Many seek to change the world in big ways, but as Mother Teresa reminds us, it begins with small acts of love at home—caring for our families through presence, sacrifice, and humility. True love is found not in grand gestures, but in the everyday choices to serve, whether it’s changing nappies, listening to teenagers, or supporting aging parents. In each season of life, we are invited to grow in love—fathers and mothers, uncles and aunties, mentors and friends—all are called to show up with grace, especially when it's hard. Love stretches us beyond comfort, invites us into deeper relationship, and ultimately reflects God's compassion. Whether caring for a child or holding the hand of an elderly parent, our most powerful witness is our presence, reminding us that the world changes one small act of love at a time.

In this unique feature documentary, titled David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, the celebrated naturalist reflects upon both the defining moments of his lifetime and the devastating changes he has seen. Coming to Netflix October 4 2020, the film addresses some of the biggest challenges facing life on our planet, providing a snapshot of global nature loss in a single lifetime. With it comes a powerful message of hope for future generations as Attenborough reveals the solutions to help save our planet from disaster.

Fr Richard Lennan is a priest of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, ordained in 1983. Aftergraduate studies at the University of Oxford and the University of Innsbruck (Austria) where hewrote his dissertation on Karl Rahner’s ecclesiology, he taught from 1992-2007 at the CatholicInstitute of Sydney. During this time, he was a member of the Australian Anglican-Catholicdialogue and served as President of the Australian Catholic Theological Association (2005-07). FrRichard moved to the United States in 2007 to teach at Weston Jesuit School of Theology inCambridge MA and is currently Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology andMinistry at Boston College where he also chairs the Ecclesiastical Faculty. Fr Richard’s researchand teaching focus on ecclesiology, ministry and the theology of Karl Rahner. He has authored oredited nine books and is an editorial consultant for Theological Studies. Most recently, he was amember of the theological panel for the Plenary Council of Australia.

The 2025 Marian Lecture affirmed its commitment to reconciliation and solidarity with First Nations peoples. This spiritual beginning was followed by a prayer inspired by Pope Francis' reflections on hope, emphasizing that Christian hope is not wishful thinking but a certainty grounded in God’s fidelity. The Jubilee Year of Hope was invoked as a time for healing, outreach, and joyful witness to the Gospel in daily life.

In today’s Gospel – John 13:31-33 & 34-35 – we hear yet again the great commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” That commandment seems to be straightforward, but centuries of experience would suggest it is anything but. For example, C S Lewis suggests how our “loving” can actually be “unloving” in The Screwtape Letters. Screwtape, instructs the young devil, his nephew, Wormwood: “Avail yourself of the ambiguity in the word ‘Love’.” He continues with cutting irony: “‘If people knew how much ill-feeling Unselfishness occasions, it would not be so often recommended from the pulpit’; and again, ‘She’s the sort of woman who lives for others – you can always tell the others by their hunted expression’” (Chapter XXVI).

Christopher West begins by addressing a common struggle: how to remain faithful in thought and attitude, not just action, within marriage—especially when physical attraction to others arises. Drawing from St. Augustine, he affirms that pleasure in bodily beauty is not sinful if it leads us to praise the Creator. Beauty in creation awakens a deep longing in us, but it is not meant to satisfy; it points us to something greater—God. This initiates what West calls a “pilgrimage” from finite beauty to infinite Beauty.

In his homily, Pope Leo begins by recalling the words of the responsorial psalm: 'I will sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done marvels,' inviting the Church to recognize the blessings God continues to pour out through the ministry of Peter. Acknowledging the weight of the Petrine mission entrusted to him, he calls upon his brother cardinals and all believers to walk with him as a community of disciples, proclaiming the Gospel with joy. Quoting Peter’s profession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—Pope Leo emphasizes the Church’s duty to preserve, deepen, and share this core truth of faith through apostolic succession.

The future Pope begins by emphasizing that authentic evangelisation must begin with a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. While he acknowledges the usefulness of modern media, he cautions against reducing evangelisation to spectacle or superficial experiences. He stresses that many today are alienated from God and need to rediscover His presence in their lives. The Church must help individuals rekindle faith through deeper spiritual experiences, not flashy distractions. True evangelisation, he says, starts with interior conversion and a recognition of God's intimate presence within us.

Fatima (2020), directed by Marco Pontecorvo, is a faith-based historical drama that recounts the true story of three young shepherd children—Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto—in Fátima, Portugal, during World War I. In 1917, the children report experiencing multiple visitations from the Virgin Mary, who conveys messages urging prayer and repentance to bring about peace. These apparitions, along with the children's unwavering faith, draw attention from both devout believers and skeptical authorities.

Hail Mary, full of Grace. Hail Mary, full of Grace. The Lord is with Thee. The Lord is with Thee.

Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes that raising mentally strong children begins with prioritizing brain health, which he considers foundational to emotional well-being, decision-making, and relationships. By examining over 250,000 brain scans across 155 countries, Dr. Amen has observed that many psychiatric issues stem not from “mental illness” per se, but from underlying brain dysfunction. He argues that when the brain is healthy, people function better mentally, emotionally, and socially. This insight reframes behavioral challenges in children—from impulsivity to aggression—not as character flaws or bad parenting, but as symptoms of a brain that needs healing and support.

Steve Biddulph’s interview on the Understanding Boys podcast reflects on his decades-long work as a psychologist and parenting educator. He begins by discussing the positive evolution in fatherhood—from the distant, disciplinarian fathers of past generations to the more emotionally present and engaged dads of today. His early efforts, especially through books like Raising Boys, sought to encourage men to show affection, drop the stoic facade, and realize their unique and essential role in their children’s emotional development. He celebrates the shift in modern parenting, where fathers are now more involved, hands-on, and willing to express vulnerability, benefiting children's confidence and emotional health.

Living with the paradoxes of today demands a fundamental shift in perspective, as emphasized by Brother Tony Leon in his presentation. He delineates two mindsets prevalent in contemporary society: the fixed mindset, characterized by a presumption of finality, and the growth mindset, which embraces possibility and change. Drawing from Carol Dweck's research, Leon illustrates how a growth mindset fosters resilience and success, contrasting with the limitations of a fixed mindset. James Hynes further underscores the transformative power of language, highlighting its ability to shape our reality. Through the lens of James P. Carse's exploration of finite and infinite games, Leon invites reflection on divergent approaches to life, emphasizing the need to transition from competition to collaboration. He illustrates this concept through the evolution of technology and the playful improvisation of everyday life. The recognition of paradoxes inherent in both finite and infinite perspectives underscores the complexity of human relationships and invites deeper understanding. Reflecting on the paradoxes within the Gospels, such as the dual nature of Christ and the enigma of peace, prompts contemplation of the mysteries of faith. Sr Mercedes Navarro Puerto's poignant depiction of the 'magic hour' of Marist Life elucidates the transformative power of rebirth amidst uncertainty. Václav Havel's insight into hope, Father Tim Radcliffe's recognition of humanity's thirst for transcendence, and Anthony Doerr's metaphorical exploration of light collectively prompt introspection on the profound questions that define the human experience. As we navigate the intricate interplay between light and darkness, hope and uncertainty, we are reminded that embracing paradoxes offers pathways to deeper understanding and illumination amidst the complexities of life.

Father Richard Leonard invites the audience to see each sacrament not as a mere ritual, but as a lived encounter with Christ that offers healing, belonging, and mission. He especially emphasized that Christ—not the minister—is the true actor in every sacrament. He emphasized that at the core of Jesus’ ministry is compassion—what Pope Francis calls the “language of God”—and that this divine compassion is most tangibly experienced in the sacraments.