A season of repentance
Of course, I should have been thinking about repentance and forgiveness, sin and grace, because we are in Lent. But I actually came to be thinking about these things because I had a talk to give about Martin Luther, to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation this year. Luther’s reformation was very much caught up with the notion of repentance.
Where are all the young people?
Speaking on ABC radio earlier this year, young local Catholic, Hannah Williams, challenged the stereotype that young people no longer engage with their faith.
All Joel’s world’s a stage
Founder of Bell Shakespeare, John Bell, long ago recognised the breadth and depth of life captured in exquisite language by William Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare is renowned for transporting the Bard’s dramas, unconstrained by time, place, gender, nationality or culture. John Bell and company take Shakespeare to the schools and sometimes his magnanimity is rewarded big time!
A digger laid to rest
As ANZAC Day approaches, Catherine Murray shares her family’s strong sense of the legacy of war.
Margo Nancarrow named inaugural Magdalene Award recipient
Representing the values of courage, leadership, fidelity and strength, the inaugural “Magdalene” was awarded on 12 March.
Coming to terms with the changes ageing can bring
Q My father has begun to display early stage dementia and his doctor has confirmed this. My children are aged 5 and 7, and as Dad’s dementia progresses, I want them to develop age-appropriate understanding. At the same time, I don’t want them to think that dementia and the forgetfulness that goes with it is automatically part of growing older. Please give me some tips to encourage them to be patient and thoughtful.
Gatekeepers of a brighter future
Visiting Maitland-Newcastle as a Caritas Project Compassion speaker gave Richard Campbell the opportunity to reconnect with his sister Louise Campbell.
University society encourages students to ask questions and look for answers together
In September 2016, a contingent of Catholic students established the University of Newcastle (UoN) Catholic Society. The group initially came together at the university’s weekly Wednesday Mass and has since continued to grow in number.
Newcastle student represents Qatar and Lithuania at UN!
A former student of St Francis Xavier’s College shares her opportunity to broaden her outlook on the world.
Enter Cursillo: An invitation to experience greater joy
Joy: an emotion of keen or lively pleasure arising from present or expected good.
This definition explains why as a Christian I should always be full of joy. At times of quietness and prayer, with the realisation and acceptance that God loves me intimately, I am filled with a deep certainty that all will be well.
Are you one of the spacious and gracious people?
It’s amazing how different you are when you let yourself be in love.
Seasons of a friendship
There are stones in Ailsa Piper’s home named ‘Love’ and ‘Hope’. And when I visit, to enjoy a conversation with dear friends Ailsa and Tony Doherty, I encounter two individuals who might well be named ‘Love’ and ‘Hope’ – but which is which?
An ancient faith brimming with stories
The story of Judaism begins with its founder, Abram.
Even in pain, each day is a new beginning
St Augustine has been quoted as saying, “the greatest evil is physical pain”. Over the past six and a half years I have come to know this evil.
CatholicCare partners with parishes and schools
Acting Director, CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning, Gary Christensen, outlines his approach to his new role. Gary is a Novocastrian who was educated in local Catholic schools and has considerable experience in the areas of child protection, out of home care, mental health and disability services.
Why not project an Easter message?
Reprising her Advent offering, cinephile Anne Millard suggests a clutch of Easter-flavoured films.
Aloma’s story: our common home, our future
Caritas Australia is supporting and empowering Filipino communities like Aloma’s in the aftermath of extreme weather events and the effects of climate change.
Providing children with a Safe Home for Life
According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), nearly 17,000 children and young people in NSW are in Out of Home Care. Around half are in relative or kinship care and half in foster care.
