Red Wednesday starts today, 20 November! Between 20-27 November, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne will be taking a stand for the millions of people around the world who are being persecuted for their peacefully-held religious beliefs. St Patrick's cathedral will be floodlit in red each night during this week.Join us today (20 November) at the 12 noon Mass at St Mary of the Cross Chapel, Australian Catholic University, 8 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Tonight at 8.30pm, there is the "Walk of Witness", starting at the birthplace of St Mary MacKillop, 7 Brunswill Street, Fitzroy, finishing at St Patrick's cathedral.

2019 has been a fantastic year with four different events focused on young professionals and emerging leaders engaged in Catholic social services. Organised by the Emerging Leaders Network, which is auspiced by Catholic Social Services Victoria, young professionals and emerging leaders are invited to an end of year / Christmas catchup on Wednesday 18 December, 5.30pm-8.30pm, at A Hereford Beefstouw, 22 Duckboard Place, Melbourne.

Engaging with young professionals and emerging leaders within Catholic social services has to become a key part of strategic thinking among CEOs and “not just a nice thought”, according to Mark Monahan, Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Services – Mount Atkinson. “We need to be intentional and strategic about their formation and professional development because they will be leading our Catholic social services organisations into the future,” he says. “And it’s not something that CEOs and leaders should be considering in a few years’ time; it needs to be addressed now."

"The time span is significant and they have weathered many storms. There have been waves of protest, mental illness and self-harm. They have seen riots, death and brutality, and received hospitality and disdain in seemingly equal measure. They have often been dismissed, but at other times listened to and heard across the world." A powerful written piece by Josh Lourensz of Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum about his recent visit with refugees and asylum seekers in PNG.