Introducing the 9th Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle IMAGE Aurora

Introducing the 9th Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

March 05, 2023 Lizzie Watkin

The ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will bring a wealth of experience to the position having served as the Bishop of Armidale since 2012.

Names for saint-hearted IMAGE Aurora

Names for saint-hearted

March 06, 2023 Sean Scanlon

Language plays a big role in how we perceive the world.

A home run for the Hunter IMAGE Aurora

A home run for the Hunter

March 07, 2023 Liz Baker

The Diocese has established a new entity, Hunter Community Housing (HCH), which reinforces its strong commitment to reducing homelessness by expanding its social, affordable and disability housing portfolio.

You and me, and the rising sea IMAGE Aurora

You and me, and the rising sea

March 07, 2023 Fr Greg Barker

Bulla Vanaka! I begin with the warm and friendly greeting of the people of Fiji.

Lead with a voice from the heart  IMAGE Aurora

Lead with a voice from the heart

March 07, 2023 Lizzie Watkin

As Australians prepare to partake in a referendum to establish a Voice to Parliament, discernment will be required.

With rhetoric surrounding both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ vote expected to escalate, Catholics may find solace in the words delivered by Pope John Paul II to First Nations people during his visit to Alice Springs in 1986.

“Your culture, which shows the lasting genius and dignity of your race, must not be allowed to disappear… Your songs, your stories, your paintings, your dances, your languages, must never be lost.

… And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.”

A sign from above IMAGE Aurora

A sign from above

March 07, 2023 Elizabeth Symington

As soon as you enter the grounds of Mums’ Cottage in Holmesville, located on the outskirts of Newcastle, you can tell it is a place of welcome.

With smiling volunteers, coffee and biscuits, a pay what you can op shop and a variety of support groups, it’s a space where anyone can find a helping hand.

Singing from the same hymn sheet  IMAGE Aurora

Singing from the same hymn sheet

March 07, 2023 Lizzie Watkin

The Mahoney family has spent years making children happy by performing pantomime on stage, but it is a lifelong commitment to community service that has earned them the greatest applause.

Status update: hopeful  IMAGE Aurora

Status update: hopeful

March 07, 2023 Lizzie Watkin

Human rights advocates and refugees nationwide breathed a collective sigh of relief last month when the federal government announced an end to Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV).

Heavenly lifelines   IMAGE Aurora

Heavenly lifelines

March 07, 2023 Lizzie Watkin, Elizabeth Symington

Newcastle locals, Benita Tait and Deacon Kevin Gadd have long possessed an interest in the divine.  At the time COVID-19 first emerged, they were one year into a four-year course to become spiritual directors. Fast forward to 2023 and some might say their graduation from the course last November, alongside nine others, is a ‘God send’.

Pathways building brighter futures  IMAGE Aurora

Pathways building brighter futures

March 07, 2023 Alexander Foster

The increased demand for childcare places over the past decade has led to a growing shortage of early education staff - a fact which encouraged Emma Losurdo to utilise a pathway straight from Year 12 to full-time employment in the sector.

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