The final assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia came to an end last Saturday, with Archbishop Timothy Costelloe reminding Members that the task of discerning what the Holy Spirit is asking of us continues throughout our lives.

In a letter to Christ’s faithful in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli reflects on the ways the Plenary Council prayerfully sought to envision and embody a 'more missionary and Christ-centred Church in Australia’. He invites us all to engage more deeply with the fruits of the Council by reading and discussing two significant documents: the Decrees of the Council, setting out the motions that were passed, and the final summary statement from the Assembly of what occurred during the week

We've also also put together four highlights from the Assembly, unpacking the nature of the Council and some of the resolutions that, pending Rome’s approval, the Australian Church has committed to.

Discerning ways to renew and revitalise the Church’s mission was a central focus of the Council, and this week, we hear about a couple of local initiatives that are doing just that. An exciting new sacraments of initiation resource, Journeying Together, provides engaging and age-appropriate online tools to help parents accompany their children on the journey of faith formation. And in greater Geelong and Melbourne’s north, two groups of parishes have banded together to pilot the Alpha process, helping people to meet Jesus.

This week we also hear the story of Frank Di Blasi, a big-hearted man whose ethos of service has enriched the Italian community in Melbourne—especially the lives of the elderly—for many years.

At their annual conference, Melbourne’s clergy also recently had the opportunity to hear from the Archbishop of Łódz in Poland, Grzegorz Rhyś, who spoke about the nature of mission and why the Church evangelises, reflecting that mission grows out of our discovery of Christ and from a heart of mercy, not a response to crisis.

This week is also the feast day of St Bonaventure, the ‘second founder’ of the Franciscans. We take a look at three spiritual lessons we can learn from him.

Archbishop Comensoli’s letter to the faithful reflects on the Plenary Council
Written by: Archbishop Peter A Comensoli
Following the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Australia, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has written a letter to the Church in Melbourne reflecting on the events and fruits of the Council.
Journeying Together: a new sacraments of initiation resource for the domestic Church
Written by: Proclaim: Office for Mission Renewal
We announce the launch of the new Melbourne Archdiocesan sacraments of initiation resource, Journeying Together, which can be found at sacraments.melbournecatholic.org.
4 takeaways from the Plenary Council
Last week was a big one for the Catholic Church in Australia with our Fifth Plenary Council, an opportunity to collectively discern where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church. There were many highlights to the week, but here are just four takeaways.
Frank Di Blasi: celebrating a lifetime of service
Written by: Fiona Basile
Frank Di Blasi is a man with a big heart and boundless energy, especially when it comes to serving members of the Italian community in Melbourne, and beyond. The 77-year-old, originally from Vizzini in the province of Catania, Sicily, has called Melbourne home for the past 60 years. In this time, he has accumulated a very long list of works and achievements that emphasise his love for and commitment to his local community, as well as his Italian heritage and culture.
‘Mercy’ is the reason we evangelise, Polish Archbishop tells Melbourne clergy
At the 2022 Clergy Conference for Melbourne clergy, the Archbishop of Łódz, Grzegorz Rhyś, reflected on why it is the Church evangelises. We go out, he said, because we have discovered Christ and want to take part in his mission.
3 important spiritual lessons from St Bonaventure
What insights can a medieval philosopher like St Bonaventure give us today? Here we take a look at three important spiritual lessons from Bonaventure’s famous work, ‘The Journey of the Mind to God’.
Archbishop Costelloe commences as president of Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Written by: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC)
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has officially taken over the presidency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, two months after being elected to the post.
‘I also think, when you give things to other people, whether it’s anything at all, to help them, to care for them, to look after them, you get back so much joy within yourself. Questa è una bella cosa. This is a beautiful thing.’
Frank Di Blasi
on his attitude to life and service
Upcoming Events
2022 Ordination Mass at Patrick's Cathedral
Friday 15 July 2022
7.30pm–9.30pm
Join us for the Ordination to the Priesthood Mass of transitional deacons Andrew Kwiatkowski, Brian Muling and Ignatius Tan at St Patrick's Cathedral. As St Alphonsus Liguori once said, ‘The happiest man in the world is he who abandons himself to the will of God and receives all things, whether ...
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mass
Sunday 17 July 2022
10.30am–11.30am
Join the Carmelites in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. To include the names of any mothers, living or deceased, in the Mass, please email David Hofman at communications@carmelites.org.au or call (03) 9690 8822.
Anniversary Mass for Couples at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Sunday 17 July 2022
11.00am–12.00pm
Are you celebrating 25, 40, 50, or 60–70 years of marriage this year? Or did you celebrate one of those milestones in the last two years of lockdown? You and your family are invited to join us for the Anniversary Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Couples who register will receive ...
Celebrating Catholic Funerals in the Face of Secularism, COVID-19 and Other Challenges with Rev Dr Paul Turner
Monday 18 July 2022
10.00am–11.30am
Join Rev Dr Paul Turner, Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, and Director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City, and the ACU Centre for Liturgy in an online public lecture to discuss how the culture surrounding Catholic ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
‘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 . . .
Gratitude is the beginning of love: Wisdom from the Carmelites
The Carmelites have a rich mystical tradition. What can they teach us, living in the world? St Thérèse of Lisieux teaches us that what God wants is gratitude and surrender.