In every circumstance, and in every stage of life, God is calling us to come closer, inviting us to be caught up in the great adventure of life in the Spirit. This week, we explore some of the many ways that this call is being heard and lived out in the lives of God’s people.

On Friday 15 July, a beautiful liturgy was celebrated at St Patrick‘s Cathedral in which three men were ordained to the priesthood. In his homily, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said that priests, as shepherds, need to learn how to live after the heart of the Good Shepherd himself.

Couples also had the opportunity to renew their marriage vows at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 17 July. There were more than 40 couples in attendance, celebrating their 25th, 50th or even 60th anniversary of marriage. Reflecting on this beautiful event, some couples shared how touching it was to be able to renew these sacred vows.

And this Sunday 24 July, we celebrate the second annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, instituted by Pope Francis last year. In his message this year, Pope Francis reflects on the need to see ageing not as a condemnation but as a blessing. He invited grandparents and the elderly to become ‘artisans of the revolution of tenderness’ in our world.

We also hear the inspiring story of Roseanne Rofaeel, the founder of Christmas on the Streets, a non-profit organisation dedicated to serving the homeless of Melbourne. Having fled from Iraq as a child with her family, she remains inspired by the witness of Mother Teresa to serve Christ in the poor and forgotten.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has officially begun his role as President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. In a recent interview, he expressed gratitude at the trust the bishops had placed in him, and reflected on the challenges facing the Church today and the legacy of the Plenary Council.

Finally, this week, on Friday 22 July, we celebrate the feast day of St Mary Magdalene. Fr Andy Hamilton SJ reflects on how this woman, inspiring so much great art and literature, offers us a vision of ‘a friendship that is also discipleship’.
 
Called to be ‘a light of hope and joy in this world’: three new priests ordained
On the evening of Friday 15 July, the bells rang out from St Patrick’s Cathedral, joyfully anticipating the ordination of three new priests. In a beautiful and moving liturgy, Rev. Andrew John Kwiatkowski, Rev. Brian Anthony Muling and Rev. Ignatius Boon Kim Tan were ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.
 
 
Pope Francis to the elderly: ‘Be artisans of the revolution of tenderness!’
For the second World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis encourages people not to face old age with grim resignation, but to see it as a gift, embracing their vocation as artisans of the revolution of tenderness.
 
 
Archbishop Tim Costelloe reflects on his new role as ACBC President
Written by: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC)
As he commences his tenure as president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB spoke with the ACBC’s Media Blog about the Plenary Council, for which he served as president, on the place of the Church in a society increasingly rejecting faith and on the role of bishops in the 21st century.
 
 
‘Thank you for your marriage’: Couples celebrate anniversaries at St Patrick’s
On Sunday 17 July, the Archdiocese of Melbourne celebrated an Anniversary Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral for married couples commemorating significant anniversaries. Couples renewed their marital vows and received a blessing from the Archbishop.
 
 
Christmas on the Streets: serving the poorest of the poor in Melbourne
Written by: Andrea Cano Botero
Roseanne Rofaeel is the founder of Christmas on the Streets (COTS)—a not-for-profit organisation supporting women and men experiencing homelessness in Australia. Her story reminds us that each of us is called to love and serve our neighbour, and to honour the innate beauty and dignity of those we encounter on our way through life.
 
 
St Mary Magdalene and the gift of deep friendship
Written by: Andrew Hamilton SJ
On 22 July, we celebrate the feast of St Mary Magdalene. The Mary Magdalene we meet in John’s Gospel is a woman above all of deep faith and with a gift of deep friendship—a friendship that is also discipleship, a friendship that passes easily into a call to act within a community.
 
 
‘The Church has a wisdom to offer our world as a precious gift. But gifts can only be offered, never forced on people ... We are called to reveal the beauty of the gift both by what we say and what we do.’
 
 
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe
on how the Church might continue to influence or shape Australian society
 
Upcoming Events
 
Udisciple Focus Fridays
Friday 29 July 2022
9.00am–3.00pm
University students across Melbourne are invited to join the uDisciple Team for a time of study, fraternity and prayer. Schedule 9:30am - Mass 10:00am - Coffee and Catch-up 10:15am - Study Block I 12:00md - Angelus and Rosary 12:20pm - Lunch Break (Lunch provided) 1:00pm – 3:00pm - Study Block ...
 
 
Mass for the Canonisation and 80th Anniversary of St Titus’ Death
Sunday 31 July 2022
10.30am–11.30am
Join the Carmelites in celebrating the Canonisation of their newest saint, Titus Brandsma, canonised by Pope Francis on 15 May this year. Fr Brandsma was a Dutch Carmelite priest, university professor, ecumenist, lecturer, newspaper journalist and editor in the Netherlands before and during World War II. As delegate of the ...
 
 
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre open days
Saturday 6 August 2022
10.00am–4.00pm
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre (MMHC) East Melbourne a place of inspiration and vitality, manifests and promotes the spirit and charism of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. MMHC provides, through education, hospitality and charitable works, opportunities for all to experience and be challenged by ...
 
 
St Patrick's Cathedral Concert Featuring Thomas Grubb
Friday 5 August 2022
6.00pm–7.00pm
Having worked as a producer for many of Australia’s major orchestras and musicians, Thomas Grubb presents an exciting Grand Organ Recital at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The program will include selected works by Buxtehude, Froberger, Bach, Greenbaum, Mendelssohn and Newcombe. Cost: $25 tickets online, or at the door. Children under 1 ...
 
 
Jesus in the Eucharist
Sunday 14 August 2022
1.45pm–5.00pm
Explore the centrality of the Eucharist at this afternoon event organised by Holy Eucharist & St Mary's Parish in Malvern East. Be inspired and guided in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Timetable 1:45 pm - Arrive, 2:00 pm - The Eucharist in the Context of the Mass with ...
 
 
The Archbishop's Dinner: An Initiative of the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria
Friday 19 August 2022
7.00pm–9.00pm
Join the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria to celebrate the 22nd annual Archbishop’s Dinner. The Dinner is held each year to raise funds for the Priests Support and Education Fund. This fund was established by the Knights of the Southern Cross to assist in the funding and education of ...
 
 
NCEC Conference: The Future is Listening (Save the Date)
Sunday 4 September 2022, 10.00am
– Wednesday 7 September 2022, 5.00pm
The 2022 National Catholic Education Conference is taking place this September, and a limited number of Super Early Bird registrations are now available. The National Catholic Education Commission hosts a conference every four or five years in a major Australian city. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is proud to host ...
 
 
‘Following the Way of St Mary MacKillop’ pilgrimage
Monday 17 October 2022, 9.00am
– Wednesday 26 October 2022, 5.00pm
In collaboration with Harvest Journeys, Fr Jacob Raju and the parish team at Holy Trinity Parish Bentleigh are coordinating a parish pilgrimage, Following the Way of St Mary MacKillop, our first Australian saint. You are invited to join Fr Jacob and others as they travel from Melbourne to Adelaide on ...
 
 
‘In the Footsteps of St Mary MacKillop’ pilgrimage
Tuesday 17 October 2023
– Saturday 28 October 2023
Led by the Sisters of St Joseph, this pilgrimage is an invitation for prayer and reflection. Today, the Sisters of St Joseph recognise that each of us is on a daily journey of faith but there is a time in life when we feel called to join with others; seeking ...
 
P.S. Before you go . . .
 
Love knows our ‘secret name’: Wisdom for marriage from the von Hildebrands
Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand were two of the twentieth century’s most influential Catholics when it comes to meditations on spousal love and the mystery of man and woman. One beautiful insight they offer is that love, far from blinding us, actually grants us unique insight into the beloved, changing most especially how we see them and their faults.
 

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