A human rights campaigner, an Archbishop-expert on social media, national radio and television journalists, storytellers, award winning writers, a PR guru, a movie maker and digital media specialists are just some of the speakers that are sure to inspire delegates at the Australian Catholic Communications Congress.

This is a call to all working in a media or communications role, be that in a parish, diocese or media organisation, to join us at the Congress. The Australian Catholic Communications Congress is an opportunity for you to learn practical media skills, debate hot button issues, establish new contacts and be inspired.

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Sr Mary Bernadette osm, Bishop Peter Ingham and Sr Hilda Scott discuss the Year of Consecrated Life at the ACBC and Religious Orders gathering at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney. – See more at: https://mediablog.catholic.org.au/#sthash.SAhtvT8l.dpuf

“I have called you by your name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1)

Each of our Brothers and Sisters in the consecrated life, recalls a word, an event, a priest or religious who inspired them; something as simple as a word of Scripture or the kindness of a dedicated religious. With a simple and humble ‘yes’, they began a journey by which the Lord drew each one into a deeper relationship with himself, so that his word was deeply understood and cherished: ‘I have called you by name; you are mine.’

On the first Sunday of Advent last year, Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 a Year of Consecrated Life. This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, which speaks of religious in its sixth chapter, and of the Decree Perfectae Caritatis on the renewal of religious life. This Year will conclude with the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple on 2 February 2016. Continue reading →

Bishop Ingham presents Carmel Thompson with her certificate at the Fellowship graduation Mass on 21 February

Sixteen young women have graduated from the ACBC’s Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship, with participants describing it as a life-changing, enriching and nourishing experience for both the mind and the spirit.

The women come from all over Australia, from 13 dioceses stretching from Port Pirie to Townsville.

They have completed a two year program, which included a theoretical and practical emphasis on Interfaith Relations, the completion of a Graduate Certificate in Theology through the Broken Bay Institute and University of Newcastle, as well as residential sessions at the Mount St Benedict Centre, Pennant Hills, combining personal, spiritual and leadership formation. Continue reading →

Bishop of Bathurst Michael McKenna lays his hands on the head of Bishop O’Regan

A CROWD of 1600 witnessed the ordination of the ninth Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan on Thursday 26 February 2015.

The Bishop Phelan Stadium at Catholic College Sale was transformed over three days to create a suitable venue for the ceremony.

Nearby, St Mary’s Cathedral seats only 280 comfortably in the main body of the church and so it was decided to relocate the ceremony.

There was a strong attendance of parishioners from Bathurst where Bishop O’Regan was previously vicar-general and Dean of the Cathedral. Continue reading →

Supported by Caritas Australia, Eric and Ma run a sustainable, productive farm.

When Eric and Margaret (Ma) enrolled in a Married Couples Course at the Tutu Rural Training Centre 25 years ago, they couldn’t anticipate how it would change the direction of their lives, and set them on a path of growth for life.

Eric and Ma radiate joy. Their smiles are infectious, their unbreakable bond is plain to see. There’s no mistaking it: this happy, healthy couple are in love – after over 30 years of marriage.

Their homeland of Fiji is spectacularly beautiful, but it is not trouble-free. Comprised of more than 300 islands, Fiji has many isolated rural communities, and throughout the country youth unemployment is high, nutritious foods are in short supply, and life expectancy is much lower than in Australia. Yet Eric (53) and Ma (51) are thriving. Continue reading →

Archbishop Yllana Photo credit: snipview.com

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, His Excellency Most Reverend Adolfo Tito Yllana, Titular Archbishop of Montecorvino and until now Apostolic Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Archbishop Yllana was born on 6 February 1948 in Naga City, Philippines. On 19 March 1972, he was ordained a Priest for the Archdiocese of Caceres, Philippines.

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Kylie Cullen

This year Pope Francis has dedicated the Year of Consecrated Life. I don’t know if any of you have been made aware of this? Remember how last year he dedicated the year to The Joy of the Gospel? It makes a lot of sense to me because joy is the first fruit of a consecrated heart.

Each one of us are called to be consecrated to God, as the call to Holiness is a universal call. Today, more than ever we are reminded of the state of our world, and how there is a great need for our world to become holy. The world will be holy when countries are holy, and countries will be holy when people are holy. So let’s be encouraged by the invitation to become holy and joyful men and women. Continue reading →

The jury of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting has awarded it annual prize to Craig Monahan’s Healing.

Set in regional Victoria and inspired by a story written by journalist Geoff Strong, Healing narrates the bringing together of prisoners at low-security Won Wron prison (now closed) and birds of prey at the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Continue reading →

Today marks the launch of the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), an international coalition of Catholic organisations and leaders committed to a sustainable climate future.

At the launch, the group released a statement underpinned by Catholic teachings and calling for prayer and action among the world’s Catholic population to work together on climate issues.

Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, will present the statement to Pope Francis during his trip in the Philippines this week.

The coalition is comprised of laity and clergy, theologians, scientists and activists from around the world. This is the first time such a diverse global movement of Catholics have joined forces to work together on climate issues. All are united by their Catholic faith, commitment to climate change issues and a shared sense of responsibility to care for God’s life-giving Creation. Australia is represented by Catholic Earthcare Australia, the ecological agency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Continue reading →

Ron and Mavis Pirola, Co-Chairs of the Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council, presenting Pope Francis with a print from Aboriginal and religious artist, Richard Campbell while discussing the incorporation of Aboriginal culture and traditions in liturgies.

Ron and Mavis Pirola, the Sydney-based Chair-couple of the Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council (ACMFC), were one of 13 Australian couples who attended the recent III Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops from 5 – 19 October 2014, in Rome. The theme of the Synod was ‘The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelisation’.

The ACMFC is a Council of the Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life, which in turn is a Commission of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

Presenting at the Synod, the Pirolas commented on the “prayerful and respectful” way in which proceedings progressed and how “enormously privileged they felt in participating in such an experience of the Universal Church”. Continue reading →