Anne-Marie, Maxi and Nenette share a lot in common. They’re all parents. They belong to the same Catholic parish community in Marayong. And most recently, they form part of a larger team of volunteers at Marayong who support refugees and asylum seekers transitioning to Australia.

The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) is one such program that facilitates this transition. The CRISP program is driven by Rita Hakkoum from Catholic Care Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains. Through program, Rita facilitates connections between families – between those who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country; and those who choose to volunteer their time and presence to accompany such families.

See the following for references and further links to such initiatives made in the podcast:

Check out these other Peace, Justice and Ecology episodes featured on the Soul Food Podcast:

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

Intermission Music Track:

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"Your kingdom come, your will be done 'on earth' as it is in heaven," forms part of the prayer that Jesus shared with his followers when they asked him how they should pray. It is this impetus of being collaborators in God's mission - co-missionaries in bringing about God's kingdom - that Sebastian Salaske-Lentern draws great passion for, especially within his role as Peace, Justice and Ecology (PJE) Coordinator in the Diocese of Parramatta.

In light of Laudato Si’ Week (16-24 May), Sebastian explores how ecological stewardship and broader themes of working for peace and justice in civic society, forms an integral part of faith for all baptised people. Rather than it being a "side hustle", Sebastian follows the example of Pope Francis in encouraging the faith-filled response of social action, which is informed by the interconnected issues of human dignity, care for creation and striving for justice. To encourage all listeners, he offers doable, practical suggestions as well as resources and events on how to integrate these principles in our daily life.

This podcast was created to encourage those involved or interested in the spaces that empower all people in engaging with Laudato Si’ Week as well as various questions of peace, justice and ecology. See the following for references and further links to such initiatives made in the podcast:

Check out these other Peace, Justice and Ecology episodes featured on the Soul Food Podcast:

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

From LIFTED experiences, to World Youth Day and the Good Friday Walk that sees hundreds of young people engaged in a life & faith – meet Eleanor Bonwick and Sebastian Duhau, key members of Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) led by Qwayne Guevara – the team that drives all these initiatives and more for young people in Western Sydney. In all of CYPs offerings is the underlying aim to meet young people from Western Sydney where they are, so that they may be accompanied toward their fullest potential.

Jump into the journeys of both Eleanor and Seb in this podcast, as their experience serves as both inspiration for joining CYP and motivation for the way in which they deliver youth and young adult ministry within the diocese and beyond.

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “ “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

‘What is my vocation?’ is a question that Stephen Baird often revisits. So it might come to a surprise to some that the simply act of making crepes for his family in their kitchen is for him sacred ritual that keeps him grounded and in touch with what he’s on about. In similar fashion, his experience of the Christian faith and his role as a CEO serve as reminders to keep asking the question of what is his purpose in life – and how that can best be meaningfully refreshed.

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

Here we are. Episode one for the new year. A short one this time around, celebrating the year that’s been and looking forward to the year ahead. Looking forward to encountering you in the space!

Experience these 2023 podcast highlights once again:

Stay up to date with the Diocese of Parramatta Synod: https://parracatholic.org/synod/⁠

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

It is wholesome to hear Christopher White describe Pope Francis as one who has recently taught him the value of having a good laugh – and at yourself, first and foremost. Equally refreshing is the way Christopher reflects on key seasons in his life, including his current role as National Catholic Reporter’s (NCR) Vatican Correspondent. Some of his reflections to date include the way he lives across the two cities of New York and Rome; his passion for crafting a good story; the movements between homecoming and adventure when it comes to his current role; and his ongoing discerning of where joy and work find fulfilling alignment.

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

In this episode of Soul Food, Alison Ryan from the Mission Enhancement Team (MET) takes us through to some key “formation” experiences of synodality in our diocese to date. She reflects on the original meaning of the word “synod”, the longstanding practice of synods and synodality in the Church and the art of synodal spiritual as it's expressed today.

Keep an eye out on free online formation opportunities produced by MET: https://pfparra.org.au/

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

For Rita Hakkoum, belonging restored her faith in humanity as she now calls Australia a home away from home. Her passion for advocacy, community outreach and community organising which is grounded in much of her own lived experience, let her to work for Catholic Care Social Services in the Diocese of Parramatta. Now Rita facilitates spaces of belonging, which she knows can make all the difference in someone’s sense of self and their place in the community.

Links to references in the podcast:

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

Sue Martin invites you to experience a contemplative walk in nature. In this mindfulness exercise, we’re invited to recognise God within – as well as God who is revealed in creation around us, whether that’s in nature or in the people we encounter each day.

References made during conversation

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

How can we experience God’s Spirit in our life experience? For Jason Ball, he’s come discover that the God’s Spirit of affirmation can come through others encouraging us, especially during the times when he didn’t quite back himself. In fact, through hindsight, Jason has been able to recognise God walking alongside him, particularly when he felt most lonely and disconnected from others. This practice of reflecting on God’s presence in his life has allowed Jason to be more open to trusting the process in the midst of challenges and hopelessness.

Links to references made in the podcast

Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team wants to deliver through the episodes on the Soul Food podcast.

Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!