Soul Food Podcast

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 …

In this episode of Soul Food, Alison Ryan from the Mission Enhancement Team (MET) takes us through to some key “formation” experiences of synodality …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

Donnie from the Mission Enhancement Team (MET) shares some highlights from his recent professional development experience in Belgium. From the oldest …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

This episode of Soul Food is a throwback to a live story shared by Kester Rozario at The FaithFeed live studio audience. At the time when he shared …

In this episode we're joined by Rachael Kama. Rachael is the newest member of the Mission Enhancement Team - the team behind the creation of the Soul …

It's hard not to feel a sense of abundance and appreciation for all of life’s potential when you meet Phil Dulawan. He’s a lover of life and has a …

Being this far into 2023, what hope do you carry for the year ahead? In this episode, Alison shares some of her reflections for how she’s trying to keep her eyes open to surprise and goodness in her everyday. In doing …

In this podcast special, Alison Ryan from the Mission Enhancement Team shares a conversation with Sr Nathalie Becquart, the most senior woman in the Vatican. From sailing across the seas to having coffees with Pope …

Walker draws on key moments in his life that became the foundation of some of his ‘core convictions’ – those deeply held values he discovered, which helped shape and give meaning to life. For Walker, these core …

The pillars of family, creation and career have formed Sally Butler’s mindfulness of the gift that mutuality can be. It is a gift where, borrowing …

What a year 2022 has been for the Soul Food podcast journey! Join Alison and Donnie from the Mission Enhancement Team for this Soul Food 2022 season …

Like many, the lead up to Christmas can be frantic. There's holiday plans, organising parties with loved ones and finalising present shopping. For …

Singer-songwriter Anthony Silvestrini shares a bit about what helped him remember some of his most significant life moments. Music it seemed, in …

Several years ago, Rosa Pualoa’s life changed when she said ‘yes’ to putting her career on hold and become a parent. What makes her decision …

What does the baptismal call of all Christians look like? For Mark O’Connor, his life experience and formation as a Marist brother has allowed him to discover that growth in the Christian life goes hand-in-hand with …

Remembrance day for Alison Ryan is a day close to her heart. Generations within her family have had different levels of involvement serving in the …

There is a particular joy in life that comes from otherness. It’s a gift that often comes from our openness to share our time and genuine interest in …

There's so much potential in being authentically in touch with our life-giving passions. For Mary Brazell, her passions connected her to spaces of …

Whilst affirming that the experience of family may vary for different people, Karina, as someone who has recently married, acknowledges the importance of her family in shaping her identity. For Karina, knowing who you …

Geoff Officer is a lover of history. To him, history is a great teacher of self. In pondering his own story, it is the witness of his father’s capacity for leaning into mystery and his mother’s reflective practical …

Kim Chong is the Media & Community Liaison for the Columban Centre for Christian Muslim Relations (CCCMR). She is also one of the three …

When you hear the word ‘vulnerability’, do you hear it as a weakness or a strength? From a Christian perspective, Alison observes that vulnerability …

Joann Loko knows firsthand what it means to lean into the stories of the people around her. As someone who was accompanied herself by community …

How are doubt and uncertainty experienced in the life and faith journey? For Phil D’Rozario, it is this movement from knowing to unknowing that describes his current expression of spirituality. Whilst not disregarding …

It was from the inspiration of role models and the spirit of accompanying others in need that drew Ailsa Mackinnon to join the Sisters of Mercy. When …

“If I met God face to face now, would God say, ‘I’m proud of you?’“ Kim, Francis & Donnie together ponder the question which was anonymously …

What does it mean to be called a 'disciple' of Jesus? Alison Ryan takes us on a life & faith reflection on what it means to be a disciple - a student. As disciple-students, a Christian is called to learn a …

James Camden is a young married family man who works as the Head of Mission Engagement in the Diocese of Parramatta. From aspiring lawyer, to journalist, television actor and youth worker, James has found his current …

Paul Harris is a man who knows and feels known by a God who is love. It is this relationship that forms his conviction as a gay man to joyfully live …

Why is it so hard to talk about our faith & religion today? Donnie, along with conversation partners Kim Chong and Francis O’Callaghan chat about their own experiences as a response to this question.

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Patty Andrew is a local wisdom figure who engages with the world with the heart of a curious learner. As both the recipient and practitioner of an integrative approach to education, she lives her life & faith …

Meet Jane Sio who shares with us her experience of her Samoan upbringing, navigating family, school and faith. Her story of struggle and encountering …

Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton once said, “When we’re truly listening, we also have to anticipate that we might become changed by what we’ve …

You never know the story of the person sitting next to you until you ask. At the Mission Enhancement team, we have the privilege of knowing James Athanasius Lukere (who happens to sit next to Raimie Caramancion in the …

We're featuring another special of the Soul Food podcast! It's the week of the 2nd Assembly of the Plenary Council from 3-9 July in the St Mary's …

How is a person's character formed? How does becoming more truly human connect with becoming more whole as a Christian? How does being in touch with …

In this 10th episode special, Donnie and Raimie take time to share and reflect on the SOUL FOOD Podcast journey. They share their recent favourite food, the mission and vision of the work they do as part of Pastoral …

I want the Church to be vibrant, alive and full of the Spirit but where do I start?
Donnie, along with conversation partners Kim Chong and Francis …

Often you hear that ‘young people are the future of the Church.’ Through her life experience, Maddy Forde provides an example of a slightly different narrative: that young people have the capacity to be leaders in the …

Carol loves getting to know other people. She has had both a heart and a lifetime of experience for hospitality, spirituality and faith formation. …

Pastoral Formation has a new team member! From the Antioch movement, youth and young adult ministry, Scripture and study in the Holy Land, Alison …

For over several decades, Len has been engaged in the ministry of spirituality and group facilitation, accompanying others in the journey of life and faith. From ministry in the education spaces with young people, to …

How can I be less shy about asking questions when it comes to faith?
Donnie, along with conversation partners Kim Chong and Francis O’Callaghan chat about their own experiences as a response to this question.

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This Soul Food episode features Raimie’s story. She speaks about influential teachers, seeking peace and seeing herself as a lifelong learner. One …

On this Soul Food episode, Raimie chats with Donnie. Migrant, dad (recent) and Westie (from Western Sydney) are three words that he uses to describe …

In this pilot episode of Soul Food, we get to know Raimie, Donnie and Sr Grace! They are from Pastoral Formation - Mission Enhancement Team in the …