Listen and respond

Each of us is called to be attentive to God’s voice and to respond in our own way.

In the lead-up to World Social Media Day this Friday, singer and co-host of the popular Catholic Influencers podcast Alyssa Agius speaks to us about how we can cut through all the ‘noise’ on social media and engage in ways that might help us hear and respond to God’s call.

Cora Lijnders OAM, the second woman at St Jude the Apostle Scoresby to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia in as many years, has quietly responded to God’s call by serving her parish in many selfless and practical ways. We speak to her about the joy it has given her to be part of her ‘parish family’.

As we approach NAIDOC week, we learn about how a couple of parishes have created opportunities to listen to the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the lead-up to the Voice referendum; Parousia Media founder Charbel Raish shares his remarkable story of coming to hear and respond to the call of God; and we celebrate the recent launch of the Mary Glowery Circle—a new initiative aimed at strengthening the legacy of a woman whose bold response to God’s call continues to inspire.

Finally, we hear about the final preparations for World Youth Day—now less than a month away! And since Melbourne’s pilgrims will be visiting the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal, we take a look at the remarkable things that happened there in 1917.

For more, visit the Melbourne Catholic news and stories page or follow us on Facebook.

Alyssa Agius: influencing the influencers
As we approach World Social Media Day on 30 June, Catholic singer and podcaster Alyssa Agius speaks with us about the blessings and pitfalls of social media, the importance of being discerning, and how we might engage in ways that bring truth and beauty into our own lives and the lives of others.
St Kevin’s Templestowe hosts ‘sacred space of conversation’ to explore the Voice to Parliament
During an online forum hosted by St Kevin’s Parish Templestowe and St Gregory’s Doncaster in April, participants had the opportunity to meaningfully explore the Voice to Parliament. The forum was an example of what the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference meant when they recently encouraged ‘Catholic parishes, schools and agencies to arrange opportunities for people to come together to read and discuss the Uluru Statement [from the Heart]’.
‘It’s not a job. It’s a mission’: Parousia Media’s Charbel Raish
Charbel Raish is the founder of Parousia Media and author of the book ‘How Islam led me back to Christ’ (2020). Recently he came to Melbourne to share the story of his conversion. He speaks with us about his powerful experience of Christ, the origins of Parousia, and inspiring people to put God first.
Cora Lijnders OAM: part of the parish family
Cora Lijnders, a parishioner at St Jude the Apostle in Scoresby, was astounded to hear that her name was to appear on the King’s Birthday honours list. She speaks to us about being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, the joy she has experienced in serving others, and what it has meant to her to be part of her ‘parish family’.
Mary Glowrey Circle strengthens legacy of pioneering doctor sister
On Friday 26 June, the anniversary of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey’s birthday, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli launched the ‘Mary Glowrey Circle’, a new initiative seeking to raise awareness of Mary Glowrey’s significant contribution, and to care for the remarkable collection of items that help keep her story alive.
WYD destinations: the incredible story of Fatima
One of the sites Melbourne pilgrims will be visiting in Portugal during World Youth Day 2023 is the Shrine of Fatima. The apparitions at Fatima are some of the most dramatic spiritual events in modern history. In the first of a series exploring some of the destinations that pilgrims will visit on their way to Lisbon, we look at what happened at Fatima, and share 10 interesting facts associated with the apparitions.
‘If you’re going to be an influencer, especially in the Catholic scene, it’s your responsibility to lead people to goodness, to lead people on their own encounter with God.’
Alyssa Agius
on what it might mean to be a Catholic ‘influencer’
Upcoming events
2024 NAIDOC Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Sunday 7 July 2024
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 ...
2024 NAIDOC Mass at St Francis’ Church
Sunday 14 July 2024
11.00am–12.00pm
Join the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) and Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria (ACMV) in a Mass to mark the end of NAIDOC Week (7–14 July) and to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Banner image: Urapun Muy (detail) by Deb Belyea of the Samuawgadhalgal Cassowary Clan ...
Celebrity organ recital featuring Roger Sayer, St Patrick’s Cathedral
Friday 14 July 2023
6.00pm–7.00pm
Award-winning organist and former Director of Music at London’s Temple Church, Roger Sayer will visit St Patrick’s Cathedral in July to present a grand organ recital. Sayer is at the forefront of British choral and organ music, known also for his performance as organ soloist for Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-nominated score ...
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: workshop day
Saturday 22 July 2023
10.00am–3.30pm
An in-person seminar to explore reasons and ways to place the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at the heart of parish renewal. Clergy, RCIA teams and interested parishioners are warmly invited to attend. Rev. Dr Elio Capra is a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He is ...
Leading Missionary Renewal: Vital and Vibrant Parishes
Saturday 15 July 2023
10.00am–3.00pm
An enriching day of prayer, music, inspiring talks and team workshop activities for clergy and lay leaders. An opportunity to:explore parish renewal in light of Take the Way of the Gospel, covering key topics to envision, enthuse and equipidentify the needs and next steps for your local circumstances hear ...
CSS webinar: ‘First Nations Voices’
Thursday 27 July 2023
4.00pm–5.00pm
Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV), in conjunction with Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), is pleased to invite you to join for a series of webinars to learn more about the upcoming referendum on Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Voice to Parliament. The webinars will ...
Melbourne Catholic Professionals luncheon
Thursday 17 August 2023
12.00pm–2.00pm
Join us for the second Melbourne Catholic Professionals (MCP) event of the year! MCP creates opportunities for Catholic professional men and women to network and support the life and mission of the Church in Melbourne. Through its program of luncheon events—hosted by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli—MCP draws people together from ...

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities, visit the Melbourne Catholic events page.

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

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