By Emmaus Productions, 28 January 2026 Catholic Outlook- Diocese of Parramatta
Image: Anna Schroeder/Unsplash
A new group resource focusing on ecological conversion and integral ecology offers a personal and relational transformative journey for those seeking spiritual enrichment and ways to foster the collective good amidst a world and a planet in crisis and transition.
Thresholds of Transformation for Seekers and Searchers will launch its first official group in Australia on February 24, 2026.
Monica Brown, Executive Director of Emmaus Productions who has developed and published Thresholds of Transformation for Seekers & Searchers (TTSS) emphasised that TTSS is not a course or a program, but rather, a multi-disciplinary change process and transformative journey that promotes integral ecology for the good of our “common home”.
Monica explains that “Thresholds of Transformation for Seekers and Searchers is a unique and timely integration of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, the Universe Story, our Catholic/Christian Story and the Gospel values of Jesus. Its objective is to offer personal and communal spiritual enrichment and transformation. It deepens our awareness of our inherent dignity and interdependence with one another and all creation and urges us to become more conscious of our personal choices and their impact on our lives within our common home.”
Thresholds of Transformation for Seekers and Searchers consists of 15 two-hour group gatherings, held in local or regional in-person groups or via Zoom, and led by a specially trained Group Coordinator and Ritual Leader.
Each Gathering features the communal viewing of the visually beautiful online Gathering videos, with inspiring presentations, that are interspersed with personal and communal reflection, interactive process and sharing, and meaningful ritual and prayer.
TTSS was launched internationally on September 1, 2025. Groups are already running in the USA and others are starting up in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. The first official Australian group will commence on 24 February 2026.
The idea for TTSS was conceived during an international project with Women Religious focused on the crisis and transition of the world and planet. It was during this experience that Donna Fyffe (USA), Hilary Musgrave (Ireland) and Monica Brown (Australia) felt a compelling call to respond to the cry of Earth; the Cry of Humanity (Laudato Si’).
Embracing this call, they sensed the need for a transformative change process, and developed Thresholds of Transformation: Personal, Communal, Systemic Transformation, with the first edition being specifically designed for Women Religious, their Associates and Mission Partners.
“From this transformative experience many requests came in for a specific edition of Thresholds of Transformation for lay women and men.” Monica went on to say that “this resulted in the new edition, Thresholds of Transformation for Seekers & Searchers.”
In a welcome video for TTSS, Donna said the resource seeks to respond to the context of our times, “a time of break down and break through, a time of war, violence, economic and political instability, a time of climate crisis and forced migration. At this time of massive change and unknown solutions, where is the voice in the wilderness providing a path for the way?”
Donna goes on to say, “Thresholds of Transformation believes that Pope Francis, in his seminal documents, Laudato Si’ and Laudato Deum, provides a vision and pathway to light our way. While the focus of Thresholds of Transformation is about personal and relational transformation, its wider vision and deep hope is that personal transformation will contribute to a new world order of integral ecology that Pope Francis urges all humanity to strive for.”
The Welcome Video also highlights the use of trees as the fundamental metaphor for the Threshold of Transformation journey. Hilary notes that, “in how each tree is attentive to the other’s needs, they enable the forest to become a life-giving entity for all dwellers. They model the dynamics of the personal and relational aspect of our lives. By allowing the mystery of their transformation to speak to our hearts, they can bring us into a deeper understanding of the nature of our own personal and relational growth and transformation.”
Here in Australia, TTSS has captured the interest of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service which is running a separate pilot study to explore how parishes and diocesan offices can engage in TTSS.
In addition, the Broken Bay Institute is partnering with TTSS to offer certification for anyone who completes TTSS.
Bishop Timothy Harris, Chair of the ACBC’s Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, encouraged bishops and others to, “consider this program as an opportunity to ground the commitment of your diocese to integral ecology in the spiritualty of Laudato Si’”.
Joanne, one participant in TTSS, said the experience challenged her to incarnate the values of Laudato Si’.
“Through information, videos, poetry, personal reflection and dialogue, it is a formative experience,” she said. “It provides the opportunity to see, hear and experience what Pope Francis proposes – an ‘ecological conversion’. It stretches minds and hearts, providing a group with new vocabulary to reflect on one’s own choices and behaviour.”
Other participant feedback said TTSS featured “captivating content and process” and was “a prayerful experience that deepened and strengthened our spirituality”.
To learn more about TTSS or for information on how to join the February TTSS group, email [email protected] or call Emmaus Productions on 0494 148 487.
With thanks to Emmaus Productions. Catholic Outlook- Diocese of Parramatta
