missionaries around the world who are reaching out to those at the margins—like those facing homelessness who find a warm welcome at the House of Mercy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Continue reading: World Mission Month: acts of kindness and faith in action

Caritas Internationalis joins forces with Church agencies to address imminent famine in Sudan

With 25.6 million people in Sudan—more than half of the population—now facing acute hunger, and significant shortfalls in the UN’s 2024 Sudan Response Plan, Sudan’s Catholic bishops have expressed their concern that ‘the international community has forgotten the Sudan crisis.’ In response, Caritas Internationalis and other Christian agencies in the region have launched a joint appeal to raise urgently needed funds and reach more communities in need.

Continue reading: Caritas Internationalis joins forces with Church agencies to address imminent famine in Sudan

‘They were always praying, “Our Lady, please give us strength to get through this” or “Our Lady, thank you for helping us through this.” They didn’t just pray through the bad times; they prayed through the good.’

Nina Costa, parishioner at St Mary’s, Mt Evelyn

on her parents’ prayerfulness and their devotion to Our Lady of the Annunciation

Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Animation Consultant, East Melbourne (including travel to the Western Region)
Library Manager—Mannix Library, East Melbourne
Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, East Melbourne
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV) Coordinator, Thornbury
Relationship Support Officer, CDF, East Melbourne

Parish positions

Parish Secretary, Mary Help of Christians Parish, Altona
Parish Secretary, St Joseph Paris, Newport
Pastoral Worker at St Luke’s Parish, Lalor

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

Upcoming events

Six30 Holy Hour at St Patrick’s Cathedral

Thursday 10 October 2024 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. For more information, email udisciple@cam.org.au or call 9926 5677.