Two elections. One secular, one sacred. On May 3, Australia witnessed a Federal election that brought sweeping political change and fresh debates about leadership, values, and national direction. Just a few days after, in Rome, we welcomed a new Pope Leo XIV – elected through the ancient and prayerful ritual of the conclave.
We were at the start of a geography lesson when Nick Hamilton turned around towards me and Ian.
When life gets tough, we often turn to creature comforts – a double scoop of gelato, a relaxing massage, some retail therapy – things in excess of what we use daily for our health and wellbeing. We might say we are ‘indulging’ in a little self-care. The kindness we show ourselves when we indulge is not based on merit but on generosity.
Over the past few weeks, training and safeguarding officers from the Integrity and Safeguarding Department have been busy visiting several parishes and multicultural Catholic communities to introduce the new-look Safe Environments For All (SEFA). This is a framework to guide parishes and communities to embed a culture of safeguarding across all aspects of the parish and community.
In March this year, communities across Australia came together to mark Harmony Week; a celebration of the cultures, languages and traditions that make our nation so vibrant. It was a time to honour our differences, recognise the strength in our diversity and reflect on how we build a society where everyone feels they belong.
The first thing I saw when I entered the Catholic Archdiocese’s Communications Office for the first time 16 months ago was a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Pope Francis. His smiling face and hand raised in welcome soon became part of daily life.
The richest, and most famous, prize in professional golf arrives every April in Augusta, Georgia.
Pope Francis’ love of the God of Jesus Christ was the motivating heart of his life and work. He lived simply and humbly, residing in Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guest house within the Vatican, forgoing the papal suite. He reached out to and embraced those on the margins, memorably washing prisoners’ feet each Holy Thursday, and welcoming refugees on the Mediterranean coast at Lampedusa.
The homily for the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis which was held at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral on April 27.
During the Synod on Synodality in Rome, Pope Francis issued the encyclical letter Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us).
Archbishop Patrick O'Regan's 2025 Easter message
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