As Sydney is under a stay-at-home order and regional NSW has increased restrictions, we deal with the fallout.

We discuss what these restrictions meant to our plans, and discuss Rise: Reset a placeholder for the Rise Youth Festival which has been postponed due to restrictions.

We also discuss what this means for Diep and Thao's ordination to the Diaconate coming up.

Finally, we speak to Stephen Read from the National Centre for Pastoral Research about his work and what it tells us about the makeup of our parishes.

You can read about the Building Stronger Parishes report here.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

Pope Francis had some interesting things to say in his latest audience. We discuss what he has to say about the mission of St Paul. Josh gave a song recommendation that pairs with the need to trust the path of God.

We are unrolling the "Bread Come Down from Heaven" faith series across the diocese. We discuss this opportunity to deepen our understanding of the Eucharist through the scriptures.

This leads us to discuss the scriptures and the many ways we can experience the Word of God, including through Connect@Home

Finally, we are joined by Bishop Mark Calder, Anglican Bishop of Bathurst who shares his journey in the Anglican Communion as he has learnt to trust God and love the scriptures.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

Fr Karl and Deacon Josh share their excitement about Rise, which gets closer.

Mass will be offered in the extraordinary form at St Lawrence O'Toole in Mandurama on Sunday 27th June at 11AM. We discuss what it means to celebrate mass in the "extraordinary form", the history of this and where it stands in relation to the Ordinary Form of the Mass usually in our parishes.

The Extraordinary Form is notable for its use of servers, which leads us to discuss liturgical ministries in general, and what they have to do with the notion that the faithful should have "full, conscious and active participation" in the liturgy.

We put out a last call for Volunteers at Rise.

Finally, we are joined by Dizzy May who shares the story of her faith, how faith brought her to Australia, Harp Therapy, Supervision and working on people's wills as a solicitor.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

Its snowing! Well at least it was at time of recording.

As they brave the cold, Karl and Josh bravely offer a series of corrections offered by listener Dale about Christianity in the Philippines.

There is a call for volunteers for the Rise Youth Festival. We discuss the importance of making sure Youth Ministry doesn't become something over on the side, but is instead something that is the work of all Catholics.

Pope Francis' address to a forum discussing Amoris Laetitia caught Karl's eye. We discuss what he had to say and its implications for our own ministry.

Finally, we are joined by Lindsay Luck, Head of College at St Stanislaus' College, who shares his journey of faith and what it is like to be the head of college at an all-boys Catholic School.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

As we head into winter, we're braving the cold and are back for another episode.

The School Principals and Priests are meeting together in Dubbo this week. We discuss why these gatherings are important and the special relationship between our schools and parishes.

The Philippines are celebrating 500 years of Christianity this year, and we are marking the occasion on 13 June at the Cathedral with a special celebration.

Finally, we are joined by Sarkis Achmar, who joins us to discuss growing up in Sydney as a Maronite and how his faith sustains his work with disadvantaged young people.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

As we begin another episode, it suddenly occurs to us that our podcast's first anniversary has been and gone without us noticing. We celebrate our first year and look forward to more in the future.

Diep Nguyen and Thao Nguyen will be ordained to the Diaconate on 9th July in Bathurst. We celebrate this announcement.

Pope Francis continues his weekly audiences on prayer and his most recent audience has some choice quotes. We discuss how these effect the way we understand prayer, not as magic but rather an encounter of grace, and what it means when we call grace a "mystery".

Josh has been visiting the northern region of the diocese to discuss the Sacrament of Confirmation, and he speaks about that visit, which leads to a discussion about the importance of momentum in making things happen in parishes.

Finally, Gen Bryant, Melbourne-based musician and youth minister joins us to discuss her faith, her ministry and her upcoming visit to the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

Bishop Bosco Puthur, Eparch of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Melbourne, recently visited the diocese, which prompts Josh and Karl to discuss Eastern Churches.

Pentecost has just been, and we discuss what this great solemnity means for our Church.

The Vatican recently released guidelines for local celebrations of World Youth Day in 2021, to be held on the Solemnity of Christ the King.

We discuss the phenonemon of the online conference, with a few notable ones coming up. The Alive in the Spirit runs from 8-10 July. The Catholic Men's Gathering is on July 31st.

Finally, we are joined by Josh's wife, Anna, who shares with us the story of her faith and her experiences with ecumenism, as she takes up her position as she takes up her position as chair for the Diocesan Council for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

A huge episode this week.

We begin by discussing the songs that help us to pray.

We discuss the upcoming Rise Youth Festival featuring Genevieve Bryant.

The Cathedral Restoration Project won a National Trust Heritage Award and we encourage people to come and visit the renewed building and precinct.

Pope Francis released "Antiquum Ministerium", by which he institutes the permanent ministry of Catechist.

We discuss the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the importance of ecumenism.

Finally, we are joined by Father Michel Remery, author of Tweeting with God, all the way from Luxembourg, to discuss his journey of faith and his unique outreach to young people all across the word.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

We're back after missing a week!

Pope Francis has announced a new ministry of catechist. We discuss this development and talk about the formal recognition of lay ministries in the Church.

The Australian Catholic Men's Gathering is coming up. We preview the event.

Amy Sullivan, previous guest of the show, was awarded a scholarship recently. We congratulate her.

Finally, Malcolm Hart from the National Centre for Evangelisation joins us to discuss his faith journey and life in ministry.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

We bring you a special interview this week with Monsignor Jim Gehl from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Monsignor Jim speaks to us about the life of his parish, his battle with cancer and the difficulties of worship during a pandemic in a country that has been hit much worse than Australia.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett