Salmon, Asparagus and Spec Summer Salad
This is a constant visitor to our dinner table and is always welcomed. It’s something both the adults and kids love, and is healthy and easy.
Meet a Kurri Kurri historian
Kurri Kurri historian Brian Andrews has written over 170 historical texts but his latest book has unearthed some distinctly Catholic scandal.
Short term pain making a difference for others
Craig Stevenson, Head of Technology Services for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, has just bought a bike and is riding 1,000 kilometres for a very worthy cause.
The lens through which we view the world
Nowadays if you were to define the word "deacon" you would immediately think of the church, ordination, and in the Catholic Church, a man. Go back 2,000 years ago and the word had a much broader meaning.
Book Giveaway
Aurora is giving away a beautiful prayer journal called Vox Dei, which means ‘God’s Voice’ in Latin.
Don’t delay - Plenary submissions close soon
Time is running out for submissions to be made for the Plenary Council.
New Vinnies opens in Scone
After a five year search St Vincent de Paul has found the ideal location for its new shop in Scone - and now begins the hunt for volunteers to help run it.
Illegal dumping at Vinnies
Prosthetic limbs, ashes, false teeth, alive and dead animals, rotting meat and a shark’s carcass are just some of the strange and unpalatable items Hunter Valley St Vincent de Paul volunteers have had to contend with recently in their charity bins.
Tune in to Catholic radio in Newcastle for inspiration
Did you know, 99.7 Rhema FM plays a Catholic radio program on 6.30pm Sunday nights? Created by the Diocese of Wollongong, the program is called The Journey and it is aired on a growing number of Christian Radio Stations around Australia.
Reflecting on the value of education
At the outset of the school year, it is an appropriate time for us all to reflect on the golden opportunity a good education is. In having the privilege of witnessing some areas of the globe that have impoverished communities or emerging economies, or as we nightly view areas of our world that suffer dysfunction and crisis, the intense focus on the quality of accessing education is so clear.
Developing the student voice at St Bede’s Chisholm
The student Community Liaison Officers from St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm have all been given a crash course in communications.
To be or not to be …
Oliver Crawford, Aspire star and a student of St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton has been awarded one of three 2018 John Bell scholarships.
Outstanding achievements from our students
Last year proved to be an outstanding year for student achievements in the HSC and there were some major milestones too.
Sean Scanlon CEO
Sean Scanlon, who was recently appointed the first-ever Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, is very much a born-and-bred Novocastrian. He is also the first person in any Catholic diocese in Australia to have the title of CEO. Prior to being appointed to this new role, Sean was Vice Chancellor Administration.
The grief of miscarriage
Q My husband and I have been trying to have our second child for a few years now and I have just had my third miscarriage. Although my husband has been supportive, we are both struggling to cope with our grief over losing these babies. I feel so alone, as counselling has never been suggested by my GP and medical professionals have referred to our lost dreams for a family as “early pregnancy loss”. But for us, they were our future babies and with each miscarriage, I struggle more and more. How do I get support and open up to someone who understands the loss of more than just a “pregnancy”?
John Sandy- Australian Citizen
John Sandy is a man whose determination is as strong as his beaming smile and caring heart.
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Two new priests for our Diocese
You are invited to the Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev Anthony Coloma and Rev John Lovell on 16 February 2019 at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 10am.
In the lead up to ordination, Deacons Anthony and John shared with Aurora a bit of their journey to priesthood.
Following Catherine McAuley and the Tradition of Mercy
For the 39 people from our Diocese, a recent pilgrimage to Ireland - to discover more about Catherine McAuley and the Tradition of Mercy - was the trip of a lifetime.
DARA’s Van delivers dignity
From remembering names and having conversations to offering practical solutions to hunger, the DARA’s Van team members provide much-needed outreach in and around Newcastle. Team members, the bulk of whom are volunteers, provide not only food but also hospitality and friendship to the vulnerable and the marginalised in our community – the homeless, the socially isolated and/or the financially stressed.
Clear out the unimportant
Partly to avoid the worst of the heat of the Australian summer, I spent some of ‘down time’ in January sorting through filing cabinets rapidly approaching the point of overflowing, and boxes that seem to have not moved since I arrived in my present home. It was a very cathartic and therapeutic experience.
