AURORA EXTRA: Friendship in L'Arche
L’Arche (The Ark) supports people living with an intellectual disability. Enjoy this story written by Hunter L’Arche members, Michael Kenyon and Lorraine Austin. You're invited to come along to the next L’Arche gathering on 4 June at St Mathew's Anglican Church Hall, 7 Wentworth Street, Georgetown. All are welcome!
Spend time with us at Refugee Service
I recently lunched with a group of ladies I had never met, yet it was like breaking bread with long lost friends. They are warm-hearted, passionate, open-minded and driven. I asked many questions, perhaps too many; nevertheless, with each response they grew in enthusiasm and conviction. They are passionate about what they are doing − and helping others has helped them too.
Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?
“I’ve been up to London to look at the Queen…” So the old nursery rhyme has it. Before you read this, on April 21 in fact, Queen Elizabeth will turn 90 in real life.
Diocese welcomes St Nicholas Early Education
Late last year the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle officially established St Nicholas Early Education – a new agency focused on providing quality care and education for children aged eight weeks to five years.
Walking for Mercy
On 6 June, parish priest at Nelson Bay, Fr Kevin Corrigan, will commence a walk from St Mary MacKillop Chapel, North Sydney, to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Its aim is to provide financial and prayer support for a newly commencing project. Fr Kevin explains.
Catholic schools: Vivid everyday
Great schools create bright futures and for more than 180 years, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has played an influential role in educating thousands of students in Catholic schools.
Announcing St Bede's Catholic College!
This week, Bishop Bill announced the name of our new secondary school to be built at Chisholm − St Bede’s Catholic College. The official announcement on site this week marked this exciting development in our history. St Bede’s is planned to open in 2018 and building works will commence early in 2017.
CARETALK: Strategies to manage ADHD
Q My eight-year-old son has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and has been prescribed medication to help manage the condition. Although we are relieved that the medication has created a calmer home, I don’t want to rely on medication. Can you recommend any strategies to help us manage the ups and downs that come with ADHD?
The making of mothers: call the midwife!
Not only Mother’s Day, but the International Day of Midwives, is celebrated in May. Local midwife and more, Josephine Stanwell, shares her story.
Creator of model training centre recognised
Englishman Clifford Beazley AM, went away to sea at the age of 17, joining the merchant navy and making his way through the ranks, eventually becoming captain. The young seafaring Cliff could not have imagined being awarded an AM by His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd), Governor of NSW, in recognition of establishing a unique ship handling training centre.
Beauty personified in the eyes of their children
My friend’s mother died late last year and at her funeral, her two sons and one of her grandchildren delivered a wonderful eulogy. The stories they told reflected the depth of their love for a very special lady, but there was one moment that touched me deeply. Her son was recalling a memory of her from almost 60 years before, when he was only a young child. As he described his mum’s dark hair and the way she walked into the room, his voice caught and he had to stop, such was the power of that memory and his love for her.
Keeping the faith and healing those who hurt
Maria Harries
Recently I remarked on the “extra special care” we need to show for each other as we react to the landscape of sexual abuse that has been heightened since the commencement of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (RC). Aurora has invited me to consider how this might be done, attitudinally and practically. Finding answers is much tougher than acknowledging a need! All of us, but particularly those in Church communities, so close to the intensity of clerical abuse and individual and public pain, are reeling. Initially, it seemed impossible to believe − now it seems impossible to know what to do.
What are we doing on earth for Christ's sake?
Jesuit Richard Leonard introduces his latest book, “What are we doing on earth for Christ’s sake?”
Flying is both a joy and a risk for a priest. I have been blessed − or cursed − to fly often. Generally I enjoy it, but I choose to fly under the radar (pardon the pun). I rarely wear clerical dress on a plane, mainly because clerical collars are uncomfortable. Secondly, these days, it repels as many as it attracts.
The artists get there first
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
(William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, spoken by Portia, IV, i, 184-187).
These words suggest that true mercy flows and is given freely. It is characterised by gentleness and availability. Contemplating art is one way of observing mercy and being receptive to the quality of mercy in one’s own life and community.
Rising from the ashes - life after death in Cambodia
Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission, Mark Toohey, visited Cambodia recently. Mark witnessed projects which will soon be the focus of Catholic Mission’s fundraising across Australian parishes. Catholic Mission has supported the Church for over 175 years and operates in 160 countries. Here is Mark’s account of his visit.
Is it time for a difficult but necessary conversation?
Dust you are and to dust you shall return. Genesis (3:19)
“Do you want to be buried or cremated?” is not usually a question you ask around the dinner table, and for many years, cremation wasn’t even an option available to Catholics.
Enjoy a cuppa for a friend
Had life’s pathway been slightly more circuitous and led a teenage girl into matrimony with her favourite matinee idol of the time, then today, she might be known as Mrs Ada Gable or perhaps, Mrs Ada Bogart. As it turned out, Ada at age 21 met and married Max, the love of her life, and she became Mrs Ada Staader. Not an unmemorable name you would have to agree. Till Max’s recent passing, the couple enjoyed a happy marriage, celebrating their Diamond Jubilee.
English: Offering something more than Kardashian culture
In New South Wales, English is still the only compulsory subject in the HSC. Why has it this status? What do students actually study, and perhaps more importantly, learn? Teacher Jane Mack responds.
