The Church in Australia marked World Communications Day on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9. As many would be aware, it is held a week earlier than (most of) the rest of the Catholic world, given the fact we celebrate the Ascension on what in other countries is the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Read Pope Francis’s full message here: “Come and See” (Jn 1:46). Communicating by Encountering People Where and as They Are”

With the Sixth Sunday in Easter this year coinciding with Mother’s Day, an important celebration in parishes and other Church settings, the focus on the message “Come and See” can be acknowledged as communities see fit.  Resources have been provided and while they mention World Communications Day and build off this year’s theme of “Come and See”, the resources as a little more “timeless”.

In the relevant “Come and See” Scripture passage, people are invited to see “where Jesus is staying”, looking at the theme which talks about seeing where Jesus teaches, prays, heals and serves.

You can read more at www.catholic.org.au/comeandsee  Other resources will be added in the coming weeks, with the expectation that the “Come and See” theme could be used for a number of months or years even. It is hoped that these resources will help people within our Catholic communities – parishioners, employees, volunteers, school families, patients, clients – have a sense of the Church and its impact. The additional material will include material outlining the Church’s significant contribution to Australian society and video content with a similar focus.