Newsletter 01 October 2023
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Everyone has a part to play
On the second Sunday in September the Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday (10 September). In this National Child Protection Week, wespeak with Rachel Averbukh, the new Director of the Archdiocese’s Safeguarding Unit, who is encouraged by ‘the potential to create significant and long-term change’.
Last week, about 450 peoplecame together for the Archbishop’s Dinner, held annually to raise funds in support of seminarians. During the dinner, Fr Cameron Forbes, Rector of Corpus Christi College, reflected on the theme of vocation, encouraging everyone to recognise their ‘special vocation that God has planned from the beginning of time.’
Also this week, following Father’s Day, wehear from some Melbourne Catholic dadswho, despite being at different stages in their fatherhood journeys, share how they have been shaped by their own ‘father figures’. Wechat with Professor Isabel Gilfrom the Catholic University of Portugal, one of the world’s most distinguished women in Catholic higher education, about her recent honorary doctorate from ACU and why the world needs Christian values now more than ever. Archbishop Peter A Comensoliblesses the new Saint Teresa of Kolkata Buildingat ACU Melbourne. St Ambrose’s Brunswicklooks back over 150 yearssince its inception. And the ongoinghousing crisis takes centre stageat the Catholic social services annual dinner.
Finally, Pope Francis has concludedhis unprecedented apostolic journeyto Mongolia, visiting one of the smallest Catholic flocks in the world. We take a look at the visit and some of the powerful things Pope Francis said.
For more, visit theMelbourne Catholic news and stories pageorfollow us on Facebook.
‘Towards a safe environment for everybody’: new Safeguarding Director looks to the future
Rachel Averbukh, the new Director of the Archdiocese’s Safeguarding Unit, believes that ‘the values of safeguarding align so beautifully with the values of the Catholic Church.’ She talks to us about her long and varied career supporting vulnerable people and communities, and about the ways she and her team are working towards a ‘bright future’ for safeguarding in the Archdiocese.
Continue reading:‘Towards a safe environment for everybody’: new Safeguarding Director looks to the future
‘Each of us plays our part’: hundreds gather at Archbishop’s Dinner in support of seminarians
‘Every one of us has a special vocation that God has planned since the beginning of time,’ Fr Cameron Forbes, Rector of Corpus Christi College, reminded those who gathered on Friday 1 September at the 23rd Archbishop’s Dinner, the flagship fundraising event of the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria. Around 450 people came together at Moonee Valley Racecourse—the largest turnout in many years—raising $77,000 in support of seminarians.
Continue reading:‘Each of us plays our part’: hundreds gather at Archbishop’s Dinner in support of seminarians
The investment of fatherhood
Pope Francis once said that every family needs a father ‘who can share in his family‘s joy and pain, hand down wisdom to his children and offer them firm guidance and love.‘ To mark Father’s Day this year, we spoke with two Melbourne Catholic dads who—albeit at different stages in their fatherhood journey—are striving to do just this.
Continue reading:The investment of fatherhood
‘We need the values of Christianity’: Professor Isabel Gil reflects on Christianity and WYD
Professor Isabel Capeloa Gil is one of the most distinguished women in Catholic higher education internationally. She recently received an honorary doctorate from ACU here in Melbourne. Prior to the ceremony, she spoke with us about her upbringing, the Christian contribution and the experience of World Youth Day.
Continue reading:‘We need the values of Christianity’: Professor Isabel Gil reflects on Christianity and WYD
‘What are we doing about this housing crisis?’—Catholic social services gather at annual dinner
Written by: Catholic Social Services Victoria
Housing and homelessness were key topics of conversation at this year’s Catholic social services annual dinner on 25 August as more than 110 guests gathered on the banks of the Yarra River to celebrate and give thanks for the important work of Catholic social services in Victoria.
Continue reading:‘What are we doing about this housing crisis?’—Catholic social services gather at annual dinner
‘All are welcome’: St Ambrose’s, Brunswick, getting ready for 150 years celebration
On Sunday 19 November 2023, St Ambrose’s Catholic Church in Brunswick will be celebrating a momentous occasion: 150 years since the church was completed. We talk with Fr Linh Pham and one of the celebration coordinators about the parish community, the history of the church and some of the exciting changes St Ambrose’s has embraced in recent years as it has taken the ‘Take the Way of the Gospel’ journey.
Continue reading:‘All are welcome’: St Ambrose’s, Brunswick, getting ready for 150 years celebration
Opening and blessing of new Saint Teresa of Kolkata Building at ACU Melbourne
Written by: ACU
ACU’s new Saint Teresa of Kolkata Building in Melbourne has been officially opened and blessed. Archbishop Peter A Comensoli presided over the blessing of a building that brings together state-of-the-art facilities, sustainable-design principles and the university’s Catholic identity.
Continue reading:Opening and blessing of new Saint Teresa of Kolkata Building at ACU Melbourne
Pope Francis to Mongolia: we are all ‘God’s nomads’
Pope Francis has officially concluded his unprecedented apostolic journey to Mongolia, where he encouraged one of the Catholic Church’s smallest flocks in their faith. We take a look at his visit and some of the powerful words he spoke to Mongolia’s growing Christian community.
Continue reading:Pope Francis to Mongolia: we are all ‘God’s nomads’
‘All of us are “God’s nomads,” pilgrims in search of happiness, wayfarers searching for love.’
Pope Francis
on his recent apostolic visitation to Mongolia
Upcoming events
Catholic Women’s League Retreat: Finding happiness through the Beatitudes
Saturday 9 September, 2023 9:00am – 12:15pm
Discover the beauty of authentic friendship rooted in faith as you join our Catholic retreat, where you’ll find a safe space to share, grow and deepen your relationship with God, together with a supportive community of women. Come join us. This retreat offers Holy Mass, inspiring talks, time for personal...
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‘Come and Sing’: Music from the Coronation
Saturday 9 September, 2023 2:30pm – 5:00pm
Directed by Christopher Mason, and in collaboration with the St Patrick’s Cathedral singers, join us for an afternoon of great anthems as we sing through music from the Coronation of Charles III. Accompanied on the grand organ by Thomas Grubb. Come and sing Byrd’s ‘Gloria’ from his Mass for Four...
Gangland to Promised Land: John Pridmore Melbourne tour (Corio and Lara)
Monday 11 September, 2023 7:30pm – 8:30pm
John Pridmore was a serious face in London’s East End, living the ‘high life’ until he found himself nearly killing a man. What happened next can only be called extraordinary. Don’t miss his incredible conversion story when he visits Melbourne in August and September. John has spoken to millions around...
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God and Beer: Jesus and Jazz
Monday 11 September, 2023 6:30pm – 7:30pm
An initiative of the Knights of the Southern Cross, God and Beer brings together people of all ages from across the south-east suburbs several times a year. By drawing on the truth, beauty and goodness of the Catholic tradition, God and Beer aims to inspire and strengthen Christians through ideas...
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An invitation to connect with Aboriginal spirituality
Wednesday 13 September, 2023 10:00am – 2:30pm
In the light of the Uluru Statement of the Heart and the upcoming referendum on a Voice to Parliament, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria (ACMV) are inviting interested parishioners to spend some time at Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Thornbury, where they will lead a session exploring social justice and Aboriginal spirituality...
Cathedral Music Festival (weekend)
Friday 15 September, 2023 7:30pm – 4:30pm
From 15 to 17 September, St Patrick’s Cathedral is hosting a special weekend music festival that will feature a range of genres, from medieval plainchant to extravagant choral pieces, First Nations songs, folk music and organ classics. Director of Music Dr Philip Matthias sees the weekend as an opportunity for...
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Migrants and Refugee Mass, St Patrick’s Cathedral
Sunday 24 September, 2023 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Celebrate with migrant communities from all over Melbourne on Sunday 24 September at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Rosary will be prayed at 2pm in various languages, and Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli and migrant chaplains of the Archdiocese at 3pm. All most welcome! For further information...
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