Jacob’s famished fields
With the prolonged absence of steady rainfall across the country, images of arid and cracked landscapes, dust storms and cattle with bones protruding are commonplace. Hostage to severe weather conditions, the lack of moisture has far-reaching impacts.
Of some new ‘things’
Where I lived when I was a teenager, one of the aspirations of many a Catholic schoolboy was to be dating a girl from PLC, the Presbyterian Ladies College.
Take the chance to respond
As a priest who sat through most of the special commission hearings in Newcastle, and some of the hearings of the royal commission in Sydney, I have heard firsthand of the damage of sexual abuse on those who experienced it.
Families, not orphanages
Imagine being 12 years old and living in an orphanage in rural Kenya with no family around you and no other pathway in your life until you turn 18, when you must leave to find your own way in the world. You don’t really know your story and you don’t belong to anyone. You are alone.
Life can be a beach
Refugee programs offered by the Development and Relief Agency (DARA) continue to expand, providing vital support to new Australian immigrants.
Spiritual journey to excellence in learning
The newly appointed principal of St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton, brings a commitment to the vitality of learning and an understanding he will be surrounded by like-minded passionate educators and learners.
Crossing that curricular bridge
St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm adopted cross-curricular work and co-teaching in its foundation year in 2018 through the clustering of subjects and teachers.
Levy creates innovative learning environment
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is expected to spend more than $92 million on school infrastructure in 2020, with the Federal and State Governments committing a combined $4m in funding.
School’s out forever
“Customers don’t really care that your ATAR was 98.5 if their food’s late.”
Faith in the system
Elizabeth Porter is a licensed conveyancer and director of Porter Veritas Conveyancing, which offers expert contract advice for purchasers, and contract preparation and advice for vendors.
Eclectic festival catches the ear
Attendees of the three-day Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Perth late last year received sage advice as well as enjoying workshops and live performances.
Seeking God through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
As humans, our lives are not static. We grow and learn to understand the truths about ourselves, others and the world around us through relationships.
Flames fan distress
Q: The bushfires across Australia have significantly impacted on me and my children. Although we are lucky and not directly affected, my children and I feel distressed and helpless due to the loss and devastation. One of our neighbours lost their home in the fires and I want to help. What can I do to get through this and make sense of it all?
Feast before fasting
Lent begins this year on 26 February. It is an important time on the Catholic calendar, as we prepare for Easter.
OOSH to the holiday rescue
The rise in dual-income families has typically left parents short on care options during the school holidays but St Nicholas OOSH has stepped in to fill the gap and the kids are loving it.
Relationships give meaning to life
Christian theology of the Catholic variety is essentially practical. It is tapping into an ongoing meditation on the nature and purposes inherent in all our relationships.
Ethical concerns surround mitochondrial donation
In November last year, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ran a public campaign asking whether Australia should allow the creation of babies with DNA from more than two people?
Review: A Sceptic’s Search for Meaning
Mike Willesee is a fantastic storyteller and from the first sentence of A Sceptic’s Search for Meaning, he draws the reader in.
Vatican to open secret archive
Almost 12 months ago Pope Francis announced a decision that is expected to shed light on one of the most controversial periods of Vatican history.
Little voices and the Kingdom of Heaven
Exploring ways to encourage and welcome young families in or back to the Catholic Church is a modern challenge being creatively addressed in a small pocket of our Diocese.
