Pentecost Sunday recalls the time when the Holy Spirit came down on the Church. It also continues to remind us that, both in our personal lives and society, God does not do everything at once but works in stages. Andrew Hamilton SJ reflects on this special Feast day in the life of the Church.

"Cultural diversity day points to the strength of a community that welcomes difference. The hard time that will follow coronavirus should also be a time to focus on respecting one another within our differences." Andrew Hamilton SJ reflects on World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, which is commemorated on 21 May 2020. 

"World family day is a time to celebrate the generosity and goodness displayed in families, and the resilience that finds life in the most unfavourable circumstances. It is also a day to ask how as a society we can best to accompany families as they prepare children for a full and generous life." Andrew Hamilton SJ reflects on International Day of Families, commemorated on 15 May 2020.    

Each month, Pope Francis sets a prayer intention. It is an invitation to the world, to pray with him for a particular purpose. May's prayer intention is:We pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church. Andrew Hamilton SJ shares his reflections on this prayer intention.

Representatives from Catholic Social Services Victoria, along with members of Victoria’s various faith communities and political leaders gathered on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne this morning to pray for the people who have lost their lives and for the devastation of land, property and wildlife caused by the recent bushfires. The special multifaith gathering was hosted by the Faith Communities Council of Victoria and the Multi-faith Advisory Group (which is convened by the Victorian Multicultural Commission. 

St Vincent's Health Australia, which is under the stewardship of Mary Aikenhead Ministries - a Catholic Social Services Victoria member organisation - is sponsoring the upcoming edition of Parity, which is calling for contributions to its upcoming March 2020 edition. The theme is 'The Frontline Response to Health and Homelessness', which will focus on the work and role of some of the front line services that are dedicated to providing health care and improving health outcomes to those experiencing homelessness. Deadline for contributions is 6 March 2020. Download full outline, here.

This Mass will be offered for the millions of Christians who are persecuted around the world today. Red Wednesday is a global movement to stand in solidarity with all those who are persecuted for their peacefully held religious beliefs. This Mass will commence our Red Wednesday events in Melbourne until Wednesday 27 November.