Holding fast to hope
By the time this column appears in Aurora, we will have commenced our annual celebration of the Season of Advent.
And the winners of the CDF Christmas Gift Card Competition are…...
To help us get into the festive spirit, the Catholic Development Fund recently held a Christmas gift card competition for all students enrolled at schools across the Diocese, as well as children enrolled at St Nicholas Early Education and participants in CatholicCare programs.
What are you waiting for this Advent?
In my office, Ashleigh Banks is waiting for the birth of her first child. She is due 29 December. Ashleigh says she is “waiting for a new life in our family - waiting to see what the baby’s personality is, what their hopes and dreams will be in their life and nurturing that.”
The commercialisation of Christmas
I’m not sure how you feel when Christmas is abbreviated to Xmas or when this special time is referred to as the Silly Season? The real meaning of Christmas appears to be commercialised and abbreviated.
The Really Good News for Christmas
Bible Society Australia has brought a fresh retelling of the Christmas story, especially designed for children aged between five and seven, called The Really Good News of Christmas - for Me!
Plastic Police in Merewether Beach
There will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050 unless the world begins recycling the material at a rapid rate, a report by the World Economic Forum found more than two years ago. It is this knowledge that keeps Samantha Cross motivated in her quest to see soft plastics recycled on a large scale.
A review of the Year of the Youth
As the Year of Youth comes to an end, Rebecca Piefke reflects on the privilege of being ACTiv8 Youth Co-ordinator and how the Year of Youth has impacted her ministry.
My Time Our Place: Introducing St Nicholas OOSH
For the last three years, St Nicholas Early Education has been providing child-led, play-based education to families throughout the Hunter. What began as two centres operating in Singleton and Newcastle’s CBD has grown to six centres with the opening of Raymond Terrace, with two more centres scheduled to open in 2019.
How do I manage my grief?
Q:This will be my first Christmas without my husband of 40 years. He passed away not quite a year ago and my grief is strong leading up to the festive season. How do I put on a brave face for my children and grandchildren as they would worry if they see me so sad?
Sharing the Journey
While Mental Health Month is held in October every year, mental health is an ongoing issue, as is raising public awareness around these concerns. It's important to break down taboos and better enable people to access support as early as possible.
The Diocese’s littlest graduates
Students from St Patrick’s Primary School, Cessnock and St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown recently graduated from the University of Newcastle’s Children’s University.
Back together again
Colleen Fenn left St Aloysius Girls High in Hamilton in 1965 and Newcastle in 1970 but refused to say a final goodbye to her classmates. Despite living outside of NSW for most of her adult life, Ms Fenn has, for a decade, been one of the key organisers of St Aloysius reunions at various locations around Newcastle.
St Pius X Adamstown celebrates alumni achievements
Every five years, St Pius X High School, Adamstown formally acknowledges the accomplishments of some of its most inspiring alumni by adding them to the school’s Wall of Fame.
Closer to the cliff edge
I have spent my late teens, young adulthood and adulthood working tirelessly to point teens to Jesus. Not Jesus as a historical, religious figure, but Jesus the risen Christ who still changes hearts and lives. He is the Christ who gives hope, provides belonging and true and fulfilling purpose. I have given my life to this cause not because of a sense of responsibility, but because I just have no other reasonable option. I cannot not talk about Jesus.
Everest Base Camp
It was an easy decision at the time. When my mate Baden asked me if I’d like to trek to Everest Base Camp, I jumped at the chance for adventure. I was no stranger to putting myself outside my comfort zone, and love both walking and camping to remind myself of the beauty of God’s creation.
Being Catholic in Australia today
As we head towards the end of the calendar year, there have been a number of events in the past 12 months that will make many of us pause and reflect on what it means to be a Catholic in Australia today.
People’s hero named Church’s newest saint
Pope Francis officially recognised one of the towering figures of the 20th century Catholic Church when he canonised martyred Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, at St Peter’s Square on 14 October this year.
Pope condemns dishonesty in politics
Pope Francis has used a recent homily to condemn governments and political leaders who use the media to smear and discredit their opponents.
The death penalty in the USA
In August Pope Francis announced that the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the death penalty had been updated, stating: “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” and that the Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide”.
All welcome to Simbang Gabi
The Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition brought by the Spanish Friars in the Philippines in 1669. It is a series of novena Masses in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Expectant Mother of God, and serve as a preparation for the commemoration of the Birth of Our Lord and Saviour.
Jesus the Forgotten Feminist: a book review
“The story told between the covers of this book is a tragic one for all true believers.
REVIEW: Disorderly Women
My favourite section of Michele Connolly’s Disorderly Women and the Order of God: An Australian Feminist Reading of the Gospel of Mark is her use of an incident in Australian history to issue a warning to women reading Mark.
