Always calling us

God is always calling to us, encouraging us to come closer, inviting us to share our lives and our talents. Each call of God is unique, and while it might be surprising, it is always trustworthy.

This week, we hear how Sr Isobel Stewart found her true home with the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters and about the important role that friendship played—and continues to play—in her vocation to religious life.

Zambian maternal and child heath advocate Abraham Muma was recently in Australia as a guest of Catholic Mission. Inspired by his deep faith, he initially thought he might be destined for the priesthood, but God had other ideas, calling him to work that saves and transforms lives in a different way.

And 65 years since it first opened wide its doors, we visit St Mary’s House of Welcome in Fitzroy to learn more about this remarkable ministry of hospitality and accompaniment, a response by the Daughters of Charity all those years ago to God’s call to bring hope.

‘That’s so you’: how friendship shaped one woman’s call to religious life
Sr Isobel Stewart, a young Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL) sister, credits her friends with helping her discern her calling, and affirming her choice.
Hope does not disappoint
A warm welcome on Brunswick Street: 65 years of hope and hospitality
St Mary’s House of Welcome, on busy Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, has just chalked up 65 years serving the community. Founded by the Daughters of Charity, it is a safe, welcoming space for hundreds dealing with the many curveballs life can deliver.
Finding hope in every smile: Zambian health advocate’s lifesaving mission
Abraham Muma recently visited Australia on a speaking tour hosted by Catholic Mission as part of its campaign to raise awareness and support for their expanding partnership with the Diocese of Mpika—a mission-driven collaboration to combat the region’s critical maternal health crisis. At the heart of this project is a belief in sustainable, community-led change, grounded in faith and compassion.
MACS launches Vision for Engagement, focused on conditions essential for learning
With the launch of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools’ new Vision for Engagement, teachers and students in Australia’s largest non-government school system are set to benefit from a range of measures to tackle classroom behaviour, school attendance, and the increasingly negative impact of devices and social media on young Victorians’ mental health.
Lift up your hearts: the joy of solemnity
Having just celebrated Trinity Sunday, and as we prepare for the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, Christian Bergmann asks how we might reconcile the liturgy’s call to ‘solemnity’ with a Gospel of joy. Reflecting on the deep, broad and sustaining joy to be found in the Eucharist, he writes that the joy we experience in the presence of true love—the kind of joy that lifts our hearts—‘is by no means at odds with solemnity’.
Pope: sport reveals beauty of God, teaches teamwork, humility and hope
Sport, with its demands for self-giving, collaboration and perseverance, reflects the beauty and dynamic love of God, Pope Leo XIV told athletes and sports professionals at a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on 15 June to conclude the Jubilee of Sport and celebrate the feast of the Holy Trinity.
Years of ‘joyful’ service recognised in King’s Birthday honours
Bill McFarlane OAM has worked for decades for the Geelong community, using his financial skills to help Church-run schools and hospitals operate smoothly. His service to the community has been recongised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours.
‘I was like, “Wow, that’s my friend. She’s doing God’s will. That’s so cool.” It was just really bold and countercultural.’
Jenelle, one of Sr Isobel Stewart’s ‘besties’
on the decision of her friend to join the Missionaries of God's Love Sisters
Come work with us

Applications are currently open for the following positions:

Archdiocese of Melbourne

  • Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV) Coordinator, Thornbury

Parishes

  • Parish Bookkeeper, St Joseph’s Parish, Newport
  • Parish Coordinator, St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Melbourne CBD

Other

  • Part-time Accounts Clerk, Newman College, Parkville

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

Upcoming events
Six30 Holy Hour
Thursday 17 July 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 various venues will be used for Six30 Holy Hour throughout 2025. Please check venue details each week on the Events page of Melbourne Catholic ...
Lumen—A New Event for Catholic Young Adults in Melbourne
Friday 20 June 2025
6.30pm–9.30pm
Lumen is a place for Catholic young adults (ages 18–35) from across Melbourne to grow in faith and build authentic connections. Beginning with adoration, followed by food and relaxed conversation, the evening features a talk from a local speaker on faith and Catholic life. 6.30pm: adoration 7.15pm: pizza and socials ...
Melbourne Corpus Christi Procession
Sunday 22 June 2025
11.00am–3.00pm
On the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), all are invited to this special Corpus Christi Procession as the Archdiocese of Melbourne publicly and joyfully bears witness to Christ—the hope who does not disappoint—in this Year of Jubilee. Following the 11am Mass at St ...
Through Our Eyes: VMCH Photography Exhibition
Monday 23 June 2025, 10.00am
– Friday 4 July 2025, 3.00pm
A picture tells a thousand words. Come along to VMCH’s debut photography exhibition, Through Our Eyes, celebrating the talents of people with disability and giving an unfiltered glimpse into their everyday lives. While one in five Australians have a disability, many feel unseen and undervalued. This exhibition shifts the focus ...
CDF Catholic Connect: Setting the Foundations for an AI Enabled Future
Thursday 26 June 2025
12.30pm–3.30pm
In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, purpose-driven organisations face the challenge of integrating innovation while staying true to their core values. CDF invites you to a transformative Catholic Connect workshop that explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to enhance mission-driven work. This session will delve into ...
Encounter—St Benedict’s, Burwood
Friday 27 June 2025
6.30pm–9.30pm
Tailor-made for secondary school students, these evenings are an opportunity to encounter Jesus with prayer, fellowship, food, testimonies and a whole lot of fun. The evening will include adoration and Reconciliation. Dinner is provided. Registrations close Thursday 26 June, so book your tickets today! Please note: Parents/guardians will be required ...
Combined Societies of Mary: Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Friday 27 June 2025
7.00pm–9.00pm
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus means entering his Heart, which is infinite in love and mercy, and allowing ourselves to be enveloped by his intense, infinite and burning love. With this in mind, the Combined Societies of Mary warmly invite you to come along to a very special ...
ACU’s Big Sing for a Big Cause 2025
Friday 27 June 2025
7.00pm–9.00pm
Australian Catholic University’s Big Sing for a Big Cause returns in 2025 with two fundraising concerts for mental health and wellbeing advocacy—at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday 27 June (livestreamed), and at Preston Market on Saturday 28 June. The ACU Melbourne Choir, comprising students, staff and alumni, will be joined ...
Vibrant Parish Series—Fellowship: Hospitality that Transforms Hosts and Guests
Tuesday 1 July 2025
6.30pm–9.30pm
What does it mean to welcome others? In this instalment of the Vibrant Parish Series, Fr Chris Monaghan CP, President of Yarra Theological Union at the University of Divinity, will reflect on moments of hospitality in Sacred Scripture. Jesus often receives the hospitality of others, inviting us to consider how ...
2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Mass
Sunday 6 July 2025
11.00am–12.00pm
On the first Sunday of July each year, the Catholic Church in Australia observes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. On this day we gather as one to honour and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of our First Nations peoples to our Catholic Church. The theme for this ...
Camino Domini: A Pilgrimage Walk from Loss to Hope
Saturday 12 July 2025
2.00pm–5.00pm
Join St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Parish as they host the first ‘Camino Domini: A pilgrimage walk from loss to hope’ to celebrate the feast of St Mary Magdalen this Jubilee Year. The walk will conclude with a penitential service and benediction at St Mary Magdalen’s Church at 3.30pm, followed by ...
2025 NAIDOC Mass at St Francis’ Church
Sunday 13 July 2025
11.00am–12.00pm
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria warmly invites you to the 2025 NAIDOC Mass at St Francis’ Church. Marking the end of NAIDOC Week (6–13 July), the Mass is an opportunity to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Banner image: artwork by Pollyanne Carter.
Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025
Sunday 30 November 2025
– Tuesday 2 December 2025
ACYF returns to Melbourne at the end of 2025! Capping off a rich program of Jubilee events in our Archdiocese this 2025 Jubilee Year, the Australian Catholic Youth Festival is a fun and faith-filled national festival. It provides young people from Year 9 to 25 years old with the opportunity ...

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities, visit the Melbourne Catholic events page and follow our social media accounts.

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

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