Paying some dues
I’ve just ticked over seven years as bishop, and I was out of action for the occasion. Flu. Like so many others.
St Bede’s is building a strong community
New diocesan secondary school, St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm, hosted a Student Showcase Evening early in June.
Holding the light for others
Question: What could a lay woman from the 12th century possibly have in common with a lay woman in 2018? Answer: A movement of women called Beguines.
Change of era in Oz
In a revealing throwaway line, Pope Francis captured something that is true for the Church across the world but most especially for the Church in Australia. The pope described our time in the church and wider society as “not so much an era of change as a change of era”.
Everyday holiness
“Holiness” has deep roots in the tradition of faith; it is the characteristic that the Bible and our liturgy apply most often to God. The tradition emphasises also that, through God, holiness is proper to us as well: “you shall be holy, for I am holy” (Lev 11:44).
If you change nothing, nothing will change
Q I’m not coping with being at work at the moment. I feel like I am a hated person and a group of staff now ignores me because I told them they made me feel uncomfortable for speaking badly about other staff. There seems to be a culture of negativity and when I raised my concerns with the manager, I was told to lodge a formal complaint and to access counselling. I just don’t see how counselling will resolve the bullying I am now experiencing. I am also afraid to lodge a formal complaint because these colleagues will know it is me and will probably make my work life even worse. I feel stuck and miserable – what if I lodge a complaint, put myself through a process and the investigation comes back in favour of the colleagues I have issues with? This has happened before and I don’t want to have to leave another workplace due to something like this. What do I do?
Scoring goals, on and off the field
I am an educator and leader of Curriculum and Sport at St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead. I currently hold the position of TAS Co-ordinator and I have been teaching in Catholic schools for 15 years in the Maitland and Newcastle areas. During this time, I have always tried my best in everything that’s come my way.
You’re never too old to help raise a child
Friends of mine are foster carers, albeit not with CatholicCare, and I happened to be at their home recently for dinner. I have known this wonderful couple and the extended family for around ten years. They are community-minded people who do all they can to assist those in need.
Standing up for disorderly women!
A new publication by Dr Michele Connolly rsj was launched recently by Emeritus Professor Elaine Wainwright rsm in Sydney.
Could you become a better father?
“My son, you’re a Dad. Congratulations, Robert”.
My father spoke these words like a blessing over me on 17 April, 1987.
What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?
It’s become something of a cliché for groups protesting about injustice – perceived or real – to chant as they march:
What do we want?
Peace! [or justice, or truth… ]
When do we want it?
Now!
Reading is so good for you
“There are books that are suitable for a million people, others for only a hundred. There are even remedies — I mean books — that were written for one person only…A book is both medic and medicine at once. It makes a diagnosis as well as offering therapy. Putting the right novels to the appropriate ailments: that’s how I sell books.”
Deacon helps young people navigate life
Greg Kerr has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for “service to youth through a range of roles”. He will receive his medal in September.
The work of SRE teachers is supported by new report
If you listen to some reports in the media, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Australians were a completely secular bunch who have turned their backs on religion and Christian values. The opposite is true, according to new independent research released in May 2018.
What does it mean to be catholic?
Circumstances over several months, both delightful and challenging, have been pushing me to consider more deeply, what it means to be catholic, both personally and for us together. I could phrase the question along the lines of the Gospel: ‘Who do I say I am?’ and ‘Who do we say we are?’ I am not considering so much what I say with words, that’s easy. What I am considering is what I say with my life, day in and day out. What follows is something of what I have been pondering.
Audrey Steinmetz: “vocation more than career”
John Murray shares a grace-filled encounter between past and present.
