With the election of Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister and Labor as the new Government, Australia’s most underprivileged and disadvantaged have something to look forward to says Francis Sullivan, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia. While the new government faces huge challenges, a focus on the more than 3 million Australians who live on or below the poverty line should be a major focus, he said.

Catholic Health Australia has congratulated Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on winning the federal election and is urging the new government to urgently prioritise addressing the workforce crisis in health and aged care.

A Free Webinar (https://whataustraliansthink_ncls.eventbrite.com.au)
Thursday 9 June at 11.00 a.m. or 7.00 p.m.

National Church Life Survey (NCLS) Research presents their latest research into Australian spirituality and share in-depth insights about the perspective of Australians on Jesus and the Christian Church and how these general perspectives impact Australian faith communities.

Last year, over 1000 Australian and New Zealand Catholics in ministry participated in the Alive in the Spirit experience, and were inspired by many homegrown ideas, practical pathways and opportunities to renew and revitalise our pastoral settings. In 2022, Alive in the Spirit returns, with this year’s theme: “What does God require of us: To Act Justly, To Love Mercy and To Walk Humbly” (Micah 6:8). This interactive online pastoral experience offers both individuals and groups a variety of ways to flexibly engage including both one-month and 12-month options.

Last year, over 1000 Australian and New Zealander bishops, priests, deacons, religious, pastoral councils, parish and diocesan staff and ministry teams participated in the Alive in the Spirit experience, inspired by many homegrown ideas, practical pathways and opportunities to renew and revitalise our pastoral settings.

In 2022, Alive in the Spirit returns, with this year’s theme: “What does God require of us: To Act Justly, To Love Mercy and To Walk Humbly”. Endorsed by bishops from both Australia and NZ, this interactive online pastoral experience offers both individuals and groups in your Diocese a variety of ways to flexibly engage.

By Jenni Kennedy

President of Edmund Rice Education Australia Council, Ms Phil Billington was awarded the inaugural Bishop Joe Grech Award for Senior Leadership at a ceremony in Bendigo recently.
The former Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst has been recognised for her courageous and faith-filled leadership for students, parents and teachers within the Diocese of Sandhurst. The award also acknowledged her commitment to the wider mission of the Church nationally and locally, within dioceses, parishes and communities.

17 June 2022 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Free online conference via Zoom

Led by Catholic Theological College Staff, this conference uses a dialogical approach with opportunities for discussion and experiential engagement. There will be three Keynote presentations in the morning and participants can choose to attend one of three Keynote presentations in the afternoon. This conference will focus on the critical question: ‘How do we know Christ now?’ and explores how we know the same Christ more authentically and powerfully today.

Catholic Mission celebrates the beatification of Pauline Jaricot

Two hundred years ago, a great global network of Mission was founded by a young French woman, Pauline Jaricot, who envisioned and spearheaded a solidarity fund to support missionaries around the world. By welcoming and inviting people to join, the association grew into a worldwide network, the Pontifical Mission Societies. This network continues Pauline’s vision of mission to share God’s love by supporting projects around the globe to help communities in need, by providing pastoral care and material support.

“I lit the match that lit the fire” were Pauline’s words to describe her work and its international spread.

Since the start of the conflict, Caritas Australia has raised more than $3.5 million for its Ukraine Appeal.

“We are so incredibly humbled by the generosity of our supporters, both long-term and new. The compassion that they have shown to the people of Ukraine during their hour of need is truly amazing,” said Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia’s CEO.

Hosted by the Australian Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM), this national online conference will promote understanding of, and explore practices of evangelisation in Australia through encounters with Christ, formation in discipleship, and mission in the world (BCELM mandate).

Opening with a reflection on the Plenary Council and Australian reports to the General Synod on Synodality, the conference will progress to explore personal experiences and local strategies of evangelisation.

A new portal by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) will help Catholic organisations measure their progress in applying the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).
Marking the launch of the portal, ACSL CEO, Dr Ursula Stephens, described it as a crucial resource for entities wanting to understand where their current safeguarding standards are in relation to best practice.

“We all have ears, but many times even those with perfect hearing are unable to hear another person. In fact, there is an interior deafness worse than the physical one. Indeed, listening concerns the whole person, not just the sense of hearing. The true seat of listening is the heart.”

Pope Francis’ message for World Communications Day (22 May 2022).

The ‘Pray As You Go’ App is designed to enhance your personal prayer life by providing a framework for daily prayer, which includes music, scripture and questions for reflection. The App includes daily prayer sessions for each day of the working week and one session for the weekend, each lasting ten to fifteen minutes.

As part of the Sandhurst Celebrates Synodality series, Dr Chris Cotter, Director of Mission and Pastoral Life, reflects othe Readings of the Fifth Sunday of Easter (15 May 2022) and explores themes of Synodality and Mission. 

You are invited to the official Launch of Laudato Si' Action in Sandhurst at Nathalia on Monday 23 May. Bishop Shane will commission Sandhurst parishes and schools which have signed up to the Catholic Earthcare programme.  The day will start with lunch at St Mary of the Angel's College at 12:30 p.m.  Followed by he launch at Broken Creek, Uncle Bob's Park, at 1:45 p.m. 

This event is also the National Catholic Earthcare 20th Anniversary Celelbrations. Prior registration of attendance is essential

'Heart, Head, Hands'

Online 24-26 May 2022 (11.00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) Bookings must be made by 17 May 2022. 

What would Australia look like in 2030 if we simply listened to the needs of its people?

This free online event will begin with prayer at 6.00 p.m. followed by the screening of the documentary film ‘Regenerating Australia’.  At the end of the screening there will be an opportunity for discussion about how to get involved.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Via Zoom – Booking is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/BZADT

A Reflection on John 21: 1-9  
Scripture Scholar, Very Rev. Dr Brian Boyle EV reflects on the readings of the Third Sunday of Easter.  

Catholic Social Services Victoria supports Labor’s commitment to review the National Disabiltiy Insurance Scheme, but says its decision not to review the JobSeeker payment ahead of its first budget if it wins the May federal election is disappointing.

The new Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, has arrived as Pope Francis’ ambassador to Australia in what the 70-year-old believes will be his final assignment, after having already served 35 years in the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.
Archbishop Balvo sat down with the Bishops Conference for an introductory interview, which covered the roles of a Nuncio, his previous connection with Australia, what he was expecting to find here and how he plans to come to know the People of God.