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...
Nov 18, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 5
"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 ex...
May 17, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 4
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 potent...
Mar 27, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 3
‘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. This podcast was created...
Feb 15, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 2
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: Sally Butler Episode Rita Hakkoum Episode Phil Dulawan Episode Sue Martin Episode Christopher White Episode Stay up to date with the Diocese of Parramatta Synod: https://parracatholic.org/synod/ Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney...
Feb 01, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 1
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 ...
Nov 14, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 32
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 ...
Oct 09, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 31
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: Par...
Sep 29, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 30
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 Being With God in Nature Ministry: https://jisa.org.au/being-with-god-in-nature/ Jesuit Ignatian Spirituality Australia (JISA): https://jisa.org.au/ Universe Awakening - Anne Boyd: https://thresholds.podbea...
Sep 06, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 29
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 pr...
Aug 30, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 28
As a Catholic Christian, Sue Martin describes her mission as ‘greening the heart of the Church.’ For so, otherness – that is being attentive to the other – is an invitation to be aware of God’s presence in the other. This otherness can help us recognise that God is not only in the people we encounter, but also in all of creation that surrounds and sustains us. Sue reminds us that this way of life that is other centred doesn’t mean placing one over the other – placing either people or creation in...
Aug 22, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Vivian & Ram share about their experiences of relationships, dating and forgiveness. Whilst they acknowledge that their relationship is an ongoing work in progress, they have come to appreciate the freedom and life that can come with sharing their own inner tensions with each other in trust. 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 st...
Aug 02, 2023•17 min•Season 2Ep. 26
It’s good to be tired. Probably not we think of as an encouraging acknowledgement. That said, in a refreshing reflection shared by Alison Ryan from the Mission Enhancement Team (MET), we are invited to consider that there are different types of tiredness. Sometimes is a physical fatigue. Other times it’s a mental tiredness. And then there’s what Alison calls ‘eucharist’ tired – a deep kind of tired. What does it mean to ‘receive’ rest? If someone is receiving rest, who does the ‘giving’ and what...
Jul 31, 2023•16 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Sometimes the recognition of our own value can be the encouragement for others to acknowledge their own value. For Pierre Ymalay, being reminded of his own dignity enabled him to be someone who empowers others, especially through his professional work of content creation and storytelling. In light of the Diocese of Parramatta Synod, he ponders how Church communities can be places that restore the dignity of others by receiving all people as they are Diocese of Parramatta Synod video produced by ...
Jul 19, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Who are the people in your life that can connect with the expansive questions of meaning and purpose? Through the Soul Food podcast, we had the privilege to receive Marvin Madridano as one such conversation partner! As storyteller and content creator with knack for ongoing adaptive learning, we learn of some of the questions and convictions that he currently leans into. His searching finds common ground with a theme that Pope Francis has encouraged when it comes to the journey of life and faith:...
Jul 12, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Qwayne Guevara from The Mission Enhancement Team (MET) is the lead facilitator for the Parramatta Diocese Synod. Hear from Qwayne as she explains what the Synod is, how it’s an invitation for all the baptised to participate in; and how it translates to the enrichment, encouragement and empowerment in God’s mission for all the parishes in the diocese. References in order of mentions during the conversation: What is a Filipino Tinikling dance About Sydney Alliance Synod Resources Synod Submission ...
Jun 28, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Donnie from the Mission Enhancement Team (MET) shares some highlights from his recent professional development experience in Belgium. From the oldest Catholic university in the world to the theorist who came up with the Big Bang, Donnie shares about how his study experience can find translation and inspiration in ministry and pastoral settings in the space of adult faith formation. Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they want...
Jun 20, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 21
From snippets of her own life experience, Josephine explores the evocative power of ‘stories’. She recalls one such moment when her daughter asked a question about a homeless person they both had encountered. From her daughter’s curiosity, Josephine found a deepened appreciation in being open, present and engaged in the unique narrative behind each person's life. Such attentiveness to the story of others has also been a source of inspiration for Josephine’s ongoing commitment to different expres...
Jun 14, 2023•16 min•Season 2Ep. 20
What are the pressures, real or perceived, that we take on as our identity and sense of self? For Justine, she recollects some of the fears that make her question of whether or not she is enough. In holding the tension between what she does and who she is, Justine recognises the gift of being accompanied by others who reminds her that she is enough. She also recognises, from the stories of her Catholic Christian faith, that her ‘enoughness’ is in fact the place where the divine can come bursting...
Jun 06, 2023•18 min
This episode, Alison takes us through a reflection of becoming on the season of Pentecost. What if the Spirit of God is as close to you as your breath? This season is one of being inspired by the very Spirit that encouraged and sent Jesus to follow God's mission love - the same mission that we are also invited to embark on in everyday and ordinary ways. Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they wanted in a life & faith podc...
May 30, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In this episode of Soul Food, we’re kicking it back with Joe Oconor with a story he shared on The FaithFeed. For Joe, a search for an opportunity to assist and serve people living in poor communities led him to a surprising discovery. He hadn't expected that his decision to be among such communities would not only be a chance to make a difference for others, but be a catalyst for his own self discovery, confidence and identity. Watch Joe’s story on Youtube Joe refers to his sister Marie in the p...
May 23, 2023•18 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Both Annette and Tony Hoban are pioneers, leaders and core to the life of the faith community of St Luke’s in the Diocese of Parramatta. As a married couple and a deacon couple, they bring so much richness from their respective life & faith journeys. Their experiences have allowed them to know the value of welcome, of pastoral accompaniment; and of surprise, especially when you make the ask of God to speak into your deepest searching. Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney ...
May 16, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Helen Zammit is a salt-of-the-earth kind of person. She adds flavour and life to whatever community context she finds herself in. Through some early life experiences of grief and loss, Helen has nurtured the gift of holding loss and grief in the stories of others. Her gift of other-centred listening is one that embodies the life wisdom quote by the late Oscar Romero: “There are some things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydn...
May 10, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode, Alison, Rachael and Donnie from MET celebrate 50 episodes on the Soul Food podcast! On this milestone episode, the trio recall the gifts and wisdom of previous guests on the podcast, while dropping hints for what could feature in the next 50 episodes 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 “people’s stories” and “every...
May 02, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Baki Pesaloma is a natural community builder. He has a gift for creating human connection, building community with others through music. For Baki, music touches and reveals what’s most human and sacred in ourselves. And like God, music for Baki has and continues to be the soul friend who accompanies him through the ups and downs of life – a presence of solidarity and grace that reminds him that he is never alone. Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains w...
Apr 24, 2023•19 min•Season 2Ep. 13
How can we make the ordinary extraordinary in our everyday? Or how can you and I bridge the gap between faith and one’s lived reality? These are some of the questions of life, purpose and faith expression that have and continue to be at the forefront of Elizabeth McFarlane’s life. For her, through her Catholic schooling, social action and involvement with the Young Christian Students and Workers movement, she’s come to know that the heart of the Christian story calls people to encounter the myst...
Apr 18, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode Michael Dela Cruz traces some steps and shifts that he can now see as key foundations for where he is right now. Whilst he claims that his life is quite ordinary, Mike’s reflections hold a lot of potential encouragement, even healing, for all of us whose lives are a typical mix of ups and downs, regrets and joys. Starting with lessons from the basketball court and a fascination with Marvel studios, Mike’s talk lands in a few different parts of the world; experiences from which he...
Apr 11, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Holy Week, the biggest week of the Christian calendar, is a journey with Jesus from Palm Sunday through to his passion, death and resurrection. In this episode, Alison reflects on the liturgies and preparations during Holy Week as a way of finding our story, with all our hopes and challenges, held in the accompanying presence of Jesus, who walks with us through death into new life. Podcast backstory: Over 125 people around Western Sydney & the Blue Mountains were consulted for what they want...
Apr 05, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Winding through the roads of the Philippines, Marie Dela Cruz was confronted with a young girl who had survived a volcanic eruption. As their eyes met, it would spark for Marie a lifelong openness to the unexpected, leading her overseas and influencing key decisions in her life. Watch Marie's story via Youtube 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 ...
Mar 29, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Charbel Dib is a married man with four children who serves in the Maronite Catholic community as an ordained priest. His journey of life and faith is one of wholeness, integration and wrestling with questions of purpose and meaning. Through family foundations, soul friends and spiritual practices that helped to create space within, Charbel was able to discern key steps that led him to become more fully himself, through both his vocations of marriage and ordained priesthood. Podcast backstory: Ov...
Mar 21, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 8
