Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation

News and Resources

Ministry Supervision for Lay Ecclesial Ministers

These short videos seek to illustrate the importance of ongoing ministry supervision from the perspectives of an accredited LEM, a supervisor and a spiritual director. LEMs (pastoral associates, pastoral workers and lay chaplains) are encouraged and required under the accreditation guidelines for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to participate in regular and ongoing ministry supervision. Supervision provides a learning environment, which nurtures, supports and challenges growth in vocational identity so as to be more effective in our ministering to others.

Education Bursaries

The Secretariat for Lay Ecclesial Ministry is committed, through the Education Bursaries program, to assist Lay Ecclesial Ministers with subsidies towards the financial costs of their study. Applicants must be currently employed within a parish (or equivalent ministry setting) within the Archdiocese of Melbourne. A reminder that applications for Round 1 of the bursaries program are required by Friday 10 May 2019.

Sparks of Beauty: Film

1 May --- The Sparks of Beauty series is back for 2019! The series seeks to enter into dialogue with speakers from a variety of fields – art, science, music, literature, sport – and celebrate the intersections between faith and life while encouraging a new imagining to Catholic spirituality in 21st century Australia. The first gathering for 2019 will be a film screening of the Wim Wenders’ film, Pope Francis — A Man of His Word, which premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was screened as part last year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).

The Melbourne Church celebrates the 2019 Rite of Election

On the Feast of St Patrick over 1,200 people gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral on an autumnal Sunday afternoon for the annual Rite of Election. It is at this Rite that those who are preparing for the Easter sacraments—accompanied by parish RCIA team members, fellow parishioners, family, sponsors and godparents—are presented to the Archbishop and the wider Catholic community.

The Summit Online

Exploring the Word

Exploring the Word is an aid to catechists and parish teams preparing catechumens and candidates for the sacraments of Christian initiation. (Note: Exploring the Word combines what was previously known as the 'Take Home Sheet' and 'The Catechumenal Journey').

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Weekly Reflections

These one-page reflections on the gospels and seasons can be used for personal/group reflection or as an opening/closing prayers.

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Copyright Information

The One License Copyright scheme has been introduced in Australia. A few parishes have asked what this new scheme is all about. To assist parishes in understanding the effects of this acquisition, we encourage you to read through the following FAQs.

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Liturgical Music Suggestions/Hymns

Suggested music for Sundays or feasts from As One Voice 1, 2, and The Next Generation (AOV1, AOV2, AOVNG); Catholic Worship Book 1 and 2 (CWB, CWB II); Gather - 3rd Edition (G); Gather Australia (GA); Psalms for Feasts and Seasons (PFS); Digital Download (DD) and Selected Collection (SC)

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Stations of the Cross: One of Catholicism’s most identifiable traditions

The Stations or Way of the Cross are one of the most identifiable devotional practices in Catholicism. As Dr Paul Taylor writes, "The Stations of the Cross serve a similar role to the passion narratives in the gospels: they invite us to contemplate and draw strength from the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus. The stations connect us with the early church, whose members looked forward with eager hope to Christ’s coming again in glory. When we look at the stations now, we are called to reflect upon Christ’s example of giving himself totally in his suffering and death, and we are invited to follow his path of love, self-sacrifice and service in our lives."

Luke: The Missionary Disciple

This Advent, as the church embarks on a new liturgical cycle, we turn our attention to the Gospel of Luke. It is timely, then, to pause and reflect on some of Luke’s rich insights, and to acquaint ourselves better with a gospel that speaks directly to our humanity, consistently reminding us of the joy and mercy to be experienced not only during Advent and at Christmas, but throughout our journey of discipleship. On a rainy October evening, parish and school liturgy teams from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne gathered to do just that in the first of two Advent preparation sessions. Their guide was Ria Greene.

An Overview of Readings for Advent (Year C)

Rev. Dr Michael Trainor AM is a lecturer at Catholic Theological College and is a member of the Department of Biblical Studies. Here he provides an overview of the readings for the Sundays of Advent. "Luke’s story celebrates God’s beloved disposition upon all beings of our planet revealed in Jesus’ birth. This is the essential truth and mystery in the angelic chorus sung to the shepherds and the repeated sign, of Jesus ‘wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger’. Jesus’ presence in a manger (a product of Earth) and surrounded with Earth’s cloth highlight Jesus as Earth’s child. Ecological implications to celebrate with our planet flow from this and provide a wonderful opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ birth in the light of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si."

Planning Advent liturgies

Cathy Jenkins reflects on the opportunity we have in Advent to take a ‘Holy Pause’, and gives some practical guidance on how we might plan Advent liturgies that renew and deepen our sense of joyful anticipation as we prepare—amid all the bustle and activity of the festive season—for ‘the greatest mystery’.

Music for graduation Masses in Catholic secondary schools

Fiona Dyball offers some advice for all those planning graduation Masses, encouraging careful planning and consideration of these important moments for evangelisation. "The music and sung prayer in these Masses will ideally reflect and honour this preparation and commitment by the extended school community. So sufficient time needs to be allowed for graduation Masses to be consultatively planned, carefully prepared and thoroughly rehearsed. The music on these occasions can offer a fitting tribute to the character of a community, while also staying true to Catholic identity and to the liturgy itself."

The Yeast of St Francis

"In October we celebrate the feast of St Francis, the patron of animals and the environment. We cherish his words, and through the generations men and women have passed on his charism. His influence continues to spread far and wide, as a witness to Jesus that is deeply rooted in our lived experience. He is both rooted in the Christian tradition and idealistic—a challenge to the powerful and a hope for the powerless. Francis’ influence lives on in us today as yeast: an agent of inspiration, of the Spirit, of the reign of God in our midst." Elizabeth Young is a Sister of Mercy and a member of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. Here, she reflects on the radical nature of St Francis' attitude toward God and creation and the ever-present call to ‘care for our Common Home’.

Refreshing liturgical ministers for parish service

National themes for discernment announced

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