You never know the story of the person sitting next to you until you ask. At the Mission Enhancement team, we have the privilege of knowing James Athanasius Lukere (who happens to sit next to Raimie Caramancion in the office) a fellow team member. He speaks so openly about his experience of struggle for 14 years in a refugee camp in North Uganda. This experience has shaped his hope, passion for life, and faith in God - all of which he brings his Diocese of Parramatta role as a Peace, Justice, Ecology Facilitator.

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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au 

We're featuring another special of the Soul Food podcast! It's the week of the 2nd Assembly of the Plenary Council from 3-9 July in the St Mary's Cathedral Hall, Sydney, Australia. Raimie and Donnie have collated snippets from conversations with some of the members representing us in the Diocese of Parramatta. What is the plenary process? What are the differences, challenges, positive impact and hopes for the Catholic Church in Australia? What are Raimie and Donnie's hopes for the Plenary process?

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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

How is a person's character formed? How does becoming more truly human connect with becoming more whole as a Christian? How does being in touch with mind and heart influence the way we respond to others and the world around us? These are some of the questions that Br Aengus ponders, drawing from a lifetime of experience in the space of formation. For him, formation isn't solely about the imparting of knowledge or facts - sometimes referred to as the 'what' of formation. What is equally important in the formative process is the 'who' that's being nurtured.

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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

In this 10th episode special, Donnie and Raimie take time to share and reflect on the SOUL FOOD Podcast journey. They share their recent favourite food, the mission and vision of the work they do as part of Pastoral Formation, and remember the origin of the name 'SOUL FOOD'. Donnie and Raimie share one of their favourite stories in the past 9 weeks and also some workshops they are offering in the Diocese of Parramatta. Raimie refers to Francis' story about responsibility with a story of his daughter and gluten-free food (Ep 9 2:50-4:18, 15:43-17:32). Donnie talks about his conversation with Carol particularly about a story that made her weep from someone seeing and naming a beautiful trait in her (Ep 7 04:47-06:38).

If you would like to share your story or know someone they would like to refer to feature on the SOUL FOOD Podcast, email Raimie via [email protected]

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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

I want the Church to be vibrant, alive and full of the Spirit but where do I start?

Conversation Partners

SOUL FOOD 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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au or contact The FaithFeed team via www.thefaithfeedparramatta.com.au

Often you hear that ‘young people are the future of the Church.’ Through her life experience, Maddy Forde provides an example of a slightly different narrative: that young people have the capacity to be leaders in the Church here and now. Maddy attributes her formative faith leadership development to the youth ministry space. By listening to and being present to the stories of young people, she has discovered the treasured gift of mutual accompaniment. Maddy holds these experiences as influential in developing an openness to uproot, take up ministry roles interstate; and more recently to accepting an international role through the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

Carol loves getting to know other people. She has had both a heart and a lifetime of experience for hospitality, spirituality and faith formation. Carol is also one of the Diocese of Parramatta representatives involved in the Plenary Council in Australia. She traces her council involvement to the common theme of listening to what the Spirit is saying through stories of significant moments in her life.

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

For more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

Pastoral Formation has a new team member! From the Antioch movement, youth and young adult ministry, Scripture and study in the Holy Land, Alison Ryan brings a wealth of insight, experience and skill into the areas of pastoral theology and ministry. Learn more about her story and her particular work with pastoral councils of all levels in the Diocese of Parramatta.

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

For more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

For over several decades, Len has been engaged in the ministry of spirituality and group facilitation, accompanying others in the journey of life and faith. From ministry in the education spaces with young people, to parishioners of all ages, Len brings an earthy spirituality of accompaniment that meets people where they are at, in the hope of encouraging them to be the best person they can be.

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 Pastoral Formation 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 more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au

How can I be less shy about asking questions when it comes to faith?

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

For more works by Pastoral Formation, visit www.pfparra.org.au