It's a kind of magic
St Aloysius Primary School, Chisholm opened its doors Monday 2 February. As the Foundation Principal, it was a very proud moment for me and the culmination of an extremely busy year, with so much more to come.
Giving up lunch could mean food for life
Project Compassion 2015 was launched in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle on Shrove Tuesday at St Pius X High School, Adamstown. The event began with a welcoming earth, water and smoke blessing led by local Aboriginal elders and students.
Shakespeare tells us what it is to be human
Few contemporary Australians can look back on a longer or more successful theatre career than John Bell. Here he shares some initiatives of the company he founded, Bell Shakespeare, and acknowledges a great debt of gratitude to two teachers at Maitland Marist Brothers (now St Peter’s Campus, All Saints College).
From sadness came power to change a nation
It’s a plain red shirt made recognisable for the saddest of reasons, yet one which is now worn to honour the life of a 13 year-old boy whose disappearance captured the attention of our nation.
Crafty ladies meet in Women’s Shed
Men’s Sheds have become familiar facilities and their members have contributed significantly to the life of their communities and to their own wellbeing. Rose Smith of Karuah recounts the origin of her local Women’s Shed.
CARE TALK: Separation Anxiety
CARE TALK is a monthly advice column in Aurora Magazine where a registered psychologist offers answers to common questions around mental health and counselling.
The wisdom of a traveller
Aurora invited Diana Rah, Vice-President of the Newcastle Muslim Association, to share something of her story.
Recognising Impact of Teachers
The impact a good teacher can have on a student can be life-long. Even if it isn’t until later in life, when a teacher’s impact and value can truly be appreciated, many of us are able to reflect on our school days and recognise a teacher who has made a lasting impression on our life and choices.
Giving up Chocolate: thoughts on ‘living Lent’
When I was in primary school, I hated Lent.
Superstar Rising
Talk about Jesus, or write about him, and you reveal much about yourself. I think this is the case for Tim Rice in the seventies with Jesus Christ Superstar. It reveals a lot about Rice and the times.
The CATHOLIC THING: A new era in Jewish-Christian Relations
It is often said that the Second Vatican Council, the great Council of reform of the 1960s inaugurated by Pope John XXIII, was a watershed moment in the history of Jewish-Christian relations. Teresa Pirola asks, What did Vatican II say that was so groundbreaking?
Lent, an “affair of the heart”
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
Return to the Lord, your God.
Joel 2:12, 13
Sport’s a passport for integration
Many doubted the reasons behind bringing the 2015 Asian Cup to Newcastle. “It’s rugby league heartland,” they cried, “no one will support the games.”
An Extraordinary Ordinary Process
When it comes to Synod Assemblies, the “Ordinary” is probably more significant than the “Extraordinary”. The Extraordinary Synod Assembly on the Family happened last October. In October this year the Ordinary Synod Assembly will take place at the Vatican.
No half measures for centenarian Mavis
Recently I had the privilege of attending Mass in the intimate little church of St Laurence O’Toole at Broadmeadow, amidst a tight-knit, loving community of people who had gathered to honour the 100th birthday of one of their own. Mavis Sheedy had done everything in the church, from preparing the altar, serving at the altar, cleaning the church, serving on the Pastoral Council and the Finance Committee and everything in between.
BISHOP BILL WRIGHT: By Prayer and Fasting
Lent, as far as I can make out, went into serious decline with the coming of the industrial revolution. The old discipline of ‘one meal in the evening’ every day of Lent must have become decidedly dangerous once large parts of the population were spending long days working around unguarded machinery or deep down the mines.
