Association of Ministerial PJP's

A FAITHFUL PROMISE - Catholic Marriage Covenant and Calling
2024-10-15 19:00 - 2024-11-12 17:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Online
Catholic Marriage Covenant and Calling
Short course on Catholic Marriage
Prof Clare Johnson
The ACU centre for Liturgy is offering a short course titled A Faithful Promise: Catholic Marriage – Covenant and Calling. Presented by Prof Clare Johnson, Director of the ACU Centre for Liturgy, this course will explore the Catholic sacrament of Marriage as a lifelong partnership between a baptised man and woman.
This online event will take place over four Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 8.30pm, and each session will cover different topics. The topics covered will be:
Session 1: Biblical and theological foundations of Marriage (15 October)
Session 2: Marriage as contract, covenant, sacrament (22 October)
Session 3: Living the sacrament of Marriage: unity, indissolubility and openness to life (29 October)
Session 4: Theology of Marriage in the Order of Celebrating Matrimony (12 November).
Teachers, clergy, seminarians, liturgists, pastoral associates, parishioners and all who have an interest in Catholic sacraments, or who work in marriage education or ministries of support to married couples in a parish setting, are encouraged to register for this short course.

Safeguarding training for Boards and Trustees
2024-10-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Online
This training program has been designed to address the governance responsibilities for safeguarding. The program will help boards and trustees to:

Understand the importance of safeguarding for your organisation, particularly in relation to the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
Understand your safeguarding responsibilities as Responsible Persons under ACNC.
Identify the roles and responsibilities in safeguarding based on legal and canonical requirements.
Encourage a respectful, accountable and trauma-informed safeguarding culture.
Identify red flag issues of concern at the strategic and leadership level​.
Strengthen organisational policies and create risk registers as part of a safeguarding framework.
Further equip you with skills and resources to be confident in promoting good safeguarding practice in the Church and community.

Insights into the Dominican Sisters' Works
2024-10-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Zinc, Federation Square
You are cordially invited as a guest of CDF to attend the Melbourne Catholic Professionals Luncheon, featuring a keynote presentation by Sr. Mary Sarah Galbraith OP.
Sr Mary is a Dominican Sister of St Cecilia and the local superior of the Dominican Sisters in Bacchus Marsh and is currently the principal at St Bernard’s Primary School in Bacchus Marsh. Last year, she celebrated 33 years as a religious sister.
Outside of school, the Dominican Sisters run the Lamps Alight ministry in collaboration with the Anima Women’s Network. This ministry focuses on the dignity of women in the Church, including in their roles as spouses and mothers, in intellectual life, in the political sphere and in other areas of public life.
Sr Mary Sarah also assists with a group for Catholic school teachers, where they discuss the beauty of teaching in light of the Catholic Tradition, and with a local faith-formation group for families in Bacchus Marsh.

Transform Your Parish: The Role of Metrics (Statistics) in Renewal
2024-10-23 07:00 - 08:30 | NSW
Are you ready to ignite transformation in your parish but don’t know where to start? Join us for our upcoming online event, Transform Your Parish: The Role of Metrics in Renewal.
We’ll explore how using metrics can provide valuable insights to guide your parish through its renewal journey and help you live out the Great Commission.
Metrics play a crucial role in parish renewal by helping you measure progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to harness the power of metrics to transform your parish!
So, register today!

Register Now

Chris Sidoti - The human rights situation in Palestine
2024-10-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
I’m sure you’re all very aware of the human tragedy unfolding in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, Palestine and more broadly in the whole Middle East.
This month we are privileged to welcome Australian international human rights consultant, Chris Sidoti, a member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, who will present our next ACI webinar
Chris, who previously worked for the Australian Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, will share the Commission’s findings with us.
Please join us for this important opportunity to learn more about this urgent, developing situation and to reflect on what we might be able to do to promote peace in the region.

Catholic Mission El Camino Pilgrimage
2024-11-01 | Spain
Walk “the Way” in the true spirit of ancient Christian pilgrimage!
For over a thousand years pilgrims have walked the Camino Francés – the French Way – to the tomb of the Apostle, Santiago – St James. The beauty and power of Catholic Mission’s pilgrimage lies within the graced experience of walking, a pilgrimage to the sacred inner regions of the heart.
Our focus is on the way we travel, entering into a comfortable, contemplative rhythm of daily walking, appreciating simple hospitality in accommodation and food. A Camino in the companionship of a small group, balanced with times for silence and personal reflection, and the camaraderie of strangers as fellow travellers.
In León we are sent on our pilgrimage by the Benedictine Nuns with the traditional pilgrim blessing. Over 15 days we walk approx. 300 klms. through some of the most beautiful parts of Spain, traversing ancient cities and villages, lush forests and vineyards, along a route marked by silence, stone crosses, cathedrals and churches, history and legends, and arrive in Santiago de Compostela in time for the traditional pilgrim Mass at noon.
Regardless of the motive for which one sets out on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, the journey itself becomes a spiritual adventure, drawing believers and seekers into a deeper experience. As one of our past pilgrims said: “These days on the Camino revealed me to myself in a way nothing else had.”
2025 dates to be announced. Expression of Interest by Nov 1 2024. Price given is for 2024, not 2025.

2024 - 2025 Synodality Training Course
2024-11-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
The course is aimed at priests, deacons, religious, consecrated, pastoral workers, lay men and women involved in building a synodal Church. Through a series of lectures and group work within an intercultural and interdisciplinary context, the course intends to offer pastoral and theological tools for synodality.
The first class will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CET).
The course is structured in the following 4 modules of 21 hours each:

Paths opened by the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod – November/December 2024
New Practices in a Synodal and Missionary Church – January/February 2025
Christian Initiation and Transmission of Faith in a Synodal Style – March/April 2025
Synodality Workshops (in person and online) – May 2025

You can take part in the complete course or in individual modules.

Connecting with Hope, Reconnecting with the Christian Vision of the Human Person
2024-11-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Catholic Theological College, Melbourne, 278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
Presenter: Associate Professor. Jamie Calder SJ MAPS
Associate Professor Jamie Calder SJ, Australian Catholic University, works at the intersection of theology and psychology, working with individuals and organisations to enable care for survivors of abuse, and to promote men’s mental health.

National Alpha Catholic Conference
2024-11-08 08:00 - 2024-11-09 17:00 | ACU Cathedral Hall, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
We are excited to invite you to the ‘Every Generation’ Alpha Catholic Conference this November, where leaders across the Church will gather to explore Alpha as a catalyst for intergenerational renewal.
Look forward to interactive workshops covering a variety of topics
Culture: Build an invitational culture that engages the whole community to reach out and invite people to discover and develop a relationship with Jesus.
Youth: Learn the secrets to engaging the emerging generations through Alpha Youth.
Alpha: Discover and deepen your understanding on how to run Alpha effectively in your context.
Leadership: Grow in your own leadership and learn how to raise other missionary disciples.

Catholic Mission Cambodia Immersion
2024-11-11 - 2024-11-20 | Cambodia
“Let us set out again with burning hearts, with our eyes open and our feet in motion…”
Catholic Mission invites you to take up this call of Pope Francis by offering an immersion for adults who are interested in learning more about our projects in Cambodia, and who seek to understand the world through this lens.
In the heart of southeast Asia lies Cambodia, a country to immerse yourself in and learn from with their rich history of both highs and lows. Flying into Phnom Penh we start our immersion amongst the hustle and bustle of its modern city the capital, which like the rest of the country is still recovering from the brutal Pol Pot regime. Here we explore the horrors the country faced during that time through visiting the infamous political prison ‘S21’ and the emotional grounds known as the ‘Killing Fields’. It is only through awareness of the past that we can change this world’s future for the better. Our accommodation in Phnom Penh will be in the newly established Catholic Mission compound.
After experiencing Phnom Penh, we travel north to spend time with the small Catholic community in Battambang. We witness a Church that is alive and changing the lives of those who need it the most, and the strengths and bonds that its presence is creating there.
We end the immersion in the most culturally rich and celebrated UNESCO world heritage site that is Siem Reap. Wander together with your new friends amongst the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and witness a sunrise that, just like the whole experience, you will never forget!
The Catholic Missions Adult Immersion program is open to anyone over 18.
Held twice per year, perhaps in April 2025.

Re-Presenting Jesus: Sharing Christ in Contemporary Culture
2024-11-13 07:00 - 08:00 | Online
As the body of Christ, we are called to make Jesus present in every age to all people. But this isn’t always easy!
Today, we are blessed to live in a time of greater connectedness than ever before. How can we use this greater connectedness to share Jesus more powerfully and effectively with others?
Join Jonathan Roumie (The Chosen), Fr. James Mallon, and Nicky Gumbel in this crucial conversation as they explore what it means to re-present Jesus in our cultural context today and how the Church can embrace this moment to fulfill her mission of sharing Christ with all the nations.

Cardijn Lecture 2024: Patrick Keegan, first lay auditor to address Vatican II - Patricia Jones
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
This year, ACI is pleased to announce that the Cardijn Lecture for 2024 will be delivered by Dr Patricia Jones.
Her subject will be: “Patrick Keegan, first lay auditor to address Vatican II.”
Looking back over the 60 years since Keegan delivered his address to the Council on 13 October 2024, Pat will examine what has been lost and what has been gained in recent decades with respect to the lay apostolate.
As her biography illustrates, Pat will draw on a vast wealth of experience as an academic researcher, including recently as lead author of the ground-breaking British report on implications of the abuse crisis, and in a variety of other leadership roles in the UK church and internationally.
We hope you will join us!

Fellowship programs aim to equip leaders for the future in Integral Ecology
2024-11-18 08:00 - 17:00 | NSW
Applications for the Mercy Integral Ecology Fellowship Program 2025-26 are now open for emerging leaders in Integral Ecology awareness and animation who have a desire to be part of the ongoing enhancement and development of reflective action for Gospel justice in response to the cries of Earth and of those rendered poor.

The fully-funded program is sponsored by Institute of Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG), and supported by other Religious Institutes, Catholic Religious Australia, and Catholic Earthcare.
“Inspired by Laudato Si’, Laudate Deum and ancient Indigenous wisdom, the program is intended to empower and equip leaders for a future which presents many unknown challenges in light of the climate crisis and other related existential threats,” the ISMAPNG website said.
The fellowship will be offered to a small group of committed emerging leaders who will engage with a range of components of learning and experiences over 18 months to better enable them and their communities to respond to these challenges.
In the words of Pope Francis, “the ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion” (LS 152). Therefore, one of the essential components will be exploring the interconnections and rich inspiration of our faith traditions, our spirituality and integral ecology.
“Selected fellows will ideally already be exploring their own integral spirituality and are curious about how this might inspire communities toward living in greater harmony within Earth’s limits,” the website said
Fellows will be required to invest time and energy to actively engage in all components during and after the program, taking up opportunities to engage within a unique network and contribute to the efforts, within the broader Church community, on Integral Ecology into the future

A Celebration of Connection and Growth
2024-11-20 15:30 - 17:30 | St Patrick’s Centre, Melbourne, Level 5, 486 Albert St, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002
Dear Catholic Organisations,
We warmly invite you to the final Catholic Connect event of 2024, a special gathering to celebrate the networks, connections, and valuable learnings from our year together. Throughout 2024, we have had more than 180 guests join us at Catholic Connect, representing 30 organisations, a testament to your commitment to collaborate, learn, and grow for the betterment of the communities we serve.
Join us as we toast to the growth of our network, the connections formed, and the successes of our 2024 workshops. This is also a chance to brainstorm speaker ideas and topics for the 2025 Catholic Connect series. Your insights are invaluable as we look ahead to another year of enriching programs.
This year, Catholic Connect delved into a range of critical topics, each designed to empower our network with knowledge, support, and inspiration:

Board Engagement and Advocacy – Fortifying the board’s involvement to champion our mission with clarity and commitment.
Catholic Education – Cultivating meaningful connections with young people and families, nurturing faith and community.
Spirituality and Staff Formation – Enriching spiritual growth and deepening mission alignment among our staff.

Come and join us in celebrating the growth of our network, the friendships formed, and the collaborative spirit that has made each Catholic Connect session a success. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please RSVP by 11th November to mfitzgerald@melbcdf.org.au along with any dietary requirements to confirm your attendance.

Beyond Tradition: Envisioning the Role of the Catholic Church in a Changing World
2024-11-20 19:30 - 21:00 | ACU Canberra
You are invited to a transformative event, Beyond Tradition: Envisioning the Role of the Catholic Church in a Changing World. In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, the Catholic Church faces both the challenge and opportunity of rethinking its mission—balancing tradition with the call for greater inclusivity and cultural diversity. Join us as we explore how the Church can embrace this new era, fostering justice, peace, and intercultural dialogue.
Featuring the insights of renowned historian Professor Darius von Güttner, this event will dive deep into the Church’s expanding influence in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and discuss the importance of discerning the ‘signs of the times.’ Be part of this exciting conversation about the future of the Church’s mission, and how we can together redefine its role in a changing world.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to reflect, engage, and envision a renewed future for the Church!
RSVP to secure your seat and prepare to be inspired!
Keynote Speaker:
Professor Darius von Güttner
Campus Dean, Canberra, Australian Catholic University

Professional Development for Formators - Checking your Understanding
2024-11-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street,, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
Catholic Social Services Victoria is hosting a Formation Day for all Formators led by Checking for Understanding
It’s often challenging to find formation programs that provide opportunities for mission leaders and others who facilitate group learning to develop their own skills. People come to roles in formation for mission from a variety of pathways and may only develop their skills by diving into the actual practice of running programs. Having the ability to cultivate a deep understanding and learning for others is something that can be practiced and honed.
Checking for Understanding’s engaging program, led by Pip McIlroy, is designed to be inclusive, catering to formators from all adult learning contexts within the Catholic community as well as those that lead other training and facilitated learning experiences. Whether you’re a newcomer to leading adult learning or an experienced formator looking to challenge your own skills and practice, this event is for you. We believe that the diversity of our participants will enrich the learning experience for everyone.
The program will cover aspects of facilitation and training including:

Structuring your session to meet your aims
Engaging your group
Modes of content delivery
Giving and receiving feedback

Divine Renovation Open House: New Plymouth
2024-11-22 15:00 - 2024-11-23 16:00 | Catholic Parish of New Plymouth, 106 Powderham Street, New Plymouth, 4310, New Zealand
As a priest or active parishioner, we know you want to see your parish come alive. But the problem is, without seeing the example of other parishes doing things differently, it’s difficult to see what’s possible. Does the thought of parish renewal make you feel overwhelmed or doubtful whether you could ever see something great happen in your parish?We understand how parish renewal can seem intimidating.
This is why we’re inviting priests and parish leaders like you to our upcoming Divine Renovation Open House: 2 day event where you will connect with parishes that have come alive by pursuing mission, hear inspiring stories of what they’ve learned in their journey, and be encouraged by seeing hope for what’s possible in your own parish.
We will be joined by Bishop John Adams and Bishop Michael Gielen as we break open this important conversation.

War and Response to need in Lebanon
2024-11-26 19:00 - 19:30 | Online
Dear members and friends,
This year we will have two special guests with us for our ACI AGM, International YCS leader, Roy Ibrahim, who is originally from Lebanon, and Fares Azar, a current leader of the Lebanese YCS.
They will share with us the experiences of the Lebanese people in the face of a devastating war and explain the relief work currently being organised by the local YCS movement.
Please join us for this important session, which will be followed by our Annual General Meeting.

Cardijn's The Young Worker Faces Life
2024-12-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Friends,
For our final ACI webinar this year, Mark Ager and Joe Catania will recall Cardijn’s iconic lecture series, The Young Worker Faces Life, which he delivered 75 years ago in 1949.
From 1931 until 1957, Cardijn presented an annual series of lectures to Belgian YCW leaders at a summer school held in the town of Godinne.
The Young Worker Faces Life series is often considered as one of the most important of these, outlining the jocist method of leadership and lay apostolate formation.In 1961, the Melbourne YCW published a translation of these lectures, which have been popular ever since.
Mark and Joe will summarise their essential elements .

Jubilee Year 2025 starts - Opening the Holy Door of St Peter's
2024-12-24 | St Peter’s Basilica, Rome
Many dioceses and travel companies have pilgrimages for the Jubilee year. Search for Jubilee pilgrimages online.
“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram’s horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year.
We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13).
Even though it wasn’t easy to organise, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.

Aggiornamento Series of short courses
2025-01-11 | Online
Small bites of theological conversation for people with questions
The word aggiornamento is Italian for “updating” and came to prominence as one of the aims for the Church of the Second Vatican Council.

The Aggiornamento Series consists of 2-3-hour, individual, online modules that can be offered in bespoke combinations as short courses. The modules can be undertaken either as self-paced learning, or with additional support available for groups meeting in Zoom. They seek to address and promote the expressed professional learning and accreditation needs of the Catholic educational community in Australia.
Modules are offered at three levels: beginner (100); intermediate (200); and advanced (300). They have been developed collaboratively by Professor Robyn Horner and Dr Teresa Brown, of the School of Theology. A certificate of completion is provided for accreditation purposes at the end of the year.
Learn at your own pace online. Certificates of completion offered at the end of each year.

Enrolment and Cost
Asynchronous participation (access to the self-paced learning materials) is $30 per module per person.
To enrol in any of the available modules, click on the links below:
Beginner level modules
Intermediate level modules
Advanced level modules
It is also possible for groups (in schools, clusters or dioceses) of 15+ to request a synchronous class in Zoom by a qualified leader (1.5 hours = $300). Please contact robyn.horner@acu.edu.au or teresa.brown@acu.edu.au if you wish to organise a synchronous class or facilitate a group working in the module. Please note that all facilitators must first complete the Aggiornamento leadership training and accreditation with Robyn Horner or Teresa Brown.

Clinical Pastoral Education 40 hour Course 2025
2025-01-15 08:00 - 2025-03-03 17:00 | St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney
St Vincent’s Hospital is one of Sydney’s leading health care institutions with a long tradition in educating healthcare professionals including pastoral care practitioners.

St Vincent’s recognises that spiritual care is an integral part of patients’ healing and well-being. It has a dynamic pastoral care department that responds to the spiritual care needs of patients, their families and the staff.
The Clinical Pastoral Education Centre was established in 1981 by Sr. Margaret Lee. The Centre offers Introductory, Basic, Advanced and Supervisory Education programs.
At the end of this Introductory CPE course students will be able to:

Grow in their knowledge and understanding of the pastoral role.
Develop pastoral skills especially to gain listening skills that enable them to be reflective pastoral/spiritual practitioners.
Deepen their awareness of the spiritual needs, hopes and resources of others and
Become more aware of their values, beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions.

Key topics:
1. Identify the scope and boundaries of Pastoral Care.

2. Define the role of Spiritual and Pastoral Care
3. Demonstrate a capacity for reflective pastoral practice.
4. Articulate their motivation as Spiritual and Pastoral carers.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of how they relate with others including understanding Relational Dynamics in Pastoral practice.
6. Begin the process of reflecting theologically.

Who should attend:

Pastoral Care Practitioners, Chaplains, Parish Pastoral Workers, volunteers, healthcare professionals, those wishing to explore their suitability to work in this field, those seeking to develop their capacity to provide spiritual care.
Check website for all 2025 dates.

BBI The Australian Institute of Theological Education - Ethical Foundations: CONSCIENCE
2025-01-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
Too often conscience is associated with a ‘guilty conscience’ but in fact conscience is a whole lot bigger than that and is something which precedes our choosing or doing anything. Forming consciences that can lead us to make good choices is one of the most important tasks for the Church.
Session 1: Thursday 7 August 2025
Session 2: Thursday 14 August 2025
4:00PM [AEDT] or 4:00PM [WAST]/6:00PM [AEST]
BBI-TAITE continues to offer a range of adult faith online programs requested by teachers and school offices. Initially designed as After school sessions as you can see from the offering times in the schedule, these are also available at times more suited to your group, parish and workplace
For group bookings please contact Gerard Moore: gmoore@bbi.catholic.edu.au

National Croatian Catholic Men's Conference - Miles Christi 2025
2025-01-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, 347 Grose Wold Road, Grose Val, NSW, 2753, Australia
Seventh annual gathering of Croatian Catholic men from across Australia who seek to be encouraged and challenged by one another, to become the men God created us to be.
Dear Brothers. The time has come for our 7th Annual Croatian Men’s Catholic Conference, a gathering of Croatian Catholic men from across Australia.
Join like-minded men for a powerful and inspiring weekend with powerful guest speakers, engaging small group discussions, meaningful brotherhood with spiritual guidance from Fr Davor and other priests. Be inspired by guest and renowned speakers which include Fr Greg Morgan, Dr Andrew Wood, and Andre Abouharb. With time for personal and spiritual reflection, mass and the sacraments, come along to renew your relationship with God and connect to your fellow brothers.
When God’s warriors go down on their knees, the battle is not over, it has just begun!
Friday 7 March 2025 6:00 PM – Sunday 9 March 2025 3:00 PM (UTC+11)

Location
Benedict XVI Retreat Centre
347 Grose Wold Road , Grose Vale NSW 2753

Sisters of St Joseph Retreats 2025
2025-01-31 - 2025-06-15 | St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre, 8 Humphreys Road, Kincumber South, NSW, 2251, Australia
Live-in Retreats

These are held at beautiful centres all around Australia
Mary MacKillop Place
North Sydney NSW
St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills
Baulkham Hills NSW
Villa Maria Spirituality Centre
Brisbane QLD
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre
East Melbourne VIC
St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre
Kincumber South NSW
Kilmolee
Safety Bay WA
St Joseph’s Heritage and Conference Centre
Perthville NSW
St Joseph’s by the Sea
Williamstown VIC
There are many wonderful retreats available at each centre.

Carmelite Retreats 2025
2025-02-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Mt Carmel Retreat Centre Varroville NSW, 247 St Andrews Road,, Varroville, NSW, Australia
Sr Serafina Castro
Carmelite Retreat Coordinator
Sr Serafina Castro is a Carmelite Sister. She made her religious profession in 2000 and has been working as an educator since then in Thailand and Australia. She joined the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre team in August 2019, and attends to the spiritual, sacramental and pastoral needs of our retreatants.
Retreats are led by different presenters.
Feb 1 – Thomas Merton, a Prophet for our times
Feb 14-16 – St. Therese’s Letter to her sister Marie
Mar 1 – Repent, and believe the Good News
Mar 28-30 – Walking as Pilgrims of Peace – a Retreat in the Spirit of Taize
April 5 – Lenten Reflections – Second Isaiah
May 3 – Hope: Present & Eternal
June 7 – The Roses of St. Therese
June 12-13 – The Artistic & Spiritual Dimensions of the Christmas Story
June 20-22 – Let Yourself Be Loved
July 5 – The Our Father & The Saints
Aug 2 – The Beautiful Book
Aug 22-24 – Spirituality & the Life of Jesus
Sept 6 – Called to Be
Sept 14-21 – Guided Retreat: A Week with the Carmelite Saints
Oct 4 – Canticle of the Creature
Oct 17-19 – Finding Inner Peace in a chaotic world: The timeless wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila
Nov 1 – The Beatitudes
Dec 6 – Darkness & Light: Embracing the mystery of Advent in the teaching of St. John of the Cross

Heads, Hearts and Hands - Christian & Jewish Dialogue
2025-02-02 - 2025-02-04 | Trinity College Theological School, 100 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052
Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, together with the Council of Christians & Jews (Vic.), are delighted to present
In a world torn by violence, dissension, othering and hatred, is there a role for dialogue?
In February 2025, the Australian Council of Christians and Jews invites you to a three-day Gathering of people from Australia and New Zealand engaged in and interested in interfaith dialogue and encounter. This event will take place in conjunction with a visit from the board of the International Council of Christians and Jews.
Attendees will have a unique opportunity to hear from local and international speakers providing diverse perspectives on the nature of dialogue and the current challenges facing Christian Jewish dialogue. There will be opportunities for conversation, reflection and participation in practical workshops.
The Gathering will provide opportunities for sharing information and theory (heads), emotional responses (heart), and practical action (hands) as we consider the question, “What can dialogue do for us?”
The Australian Council of Christians and Jews, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion Australia, and the International Council of Christians and Jews will host this gathering.
When: Sunday, 2 February (2 to 7 pm) to Tuesday, 4 February (8:45 am to 5 pm)
Where: Trinity College Theological School,, Parkville VIC 3052 and Temple Beth Israel, 76-82 Alma Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182.

Catholic Foundations: Catholic Theology in Context
2025-02-03 19:00 - 2025-03-03 21:00 | Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo, 487 Earnshaw Rd, Banyo, QLD, 4014, Australia
Module 1 – Catholic Theology in Context
One of the most striking and consistent themes in the consultation process of the Plenary Council was the call for more and better formation in faith for all the baptised. In response to this call, the Archdiocesan Centre for Catholic Formation was launched in order to engage the baptised in a deeper experience of God as understood and experienced in the Catholic tradition.
At the heart of the Centre’s offerings are four core modules entitled Catholic Foundations. Catholic Foundations is designed to draw Catholics into the fullness of the Catholic life and provide formation for those considering ministry roles. The experience will engage both the head and the heart so participants grow in knowledge and the lived experience of Catholic faith. This module includes 10 sessions supported with opportunities for individual reflection and an optional certificate awarded at completion.
Each module of our Catholic Foundations course is open to all, and you do not need to have completed other modules in order to register for Module 1.
Module 1 will introduce some key principles of the Catholic faith as we seek to understand more deeply who God is and who we are called to be in response to God.
Sessions include:

Reasons to Believe
God Revealed to Humanity
God’s Message
The Central Mystery of the Christian Faith
The Second Person of the Trinity
The Third Person of the Trinity
Living Theology
Communication with God
God’s Church
Theology and Unity

Session Details
Module 1 – Catholic Theology in Context will commence on Monday 3 Febrauray 2025.
Sessions will be held on Monday evenings (3 February, 10 February, 17 February, 24 February, 3 March, 10 March, 17 March, 24 March, 31 March, 7 April) from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Xavier Hall, Holy Spirit Seminary and will be live-streamed to regional hubs*.

Foundations of Missionary Leadership Program
2025-02-05 | Sydney
Effective and enduring ministry requires sound theological knowledge coupled with the dynamic and life changing encounter with the living God.

The Areté Centre brings together these two realities to aspire pastoral and ministry leaders to excellence in servant leadership, to live up to their God-given potential and to grow in knowledge needed for the Church’s mission in the world today.
This program is open to anyone passionate about parish renewal, who already works in ministry or is interested in starting. Whether you are a volunteer or in paid employment, a youth minister, involved in adult evangelisation, or in leadership in your parish, movement or community, the Foundations of Missionary Leadership program is for you. The program is unlike any other as it is designed specifically for the Australian context and offers a unique blend of theological knowledge, human development, spiritual formation, and practical skills needed for mission.

CRA Community of Practice Working in Safeguarding: Impact on Your Faith
2025-02-05 10:00 - 16:00 | ACU North Sydney Peter Cosgrove Centre, Level 18, 8 Napier Street, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Working in safeguarding involves many complexities and challenges. This day offers an opportunity to reflect on how this important work affects your faith life, spirituality, and view of the Church.
