AURORA EXTRA: A poem for L'Arche IMAGE Aurora

AURORA EXTRA: A poem for L'Arche

February 16, 2017 Stephen Rigby

Stephen is a Board member of the L’Arche Hunter Community, but he lived for some time in the Brisbane Community. He and Jason developed a relationship which touched each other’s lives and this poem is an expression of this deep relationship.

Reality TV: Watching people behaving badly IMAGE Aurora

Reality TV: Watching people behaving badly

February 01, 2017 Comments Bishop Bill Wright

The New Year break gives someone like me a bit more time to catch up on popular culture. And it’s somewhat disturbing. Of course, the culture I’m seeing may not be all that popular. I’m talking about watching TV...

Meet new Director of Catholic Schools, Dr Michael J Slattery IMAGE Aurora

Meet new Director of Catholic Schools, Dr Michael J Slattery

February 01, 2017 Comments Alyssa Faith

As the 2017 school year commences, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools Office welcomes a new Director of Schools.

Love your neighbour through Project Compassion 2017 IMAGE Aurora

Love your neighbour through Project Compassion 2017

February 01, 2017 Comments Patricia Banister

Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal is an extraordinary, ongoing demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of the Catholic congregation and caring supporters throughout Australia to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Diocese launches new Protection and Safety Council IMAGE Aurora

Diocese launches new Protection and Safety Council

February 01, 2017 Comments Bishop Bill Wright

As a diocese we have an absolute and enduring commitment to promoting and ensuring the safety of all who are connected with us – be it through our parishes, Catholic schools, early education or community outreach services. To ensure we deliver on this commitment and continually improve our practices, I am pleased to announce the formation of a new body − the Diocesan Protection and Safety Council (the Council).

What can I say about my mother? IMAGE Aurora

What can I say about my mother?

February 01, 2017 Comments Luke Evans

In 2010, Kathleen Evans participated in the canonisation ceremony of Australian Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Rome. The disappearance of Kathleen’s cancer was accepted as the miracle that took Mary, co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph, ‘over the line’, so to speak. Kathleen died just before Christmas and her son Luke shares his remembrances.

Marriage: Should I stay or should I go? IMAGE Aurora

Marriage: Should I stay or should I go?

February 01, 2017 Comments Tanya Russell

Q Over the past few months, I have been seriously considering leaving my husband. We have been married for 14 years and we have three children but somewhere along the way, we have grown apart. I am torn between doing what’s “right” by the children and what is “right” for me. I don’t know how I feel anymore and don’t want to open up too much to my friends, especially if I decide to stay. How do I start unpacking this more in my head before making my decision?

Women + Education = Hope IMAGE Aurora

Women + Education = Hope

February 01, 2017 Comments Anne Benjamin

It’s a line as straight as an arrow: educate young women and you can expect a brighter future for their families. Nowhere have I seen this more clearly than in India.

Nurturing a relationship with God through hands-on experience IMAGE Aurora

Nurturing a relationship with God through hands-on experience

February 01, 2017 Comments Siubhan Sadler

Siubhan Sadler introduces an innovative way to help children understand the Christian story.

A festival invitation to all young people IMAGE Aurora

A festival invitation to all young people

February 01, 2017 Comments Baden Ellis

Following the success of the Australian Catholic Youth Festivals held in Melbourne and Adelaide in recent years, Bishop Bill Wright is optimistic that the 2017 Festival, to be held in Sydney in December, will be a destination of choice for many young members of the diocesan community.

Who’s your buddy? IMAGE Aurora

Who’s your buddy?

February 01, 2017 Comments Joanne Isaac

This year I am in the privileged position of having a child in Year 6 and a child starting kindergarten (with another one in between). The reason I feel lucky about this is not just because I will finally get the much coveted school photo featuring all of my kids at once, but because I’ve been able to witness the buddy system at St Benedict’s Primary School, Edgeworth, from two perspectives.

I’m blessed to call Australia home IMAGE Aurora

I’m blessed to call Australia home

February 01, 2017 Comments Shirley McHugh

Chair of the diocesan Social Justice Council, Shirley McHugh, reflects on our nation in the wake of Australia Day.

Peace and blessings of God be upon you IMAGE Aurora

Peace and blessings of God be upon you

February 01, 2017 Comments Farooq Rah

In the first column of a new series, Muslim Farooq Rah offers an introduction to a faith that is followed by some 1.7 billion believers.

SEASONS OF MERCY Journeying with Parkinson’s disease IMAGE Aurora

SEASONS OF MERCY Journeying with Parkinson’s disease

February 01, 2017 Comments Warren and Christine Sheppard

Warren and Christine Sheppard share their experiences since Warren’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.

Local resource is for the common good IMAGE Aurora

Local resource is for the common good

February 01, 2017 Comments John Hayes

John Hayes shares a resource that may be useful to you or your organisation.

Meet a matriarch – and remember your prayers IMAGE Aurora

Meet a matriarch – and remember your prayers

February 01, 2017 Comments Tracey Edstein

Constance by name, constance by nature…it’s possibly not an original thought in terms of Waratah’s Constance (Connie) Jennings, but it is true.

Experience leads to improved services for people with disabilities IMAGE Aurora

Experience leads to improved services for people with disabilities

February 01, 2017 Comments Peta Cass

As a parent, grandparent and wife, I have supported my family through some challenging times.  Having a child with special needs, I have, in years gone by, struggled to find individualised, local supports and often felt quite isolated and frustrated by the lack of control I was experiencing.   

Global leadership for a global challenge IMAGE Aurora

Global leadership for a global challenge

February 01, 2017 Comments Oliver White

This is the last in our series examining the plight of refugees and asylum seekers who make their way to Australia.

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