If you’re exploring faith or just beginning your spiritual journey, the Diocese of Parramatta’s The FaithFeed offers a warm and welcoming place to start.
Designed for adults in their 20s to 40s, The FaithFeed creates space for open conversations about life, spirituality, and purpose — grounded in authenticity and shared experience. More than a ministry, it’s a movement of dialogue, encounter, and renewal.
“We like to pitch it as a date night or a TED Talk meets a faith audience,” said Donnie Velasco, facilitator with the Diocese’s Pastoral Formation – Mission Enhancement Team (MET), which organises the events with the aim of meeting people where they’re at in life and faith.
Mission Enhancement Team Facilitator Donnie Velasco (right) during The FaithFeed at St Michael’s, Baulkham Hills. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The FaithFeed experience
The FaithFeed is a dynamic evening event that engages young adults through live studio audience sessions featuring relatable storytellers — often parishioners — who share everyday faith stories.
“It’s in the ordinariness of these stories, that others begin to realise they can share theirs too,” Donnie says.
Parishioner Daniel Grace shares his testimony during The FaithFeed at St Michael’s, Baulkham Hills. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
The FaithFeed extends its reach through its website and social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and YouTube), sharing regular stories to meet people wherever they are. After each event, the team produces short video packages with discussion prompts, distributing them to the 45 parishes and 80 diocesan schools to keep the conversation going.
When faith feels distant
Established in 2017 to bridge growing disconnection between young adults and institutional Church life in Western Sydney, The FaithFeed offers a welcoming space where questions are valued, stories matter and faith can be rediscovered personally and communally.
“We’ve engaged around 800 to 900 people face-to-face across Western Sydney through FaithFeed, but our reach is even greater online,” Donnie says.
Joining Donnie as event facilitators are Alison Ryan and Rachael Kama. Rachael is a gifted musician and creative force behind The FaithFeed Echo (or TFF ECHO for short), which fosters young adult faith development through music as prayer and spiritual expression.
Rachael Kama from the Mission Enhancement Team shares during The FaithFeed in September. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
From listening to transformation
The FaithFeed follows a three-step engagement process: receive, impact and name.
“Participants first receive a story or experience, then reflect on how it affects them — whether it challenges, inspires, or uplifts — and finally express that impact in their own words,” Donnie says.
Young people in discussion during The FaithFeed at St Michael’s, Baulkham Hills. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“Sharing personal stories, even about hardship, creates solidarity and spreads hope. The program encourages proactive engagement — like the Institute for Mission (IFM) pioneering the diocese’s recording studio in 2016 to amplify voices.”
Ordinary stories, sacred impact
Fololina Mafi, 28, a lifelong Catholic and regular attendee of The FaithFeed live Studio Audience events, shared her “Prodigal Daughter” story at the November 2023 event, about reconnecting with her faith through the Church.
A Western Sydney local active in music and youth ministries at Holy Family Parish, Emerton, she reflected on how God often works through quiet moments, such as listening and shared struggles, calling storytelling “holy ground”.
She appreciates The FaithFeed for creating “a space to be real”, where stories are shared, connections run deep and moments of “me too” remind you that you’re not alone.
Youth leader Fololina Mafi (left) during The FaithFeed at St Michael’s, Baulkham Hills. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
For her, The FaithFeed reveals the Church as more than rules or rituals.
“It’s a living community where real stories, struggles and joys are welcome… where people can connect, laugh, and be heard without pressure — and begin to see the Church as home. Not just a place they go, but a place they belong,” Fololina said.
The FaithFeed has helped Fololina become more intentional about creating space for real conversations, asking deeper questions and being present to those who may feel disconnected.
Her advice to anyone unsure about attending The FaithFeed? You’re not alone, and your story matters.
“Just showing up and listening can be the first step; God meets us in that small act of courage,” Fololina said.
Want to experience The FaithFeed for yourself? The next FaithFeed experience, under the ECHO branding will be part of HOPEFEST at St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens from 8-10 August. For more information or to register your interest to attend, visit parracatholic.org/hopefest
This article was originally published in the 2025 Ordinary Time | Winter edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
