Soul Food Podcast

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. In this episode of the Soul Food Podcast, we hear form Anne Marie, Maxi and Nenette as they accompany a refugee family, advocating for their medical, educational and community needs. One key part of their common experience is how mutually transformative the journey has been. In their own way, they speak of the adage that is often associated with volunteer spaces: that where people thought they were “giving” as volunteers found that they too “received” much from what they’ve shared. See the following for references and further links to such initiatives made in the podcast: ⁠Marayong Catholic Parish⁠ ⁠The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) Program⁠ ⁠Catholic Care Western Sydney & Blue Mountains⁠ Check out these other Peace, Justice and Ecology episodes featured on the Soul Food Podcast: ⁠⁠E13 Faith and hope born from a refugee camp⁠⁠ ⁠E18 A journey to knowing I am loved⁠⁠ ⁠⁠E37 In giving we receive: the mutual exchange at the core of our humanity⁠⁠ ⁠⁠E63 God, creation and greening the heart of the Church ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠E65 A contemplative walk in nature ⁠(a guided mindfulness exercise)⁠ ⁠⁠E66 Belonging that restores faith in humanity⁠⁠ ⁠E71 Peace, Justice and Ecology as Integral to Catholic Faith⁠ 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: Fragments - AERØHEAD https://soundcloud.com/aerohead Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-fragments Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/O7PzeUTESAA

"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: Laudato Si' Week resources: https://linktr.ee/met.pje PJE Table Talk during Laudato Si’ Week 2024: Monday 20 May, 6pm at Glenbrook: Find out more and register at: https://tinyurl.com/laudatosi-table-talk Catholic Earthcare - Caritas Australia Website (a work of the Australian Catholic Bishop's Conference) - A program of Caritas Australia: https://catholicearthcare.org.au God in Nature - A Jesuit resource page for ecological spirituality: https://godinnature.org.au Check out these other Peace, Justice and Ecology episodes featured on the Soul Food Podcast: E13 Faith and hope born from a refugee camp E18 A journey to knowing I am loved E37 In giving we receive: the mutual exchange at the core of our humanity E63 God, creation and greening the heart of the Church E65 A contemplative walk in nature (a guided mindfulness exercise) E66 Belonging that restores faith in humanity 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. This podcast was created to encourage those involved in the spaces that engage and empower young people. See the following for references and further links to such initiatives made in the podcast: 29 March –  Good Friday Walk 6 April – At The Well Gathering 28 April – LIFTED Sports Day 2 May – Duc in Altum: Happy Hour More CYP, youth and young adult events 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. Come along with the team on this journey of storytelling, listening & discovery! Everyone has a story!

‘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 to encourage those involved in the spaces of peace, justice and ecology. See the following for references and further links to such initiatives made in the podcast: International Justice Mission: https://ijm.org.au/ St Josephine Bakhita Feast Day Mass: https://parracatholic.org/events/st-josephine-bakhita-feast-day-mass/ Project Compassion Launch: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=793691836134546&set=a.339743858196015 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: 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 & 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. Learning more about Christopher White: https://www.ncronline.org/authors/christopher-white 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: Parish Refugee program: https://catholiccarewsbm.org.au/article/parish-refugee-sponsorship/ Upcoming Catholic Care Events: https://refugeesponsorship.org.au/updates/events/ Catholic Care: Western Sydney & Blue Mountains: https://catholiccarewsbm.org.au/ Mamre house: https://www.facebook.com/MamreHouseandFarm/ 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 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.podbean.com/e/thresholds-episode-two-with-anne-boyd/ Eugene Stockton: https://www.hermitary.com/articles/stockton.html 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 Bishop Vincent on ABC (requires free sign up): https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RN2211H015S00    Padre Pio parish men’s group: ⁠https://padrepio.org.au/⁠ Maronite Catholic Church – Mt Druitt: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/stjohnthebelovedchurch/⁠ Fr Mike Schmitz Bible In a Year: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-in-a-year-with-fr-mike-schmitz/id1539568321⁠ 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!

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 competition in our priorities. But rather, it means appreciating that the two are intimately linked and therefore call for our equal care and accompaniment. For principles, actions and resources that invite all to care for creation inspired by Laudato Si: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/ For more on Sue’s current role: https://jisa.org.au/blog/2020/09/14/welcome-to-sue-martin/ 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!

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 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! Music Track 1: “Endless Inspiration” by Nick Petrov Music Track 2: "Love of my Life" by Boxcat Games (From the Free Music Archive, CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)

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 does that mean to be a gift giver? Come on this Soul Food reflection with Alison to ponder, what does it mean to be eucharist – “the good gift”. 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 (MET) 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

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 Pierre (Care Digital) Find out more about Care Digital 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!

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: to remember that “reality is greater than ideas”. 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!

Qwayne Guevera 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 Music attribution: Fragments - AERØHEAD https://soundcloud.com/aerohead Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/al-fragments Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/O7PzeUTESAA 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!

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 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 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 expressions of personal action in the world. Watch Josephine’s story on 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 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! Music Track 1: They Say by Wowa Musik https://soundcloud.com/wowamusik Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music provided by Audio Library https://youtu.be/E6LCO7SH8kA  

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 into reality, affirming each of our unique place in the divine song. Watch Justine’s story on 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 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! Music Track 1: They Say by Wowa Musik https://soundcloud.com/wowamusik Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music provided by Audio Library https://youtu.be/E6LCO7SH8kA  

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 podcast. Overwhelming feedback showed interest for “people’s stories” and “everyday experiences sparking deep thought.” This is what the Mission Enhancement Team (MET) 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