Next Steps: A Diocesan Memorial for those affected by child abuse
On the evening of 27 March 2019, a memorial was dedicated to the survivors, victims and families of historical institutional child sexual abuse perpetrated at Marist Brothers High School Hamilton. The memorial’s context is unique - the particular institution to which it relates is no longer in existence, albeit that some of the physical structures remain. The Marist Brothers are a religious order whose presence in the region has almost passed but whose historic presence is an intrinsic part of Diocesan history, for good and ill.
Would Jesus watch reality television?
Recently I was at a meeting that involved a priest who is a leading commentator on film and television or, if you like, ‘popular culture’. In a coffee break, following a chance remark by some bishop or church bureaucrat, our popular culture man began holding forth on the need for us all to be watching reality television in order to be in touch with the prevailing values in our society.
Perfect families do not exist
“Perfect families do not exist. This must not discourage us. Quite the opposite. Love is something we learn; love is something we live; love grows as it is 'forged' by the concrete situations which each particular family experience.”
Mums’ Cottage is the place to be
“Come on in, the water’s fine!” That was the first thing I heard as I opened the door to Mums’ Cottage in Holmesville.
Finding work central to lasting peace for Congolese migrants
Bushoshi Musabwa Camille fled war and poverty to reach Australia but his battle to secure his family’s future is ongoing.
How to help my son gain more confidence
Q My family has not long moved to the area and my eleven year old son is about to start at a new school. He is not very confident and I worry that this new start will not be easy for him. He has one or two friends that he knows at the new school but I would like to see him develop a broader circle and gain more confidence. What can you suggest?
Children entering out of home care continues to decline
For the second consecutive year, New South Wales has had the lowest rate of children and young people admitted to "out of home care” in the country.
From the courtroom to the pulpit
Graham Fullick shocked many people when he left the courtroom to become a man of the cloth – not least his father Greg Fullick.
