Highways and Byways: A Community of Service welcomes everyone to its 2019 John Wallis Memorial Lecture in Melbourne on Tuesday 13 August 2019 at Genazzano FCJ College, Kew, at 7pm. Renowned journalist and commentator Geraldine Doogue will lead a conversation with Stancea Vichie, congregational leader of the Missionary Sisters of Service and Zuleyha Keskin of Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation on the topic, Women of Faith Leading the Way.

Congratulations to the Missionary Sisters of Service, who celebrated 75 years of going into the highways and byways of Australia and beyond, on 8 July. Official celebrations took place on Sunday 7 July at the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in Blackburn, with joy and gratitude being the major themes throughout the day.

Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project is hosting its annual fundraising Trivia Night on Friday 23 August at St Mary’s Parish Hall, 59 Holyrood St, Hampton, from 7.30pm. Come and join a table or make a table of 8-10 people. $25 per person tea and coffee provided. BYO food and drinks.

Now more than ever, children, young people, families and professionals navigate unprecedented change and significant life events including, loss and trauma. Join us to learn from experts about recent research and evidence-based strategies that can be integrated into organisation and education wellbeing practice. Interactive workshops led by specialist practitioners will provide an opportunity to support professional wellbeing approaches and programs that build safe environments. MacKillop Family Services is hosting this conference as part of our commitment to empowering children, young people and families to heal from adversity.

Reclaiming Lay Leadership in the Catholic sector.  Journalist and broadcaster Geraldine Doogue in conversation with Francis Sullivan. The Ozanam Conversation (previously the Ozanam Lecture) is a free annual event in honour of the 20-year-old activist and founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Now in its 22nd year, it invites us to reflect upon how relevant the Society’s founding mission of 1833 is to today’s world.

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry invite you to join them for their NAIDOC Mass at St Francis Church, 326 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne on 14 July at 11.00am.  This will be followed by light refreshments in St Francis Pastoral Rooms where you can view a pictorial journey through Aboriginal Culture from Colonialization through their suffering and on to their Hopes and Dreams for the Future.

ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) has launched its national fund-raising appeal in a bid to raise $400,000 to continue its work fighting human trafficking and modern slavery, especially forced labour and forced marriage in Australia and globally.  ACRATH now relies entirely on your donations after last year losing its $125,000 a year grant from the Federal Government.  

Having a place to call home means different things to different people.  When choosing a home, personal preference plays a big part in the design and development of housing and accommodation. Designing modern residential living for people of varying ability’s requires consensus on meeting the needs of very diverse individuals and the expectation, not only will their needs be met but they will have opportunity to participate in the community around them.