News & Events

Please note that following the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:30 pm tonight (28/3/24), the Church will remain open until Midnight for Adoration at the Altar of Repose. #MelbourneCatholic #HolyThursday #HolyWeek

Photos from Palm Sunday 2024. Photos by @mwijono. #HolyWeek #PalmSunday #MelbourneCatholic

Beginning with Palm Sunday tomorrow, the universal Church will begin Holy Week ending with Holy Saturday. This week, the faithful are called to enter into the events of Jesus' profound journey of his suffering, sacrifice, and victory over death: Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the institution of the Eucharist (the Last Supper on Holy Thursday), and the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday - signs of his infinite love and mercy for all of humanity. Let us prayerfully journey through this week with the joyful hope of the resurrection at Easter, the “feast of feasts” (CCC 1169) "If we are to accompany Christ in his glory at the end of Holy Week, we must first enter into his holocaust and be truly united to him, as he lives and dies on Calvary." (St Josemaria) Find our Holy Week schedule on our website. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/holyweek

Holy Week Ceremonies at St Mary's West Melbourne 2024: - Palm Sunday (Mass of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord): 10am, 5pm - Monday - Wednesday of Holy Week: 7am, 12:30pm Ceremony Times during the Sacred Paschal Triduum: - Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord's Supper): 7:30pm - Good Friday (Stations of the Cross): 10:30am - Good Friday (The Celebration of the Lord's Passion): 3pm - The Easter Vigil: 8pm - Easter Sunday: 10am, 5pm *Please note that following the 7:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, the Church will remain open until Midnight for Adoration at the Altar of Repose. "In a few days we will take part in the liturgical ceremonies of the solemn Easter Triduum. We will share in the final hours of our Lord Jesus Christ's earthly life, when he offered himself to the Eternal Father as Priest and Victim of the New Covenant, sealing with his Blood the reconciliation of mankind to God. It is a drama we can never grow accustomed to: the Innocent One laden with the faults of sinners, the Just One dying in place of the unjust! Nevertheless, the tragedy of Holy Week is a source of immense joy for Christians. O happy fault, which gained for us so great a Redeemer!" (Blessed Álvaro del Portillo) #melbournecatholic #holyweek2024 #easter

Have a blessed feast day! St Joseph, pray for us!

Have a happy St Patrick’s day 🙏

An exciting event coming to St Mary’s on Sunday 17 March. For a sneak peak of this performance see it on YouTube https://youtu.be/BKSpJJSrUrY

SEASON OF LENT We will begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, 14th of February. For these 40 days up till Good Friday, we are invited to seek the Lord in prayer, fasting and almsgiving in a spirit of repentance and conversion, to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. “These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works). “ - CCC 1438 LENTEN OBLIGATIONS *Catholics aged 18-59 should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday *Catholics aged 14 and over should abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday *Catholics aged 14 and over should abstain from meat on every Friday of the year, including Lent, or substitute this with another form of penance, either in prayer, fasting or almsgiving. *Taking up some form of voluntary penance throughout the season is also expected. For further information see: https://melbournecatholic.org/news/lent-a-guide-for-the-perplexed To participate in your Lenten journey, please note the following: *Ash Wednesday Masses at 7am, and 12:30pm, *Each Friday we will have the Stations of the Cross at 5:30pm. *Fulfill your almsgiving obligations and donate to Project Compassion. You will find the Caritas donation boxes on the tables inside the church. *Visit the St Josemaria Institute for spiritual resources - A Spiritual Toolkit for Lent- https://stjosemaria.org/spiritual-toolkit-lent/ "We are at the beginning of Lent: a time of penance, purification and conversion...our heart is ready and, we have made up our minds, to purify ourselves. He hears us and will not disregard, the petition of a humble and contrite heart."- St Josemaria, Christ is Passing By, p.57

Today we celebrate the feast of The Presentation of the Lord. Following Mass there will be a blessing of candles.

Year of Prayer 2024. On Sunday 21 January 2024, Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Prayer - a time of preparation for the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025. This Year of Prayer is a "time to discover how to pray and, above all, how to educate the people of today in prayer..."(Archbishop Fisichella, Vatican News, 23 January 2024). To help Catholics journey through this Year of Prayer, Pope Francis will set up a "School of Prayer" providing many resources through the Dicastery of Evangelisation. Their hope is that the faithful will be able to understand the different forms of prayer and to "pray more fervently [and be prepared] to live properly this grace-filled event and experience the power of hope in God."(Pope Francis, Vatican News, 23 January 2024). To find out more about the Year of Prayer, and the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, visit these sites: https://melbournecatholic.org/news/the-breath-of-faith-pope-francis-inaugurates-year-of-prayer https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html

This Friday January 26th the Australia Day mass is at 10:00am.

The Church is currently in the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. This observance was first conceived back in 1907 and has been encouraged by various Popes, including St Pope John Paul II who said; "Restoration of unity among Christians is one of the main concerns of the Church... and this task is for all of us. No one can claim exemption from this responsibility. . ." (30 May 1982). Visit this article to find out more, and how to pray for Christian unity. https://opusdei.org/en-au/article/resources-for-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/

Last week at St Mary Star of the Sea, the Filipino community celebrated a centuries old religious tradition honoring the Black Nazarene; a wooden statue of Jesus Christ which we are blessed to have in our church, resembling the originally carved statue dating back to 1606 when it arrived to the Philippines from Mexico. The celebration was a triduum of masses which went from Tuesday to Thursday, and the procession and mass on Friday. Several hundred people attended with Fr Andrew as the principle celebrant, and other concelebrating priests including Fr. Joselito Asis, the Philippines chaplain in Melbourne. It was inspiring to see such devotion as the procession moved around the church grounds. To read about this celebration in Manilla click the link below. melbournecatholic.org/news/manilas-first-mega-procession-of-black-nazarene-after-pandemic-draws-millions

Last weekend we entered the ordinary time period in our liturgical calendar. Looking back to the events in the lives of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Holy Family certainly had their highs and their lows as we read in the gospels, but most remarkable would have been their ordinary, hidden life. Even though the gospels remain silent on much of their family life, we could certainly imagine the humble transition the Holy Family had to make from the events at Bethlehem to their home life in Nazareth; raising their family, living their Jewish faith, going to work, preparing meals and doing chores, and keeping commitments to family ties and friendships. Our lives are no different. The ordinary period of our lives, and for the Church, are precisely the time that we can use the graces and blessings received from the special liturgical seasons to practice our Christian virtues in our work and home, to be the light of Christ in our daily encounters with others, to lean on God in our struggles, and to be someone to lean on in somebody else’s struggles. The spirit of Opus Dei, founded by St Josemaria Escriva, teaches us how to live a holy life in the 'ordinary'. St Josemaria says in Passionately Loving the World (no. 52), “God is calling you to serve him in and from the ordinary. . .There is something holy, something divine hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it”. As you journey through this new year, may the grace of God, and the peace of Christ carry you and sustain you as you, and may you share God's blessings with those whom he has placed in your life. “Don’t let your life be sterile. Be useful. Blaze a trail. Shine forth with the light of your faith and of your love.” (The Way, 1) For related reading go to the St Josemaria Institute website: https://stjosemaria.org/discovering-something-divine-in-the-ordinary/

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The visit of the Magi remind us that Christ offers salvation for all of humanity. Like the Magi, let all the world discover the gift God has given humanity, so “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”

On the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, we honour the motherhood of Mary, mother of our Lord, both fully human and fully Divine, and mother to us all.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family; a model of family life desperately needed in our time. As we honour the Holy Family, let us celebrate the family unit, the domestic Church, where we place Christ at the centre of our lives so we may grow in our love for God and for one another. St Mary Star of the Sea, a church dedicated as the Archdiocese Shrine of the Holy Family, nurtures and supports all aspects of family life, and especially noteworthy, is our marriage preparation course, Transformed in Love; a program that aims to build Catholic marriages that reflect the self-giving love Christ has for the Church. Holy Family, pray for us and for our families. To read more about the dedication of the Holy Family Shrine visit this article.https://opusdei.org/en-au/article/a-new-shrine-of-the-holy-family-in-melbourne/

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”(Isaiah 9:6-7) May the peace of Christ be with you all, Merry Christmas.

Today we honour and celebrate the feast of The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Our mother, preserved from original sin and who remained without sin, was found worthy to carry our Lord and Saviour in her womb. We thank God for giving us a mother, spotless and pure, so highly favoured, to intercede for us before God. Mary, The Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

This Sunday we begin a new liturgical year with the season of Advent; a time to prepare our hearts and our homes to receive our Lord Jesus in a renewed way. This season of hopeful expectation, and prayerful preparation to receive the One who brings us hope, peace, joy, and love, can be overshadowed as we find ourselves in the midst of frantic Christmas preparations. This is a time to renew our longing for our Lord by regularly retreating to that quiet place, that manger in our heart calling “Come Lord Jesus!” “What a marvelous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come-“ St Josemaria (The Forge, no.548) To help you journey through Advent try the weekly Advent reflections from the St Josemaria Institute https://stjosemaria.org/advent-time-for-hope/ (Find our Christmas timetable on our website in the main menu)

Last Friday night we had the privilege of having Fr John Flader with us discussing Life After Death, a topic he wrote about in his two books Dying to Live, and The Final Exam. Those who attended were treated with a Q and A at the end.

This weekend we see the close of another liturgical year with the feast of Christ the King, King of the Universe. It is fitting that the year ends with this feast, a reminder that Christ reigns as King forever, and for us to reflect on whether we have given Christ dominion over all aspects of our lives. Viva Christo Rey! - Long Live Christ the King For a beautiful reflection on this feast day and its meaning, go to the St Josemaria Institute - https://stjosemaria.org/podcasts/long-live-christ-the-king/?mc_cid=3c3e9d58af&mc_eid=cc3ffca86e

On the weekend our Italian community celebrated the feast of the Liberation of Colle Sannita (Benevento) Italy back on the 15th of November 1439. During the mass they honoured Our Lady under her title, Madonna Della Libera (Our Lady of Liberty), depicted beautifully in statue form in our church. Maria Santissima Della Libera, Prega per noi. (Pray for us!)

Mass Times at St Mary's West Melbourne for Melbourne Cup Day, Public Holiday (7/11/23). - 8:30 am - 10:00 am #melbournecatholic #melbournecup

Today we commemorate the Holy Souls in Purgatory, All Souls' Day, November 2nd. Whilst the Church has allocated this specific feast day on the Catholic calendar, she has dedicated the whole month of November to the remembrance of the faithful departed. Use this time to pray for the dead, visit loved ones' graves, and offer masses for the repose of their souls. "From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God." -CCC 1032

Happy feast day! All saints in heaven, pray for us.

Today on All Hallows' Eve, we prepare to commemorate all the saints in heaven, All Saints Day on November 1st. This important feast day is a time to consider the example saints offer us and to reflect on how we can imitate their lives.

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and also the first Saturday of the month (a day devoted to Our Lady's Immaculate Heart).

Today is the feast day of a beautiful saint who faithfully promoted the Divine Mercy devotion.

Today the Church honours our Guardian Angels, a wonderful gift from God.

Mass times for Friday 29 September - Public Holiday. (For Friday before the AFL Grand Final and the Feast day of the Archangels) Mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s, West Melbourne at 7am & 12:30pm.

Last Sunday 17th of September, the Maltese community celebrated Festa-Tal-Bambina, the Feast of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Our Lady of Victories. This important day commemorates the Victory of the Maltese over the Ottoman empire on the 8th of September in 1565. https://www.facebook.com/mccvic/

Mass times St Mary Star of the Sea for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 7:00 am, 12:30 pm, 5:00 pm

Happy Feast Day of St Josemaría!!! Here are some photos from the special Solemn Mass in Honour of St Josemaría! A special thank you to Bishop Anthony Ireland who came to celebrate the Mass. O God, who raised up your priest Saint Josemaría in the Church to proclaim the universal call to holiness and the apostolate, grant that by his intercession and example we may, through our daily work, be formed in the likeness of Jesus your Son and serve the work of redemption with burning love. (Collect for the Mass of St Josemaría) Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) founded Opus Dei, which opened a new path of holiness for everyone in the Church. He taught people in all works of life how to become holy by performing ordinary work and daily duties with a Christian spirit. More photos available on our Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=639035558259914&id=100064604264613&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6 Photos by @miguelitowijono #June26 #MelbourneCatholic #FeastDay #Mass #StJosemaria #OpusDei

In a few days time we’ll be celebrating the life of a giant of a saint #StJosemaria! A special Solemn Mass for the Feast Day of St Josemaría will be celebrated at St Mary’s, West Melbourne on 26th June at 7:00pm. Confessions will be available from 6:00pm. The Principal Celebrant will be Bishop Anthony Ireland. Update: Please note that there will be 12:30pm Mass on that day. Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) founded Opus Dei, which opened a new path of holiness for everyone in the Church. He taught people in all works of life how to become holy by performing ordinary work and daily duties with a Christian spirit. #June26 #MelbourneCatholic #FeastDay #Mass

Following the days after the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, let us increase our devotion to Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Here are some words from St John Paul II. "Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us. The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass we are enabled to make contact with the very wellspring of grace."   (Ecclesia de Eucharistica, St John Paul II) Photos from Corpus Christi Procession 2018, @stmaryswestmelbourne � #MelbourneCatholic #CorpusChristi #AdoroTeDevote #CorpusChristiOctave #Eucharist

Join us at St Mary's West Melbourne on Monday 26 June 2023 at 7pm for Holy Mass celebrating the Feast Day of St Josemaría. The Sacrament of Penance will be available from 6pm. Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) founded Opus Dei, which opened a new path of holiness for everyone in the Church. He taught people in all works of life how to become holy by performing ordinary work and daily duties with a Christian spirit. Link to Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/HJGD79kt #melbourneCatholic #June26

A huge congratulations to all those who made their First Holy Communion today!

The Church's tradition in many places dedicates the month of May to Our Lady. Here are some words from Pope Francis about the Rosary. "In the prayer of the Rosary we turn to the Virgin Mary so that she may bring us ever closer to her son Jesus, so as to know him and to love him more and more. And as we repeat “Hail Mary”, we meditate on the mysteries, the joyous, luminous, painful and glorious phases of Christ’s life, but also of our lives because we journey with the Lord. This simple prayer, in fact, helps us to contemplate all that God in his love has done for us and for our salvation, and allows us to understand that our life is united to that of Christ. In prayer, we bring everything to God, our struggles, our wounds, our fears, but also our joys, our gifts, our loved ones... all to God. By praying, we allow God to enter our time, to welcome and transfigure all that we experience. Often make use of this powerful instrument, the prayer of the Holy Rosary, because it brings peace to hearts, to families, the Church and the World." https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2017/documents/papa-francesco_20170618_videomessaggio-santuario-malta.html #may #OurLady #rosary #melbournecatholic #melbourne #catholic

Easter Vigil: Resurrexit Sicut Dixit, alleluia! He has Has risen as he said, alleluia. #EasterVigil #Easter #HolyWeek #MelbourneCatholic #catholic #melbourne

Good Friday: "He came to save the world, and his own denied him before Pilate. He showed us the path to goodness, and they drag him along the way to Calvary. He gave example in everything he did, and they prefer a thief convicted of murder. He was born to forgive, and —without cause — they condemn him to the gallows. He came along the paths of peace, and they declare war on him. He was the Light, and they hand him over to the powers of darkness. He brought Love, and they repay him with hatred. He came to be King, and they crown him with thorns. He became a slave to free us from sin, and they nail him to the Cross. He took flesh to give us Life, and we reward him with death." #goodfriday #holyweek #catholic #celebrationOfTheLordsPassion #melbourne

The Way of the Cross: "My Lord and my God, under the loving eyes of our Mother, we are making ready to accompany you along this path of sorrow, which was the price for our redemption. We wish to suffer all that You suffered, to offer you our poor, contrite hearts, because you are innocent, and yet you are going to die for us, who are the only really guilty ones. My Mother, Virgin of sorrows, help me to relive those bitter hours which your Son wished to spend on earth, so that we, who were made from a handful of clay, may finally live in the freedom and glory of the children of God." #goodfriday #holyweek #catholic #WayOfTheCross #melbourne

Holy Thursday "Jesus has remained within the Eucharist for love... of you. He remained, knowing how men would receive him... and how you would receive him. He has remained so that you could eat him, so that you could visit him and tell him about your things; and so that you could talk to him as you pray beside the Tabernacle, and as you receive the Sacrament ; and so that you could fall in love more and more each day, and make other souls, many souls, follow the same path." (St Josemaría Escrivá) #holyweek #HolyThursday #pascaltriduum #catholic #melbourne #melbourneCatholic

Following the Mass of The Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday (6/4/23), St Mary's will remain open until midnight for Adoration at the Altar of Repose. #melbourneCatholic #holyThursday #MassOfTheLordsSupper #holyweek

Palm Sunday Mass 2023 #holyweek #melbourne #palmsunday #melbournecatholic #HolyMass

Holy Week Schedule: Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent (April 1): - No 10am Mass at St Mary's. Please go to the 10am Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday), April, 2nd: ­ - 10.00 am Sunday Mass ­ - 5.00 pm: English Mass ­ * Palms will be distributed at each Mass Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of Holy Week, (April 3rd, 4th & 5th): ­ - 7.00 am Weekday Mass ­ - 12.30 pm Weekday Mass Holy Thursday, April 6th: ­ - 7.30 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday, April 7th: ­ - 10.30 am Stations of the Cross ­ - 11.15 am Seven Words of Our Lord on the Cross Sermon ­ - 12.00 noon Holy Rosary ­ - 3.00 pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion Holy Saturday, April 8th:: ­ - 8.00 pm Easter Vigil Easter Sunday, April 9th: ­ - 10.00 am Easter Mass during the day ­ - 12.00 noon (in Lithuanian) Easter Mass during the day ­ - 5.00 pm English Mass In a few days we will take part in the liturgical ceremonies of the solemn Easter Triduum. We will share in the final hours of our Lord Jesus Christ's earthly life, when he offered himself to the Eternal Father as Priest and Victim of the New Covenant, sealing with his Blood the reconciliation of mankind to God. It is a drama we can never grow accustomed to: the Innocent One laden with the faults of sinners, the Just One dying in place of the unjust! Nevertheless, the tragedy of Holy Week is a source of immense joy for Christians. O happy fault, which gained for us so great a Redeemer! (Blessed Álvaro del Portillo) For more info, please visit https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/holyweek #melbourneCatholic #holyweek #melbourne #easter

Please note that there will be no 10am Mass this Saturday (April 1), due to the Chrism Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral. Everyone is encouraged to attend the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral (10am). For more info, please about the Chrism Mass please visit: https://melbournecatholic.org/events/chrism-mass-st-patricks-cathedral #melbourne #holyweek #chrismMass #melbourneCatholic

Now's no time to quit! Now's the time to look at your crucifix and see someone who gave everything until the end. He needs you now. "It is not too late, nor is everything lost. Even though to you it may seem so. Even though a thousand foreboding voices keep saying so. Even though you are besieged by mocking and sceptical onlookers... You have come at a good time to take up the Cross: the Redemption is taking place —now! — and Jesus needs many Simons of Cyrene." The Way of the Cross, St Josemaria). Re-posted from @opusdei_en

This Sunday, February 26, 2023 will be Fr. Anthony Bernal’s last Mass as Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea. Henceforth he will be serving as Pastor Emeritus! All welcome after the 10:00 am Mass for a cuppa and cake inside the church crypt to mark the occasion

Please note for Ash Wednesday tomorrow, there will be the usual two Masses, 7am & 12:30pm, with the imposition of the ashes. Holy Week Schedule: Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday), April, 2nd ­ - 10.00 am Sunday Mass ­ - 5.00 pm: Sunday Mass ­ * Palms will be distributed at each Mass Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of Holy Week, April 3rd, 4th & 5th ­ - 7.00 am Weekday Mass ­ - 12.30 pm Weekday Mass Holy Thursday, April 6th ­ - 7.30 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday, April 7th ­ - 10.30 am Stations of the Cross ­ - 11.15 am Seven Words of Our Lord on the Cross Sermon ­ - 12.00 noon Holy Rosary ­ - 3.00 pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion Holy Saturday, April 8th ­ - 8.00 pm Easter Vigil Easter Sunday, April 9th ­ - 10.00 am Easter Mass during the day ­ - 12.00 noon (in Lithuanian) Easter Mass during the day ­ - 5.00 pm English Mass In a few days we will take part in the liturgical ceremonies of the solemn Easter Triduum. We will share in the final hours of our Lord Jesus Christ's earthly life, when he offered himself to the Eternal Father as Priest and Victim of the New Covenant, sealing with his Blood the reconciliation of mankind to God. It is a drama we can never grow accustomed to: the Innocent One laden with the faults of sinners, the Just One dying in place of the unjust! Nevertheless, the tragedy of Holy Week is a source of immense joy for Christians. O happy fault, which gained for us so great a Redeemer! (Blessed Álvaro del Portillo) For more info, please visit https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/holyweek #melbourneCatholic #lent #ashWednesday #holyweek

14 February - Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love! Pray For Us! St. Josemaria Escriva had a profound devotion to Our Lady under the title 'Mother of Fair Love.' The title has its origins in Scripture — 'I am the mother of fair love' (Sirach 24:24) — and has been used by the Church to describe Our Lady as our model of fairest — the most beautiful and pure — love. In his homily, 'Mother of God and Our Mother', St. Josemaria reflects on the devotion explaining: “‘I am the Mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge and of holy hope.’ These are the lessons which Mary reminds us of today. The lesson of fair love, of living a clean life, of having a sensitive and passionate heart, so that we may learn to be faithful in our service to the Church. This is no ordinary love. It is Love itself. There is no room here for betrayal, or calculation, or forgetfulness. It is a fair, a beautiful love, because its beginning and end is God, who is thrice Holy, who is all Beauty, all Goodness and all Greatness. But there is also a reference to fear. For myself, the only fear I can imagine is that of turning away from Love. God Our Lord certainly does not want us to be inhibited, timid or lukewarm about our dedication to him. He wants us to be daring, courageous and refined” (Friends of God, no. 277). On February 14th, by a decree of the Holy See, the Prelature of Opus Dei celebrates the Feast and Mass of Mary, Mother of Fairest Love in thanksgiving to commemorate the anniversaries of the beginning of Opus Dei’s activities with women in 1930 and the founding of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross in 1943. Text from: https://stjosemaria.org/mary-mother-of-fairest-love/ #melbourne #melbourneCatholic #opusdei #feb14 #ourLady

@opusdei_en Point 776, the Way. #josemaria #opusdei

The Pope’s prayer intention for the month of February is parishes. Let us keep all our local parishes in the Diocese in our prayers.

Let us pray for Pope Francis, as he is on his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo & South Sudan (31 January - 5 February 2023) https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/congo-sudsudan-2023.html

Seven Sundays of Saint Joseph A long-standing tradition in the Church is to prepare for the feast of Saint Joseph by dedicating the seven Sundays before March 19 to Saint Joseph, in memory of his seven sorrows and joys. For resources: https://opusdei.org/en/article/seven-sundays-of-saint-joseph

Pictures from the various farewell events for our Assistant Parish Priest, Fr Felix.

@opusdei_en On St. Josemaria’s 121th birthday, we’re revisiting some of his advice about dreaming big and starting small: “Make few resolutions. Make them definite. - And fulfill them with the help of God.” (The Way, 249) Shout out to @triguete for the illustration! #resolutions #dreambig #birthday #stjosemaria #catholic #newyear

@vaticannews “If we allow the love of Christ to change our heart, then we can change the world.” – the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI #popeemeritusbenedict #popebendictxvi #melbournecatholic

A Mass for the Eternal Repose of the Soul of Pope Benedict XVI will be celebrated at St Mary’s, West Melbourne at 12:30pm, 2-Jan-23.

The Novena to the Immaculate Conception starts today (November 30). The Novena to the Immaculate Conception allows us to prepare well for the upcoming Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. For texts to prepare well for this upcoming Solemnity, please visit: https://opusdei.org/en-au/article/novena-to-the-immaculate-conception-2/ #Novena #OurLady #ImmaculateConception #Catholic #Melbourne #MelbourneCatholic

Join us in December at St Mary's for St Mary's Inaugural Testament Trivia and Christmas Concert. For more info please visit: https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/st-mary-s-testament-trivia-christmas-concert #melbourneCatholic #december #trivia #melbourne #christmas #concert

St Mary's Young Adults meets again this coming Friday for Adoration and Theology. This week's topic is on the Virtue of Fortitude. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/young-adults

For All Souls' Day (2 Nov 22), an additional Mass will be celebrated at 9am. This means for All Souls' Day, Mass will be celebrated at 7am, 9am, and 12:30pm. In addition please note that there will be no 7:00 am Mass for All Saints' Day (1 Nov 22), being a public holiday.

We will celebrate the Feast of St Mary, Star of the Sea on 30 October 2022. Please note that 10:30 am Mass will start at 10 am. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/feast-of-st-mary-star-of-the-sea-30-10-2022

St Mary's Young Adults meets again this coming Friday for Adoration and Theology. This week's topic is on the Virtue of Temperance. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/young-adults

@opusdei_en What do you do when the going gets rough? Blessed Alvaro del Portillo gave us his answer in a homily he preached in Bethlehem in 1994: "In the little things, when we find it hard to do what God asks of us, we should say: Lord, do You want this? I want it too! And just the same in the big things; although the difference is that for Him there are no big or little things, because when He asks us something which is difficult to accept, He also gives us the graces that we need to carry it out. [...] May we know how to say yes to Our Lord, as we want to serve Him.” #littlethings #dreambig #catholicchurch

St Mary's Young Adults meets again this coming Friday. This Friday we'll be looking at the Virtue of Justice. Come and join us this Friday for Adoration and Theology starting at 6pm. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/young-adults #melbourneCatholic #friday

Events happening at St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne this month. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/ #september #melbourne #melbournecatholic

Just a reminder that the St Mary's Young Adult's Group meets tonight. Tonight Fr Anthony will be speaking about the Virtue of Justice, with a focus on the right to life. All are welcome. The evening begins with a talk inside the Church Crypt, followed by a time for personal prayer, adoration and confession inside the Church and dinner. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/young-adults #catholic #melbourne #mass #melbournecatholics #melbournecatholic #friday #tgif

Some photos from the celebration of Fr Anthony's 50th Anniversary of Ordination. #melbourne #melbournecatholic #catholic #celebration #50years #50th #ordination #stjosemariaescriva #opusdei

Happy Feast day of the Assumption of Our Lady. In Australia, today is a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be three Masses at St Mary's today. The Mass times are 7am, 12:30pm and 6pm. "Assumpta est Maria in coelum: gaudent angeli! —God has taken Mary —body and soul— to Heaven: and the Angels rejoice! So sings the Church. —And so, with that same outburst of joy, do we begin our contemplation in this decade of the Holy Rosary: The Mother of God has fallen asleep. —Around her bed are the twelve Apostles. —Matthias in the place of Judas. And we, through a grace respected by all, are also at her side. But Jesus wants to have His Mother, body and soul, in Heaven. —And the heavenly Court, arrayed in all its splendour, hails Our Lady. —You and I —children after all— take the train of Mary's magnificent blue cloak, and so we can watch the marvellous scene. The most Blessed Trinity receives and showers honours on the Daughter, Mother, and Spouse of God... —And so great is Our Lady's majesty that the Angels exclaim: Who is she?" (St. Josemaría Escrivá, Holy Rosary) https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/mass-times-for-the-assumption-of-our-lady #catholic #melbourne #melbournecatholic #mass #assumption #feastday

A special congratulations to our Parish Priest Fr Anthony, who celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination. #melbourne #melbourneCatholic #opusDei #mass #50years #catholic

Mass Times for the Assumption of Our Lady at St Mary Star of the Sea. The Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady is a Holy Day of Obligation in Australia. Vigil Mass: - 5:30 pm (14/8/2022) Mass on the Day: - 7:00 am - 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm "The mother of God has fallen asleep.. But Jesus wants to have his Mother, body and soul, in heaven. And the heavenly court, arrayed in all its splendour, greets our Lady. You and I – children after all – take the train of Mary’s magnificent blue cloak, and so we can watch the marvellous scene. The most blessed Trinity receives and showers honours on the Daughter, Mother and Spouse of God... And so great is the Lady’s majesty that the Angels exclaim: Who is she?" (St Josemaría Escrivá, Holy Rosary) https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/mass-times-for-the-assumption-of-our-lady

The Mass in honour of Saint Josemaría Escrivá will be celebrated on Saturday 18 June 2022 at 11:00am (taking the place of the usual 11:00am Saturday Mass). Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) founded Opus Dei, which opened a new path of holiness for everyone in the Church. He taught people in all works of life how to become holy by performing ordinary work and daily duties with a Christian spirit.

The Mass in honour of Saint Josemaría Escrivá will be celebrated on Saturday 18 June 2022 at 11:00am (taking the place of the usual 11:00am Saturday Mass). Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) founded Opus Dei, which opened a new path of holiness for everyone in the Church. He taught people in all works of life how to become holy by performing ordinary work and daily duties with a Christian spirit. #MelbourneCatholic #Melbourne #June26

Posted @melbournecatholic During this month of May, we continue our look into different Marian devotions around the world, and the unique stories and miracles associated with them. Previously we looked at Poland and Ukraine and this time we travel to Asia, exploring some of the special devotions that are personal to Vietnam, China and the Philippines. You might even recognise a few! 🙏 Read more via the link in our bio or visit: www.melbournecatholic.org/our-lady-around-the-world #mary #marian #ourlady #mother #mothermary #mamamary #marianmonth #may #blessedmother #blessedvirginmary #virginmary #motherofgod #hailmary #holymary #devotion #devotions #universal #asia #vietnam #china #philippines #catholic #melbournecatholic

• @opusdei_en On St. Josemaria’s 120th birthday, we’re revisiting some of his advice about dreaming big and starting small: “Make few resolutions. Make them definite. - And fulfill them with the help of God.” (The Way, 249) Shout out to @triguete for the illustration! #resolutions #dreambig #birthday #stjosemaria #catholic #newyear

@melbournecatholic Today is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It is here that we gain an insight into the nature and significance of baptism, about what it means for us personally, existentially, and sacramentally. For many of us, baptism occurred long ago, often when we were children. As a result, maybe we don’t reflect on the significance of what actually took place when we were baptised. But we should, because baptism is the beginning of the Christian walk; it is our entry into the Body of Christ. In today's Gospel we hear this: ‘Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’ (Luke 3:21-22). There are a couple of things to note about this passage. The first is this: the Bible never mentions the heavens closing again. The heavens are torn open, we read, but never closed. In this moment, we have a permanent wound in the earth, made by God himself. This is, after all, what Jesus came to do. When he taught us to pray, he told us to say, ‘Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.’ The Gospel is about Jesus bringing heaven to earth, not stealing us away to heaven. Secondly, this is a Trinitarian event. God the Father speaks and the Spirit descends on Jesus, the Son. Every single baptism is a Trinitarian event, because it is an adoption into the life of the Trinity itself. It is not a symbolic washing only; it is a renewal of the human person so that they can be filled with the Spirit and participate in the divine nature. We do not live here simply as flesh and blood but as participants in the life of the Trinity, as the family of God. And it’s baptism that accomplishes that; the single most defining aspect of our identity. And, if we really want a transformation in the Church, we should spend more time reflecting on this Trinitarian reality we are part of here and now. Let us pray that the wonder of what God has done for us through baptism will capture us and move us to live holier, more radiant and joyful lives. 🙏

Hi all, our Mass times have recently been revised. Mass will continue to be live-streamed. #melbournecatholics

St Marys reopens soon for Mass. Our new post-lockdown Mass times have been published on our website. Please head to our website for details. https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/mass-confession#reopening #melbournecatholics #melbournecatholic

Join @smyamelb this Friday night over Zoom for our weekly Moral Theology Lectures. This week we shall be exploring the "Evil Acts: Sin". If you would like to attend and have not registered already, please fill out this form to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/hXQgjFSAnf6XfcsK7

Join @smyamelb this Friday night over Zoom for our weekly Moral Theology Lectures. This week we shall be exploring the "Good Acts & Virtues". If you would like to attend and have not registered already, please fill out this form to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/hXQgjFSAnf6XfcsK7

Join @smyamelb this Friday night over Zoom for our weekly Moral Theology Lectures. This week we shall be exploring the "Conscience". If you would like to attend and have not registered already, please fill out this form to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/hXQgjFSAnf6XfcsK7

Still don't know what you'll be doing this Friday night? Why not join @[17841408772101270:@smyamelb] this Friday night over Zoom for our weekly Moral Theology Lectures. This we shall be exploring the "The Morality of Human Acts". If you have not registered already, please fill out this form to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/hXQgjFSAnf6XfcsK7 #melbourne #melbournelockdown #thingstodo

Posted • @franciscus EN: We should not pursue God in dreams and in images of grandeur and power, but He must be recognised in the humanity of Jesus and, as a consequence, in that of the brothers and sisters we meet on the path of life. #GospelOfTheDay (Jn 6:60-69) #Angelus

On the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary: “Assumpta est Maria in coelum: gaudent angeli! —God has taken Mary —body and soul— to Heaven: and the Angels rejoice! So sings the Church. —And so, with that same outburst of joy, do we begin our contemplation in this decade of the Holy Rosary: The Mother of God has fallen asleep. —Around her bed are the twelve Apostles. —Matthias in the place of Judas. And we, through a grace respected by all, are also at her side. But Jesus wants to have His Mother, body and soul, in Heaven. —And the heavenly Court, arrayed in all its splendour, hails Our Lady. —You and I —children after all— take the train of Mary's magnificent blue cloak, and so we can watch the marvellous scene. The most Blessed Trinity receives and showers honours on the Daughter, Mother, and Spouse of God... —And so great is Our Lady's majesty that the Angels exclaim: Who is she?” // Holy Rosary. #StJosemariaEscriva #OpusDei #CatholicCulture #Catholic #Assumption

Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross. Australia’s first saint. Born in Melbourne Photo of her statue in Mary MacKillop Plaza, St Francis Xavier Cathedral #australia #melbourne #saint

Posted @opusdei_en Happy feast of the Transfiguration! No! Going up the mountain does not mean forgetting reality; praying never means avoiding the difficulties of life; the light of faith is not meant to provide beautiful spiritual feelings... Igniting little lights in people’s hearts; being little lamps of the Gospel that bear a bit of love and hope: this is the mission of a Christian. (Pope Francis, February 28, 2021) #prayer #reallife

Mass streaming times during Lockdown. For more info please visit: https://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/mass-confession

Posted @franciscus EN: Let us pray for the Church, that she may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel. #PrayerIntentions

Posted @franciscus EN: Let us pray for all the sick that may no one be left alone, that everyone receive the anointing of listening, closeness and care. We can all give it with a visit, a phone call, an outstretched hand. In these days of being hospitalized, I have experienced how important good health care is, accessible to all. This precious benefit must not be lost which needs everyone's commitment.

Posted @melbournecatholic Sunday 1 August marked the third anniversary of Archbishop Peter A Comensoli's installation as the ninth Archbishop of Melbourne. Let us continue to keep him in our prayers as he leads our local Church. And during this National Vocations Awareness Week especially, let's give thanks for his "YES" to always seek the heart of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and to share His love with zeal. Happy anniversary, @archbishopcomensoli!🙏

Posted @melbournecatholic Today is the feast day of St John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests and commonly known as the Cure of Ars. 📷: St John Vianney (Photo by Fr Lawrence Lew OP) #feast #saint #stjohnvianney #priest #preach #serve #jesus #lord #god #eucharist #holyspirit #witness #proclaim #confession #forgiveness #love #gospel #heal #mercy #catholic #melbournecatholic

Posted @melbournecatholic Our Catholic faith is central to our lives and influences the way we live, love and serve our neighbours. Your answer in the Australian Census also influences how essential things like churches, hospitals, schools and homes for the elderly are resourced. Faith matters. Make your faith count. Check “Catholic” in this year’s Census. 🙏 #catholic #faith #faithmatters #jesus #jesuschrist #god #holyspirit #trinity #belief #believe #serve #proclaim #witness #faithcounts #community #mission