The 2010 Jesuit Lenten Series is titled ‘Voices of Hope: The Catholic Church in a secular world’.  

This century offers a new landscape for the Church in Australia. There are fewer people going to Sunday Mass, while Catholic institutions in general are tackling questions of how to maintain their identity as the number of non-Catholics on staff increases. More broadly, issues of abuse and violence in the name of religion have seen many turn away from faith traditions entirely.

However, for millions around the world religion remains a source of hope. World Youth Day two years ago showed that young people are still interested in being connected with a community of faith. Religious organisations continue to devote enormous resources to improving the lives of those in need around the world. Meanwhile, people of faith continue to challenge governments and other leaders on issues of social justice.

The Jesuit Lenten Podcast Series will feature interviews with people from a range of backgrounds about Catholic faith in this new landscape. Presented by Australian Catholics editor Michael McVeigh and experienced broadcast journalist Catherine Marshall, the podcasts will explore areas where religion and secular society overlap, and ask how the Catholic Church can continue to offer witness to God in the world.

Stay tuned for the podcasts.

Breakfast launch

Bishop Greg O’Kelly will be the guest speaker at the series launch on 4 March. The breakfast is being organised by Immaculate Conception Parish in Hawthorn, Victoria, and will be held at Kooyong Tennis Club, 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong, from 7.15 am for a 7.30am start. The breakfast will conclude at 8.30am.

Tickets cost $40, and bookings can be made by contacting Berny Kirwan on (03) 8862 4020.

Click here to download the poster.