AURORA EXTRA: My Home in L’Arche
I had the great privilege of living at Burwood House, Sydney for 2 years back in 1994/5 as an Assistant.
AURORA EXTRA: Concern for migrant workers
On Tuesday, 15 November, I was invited to a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on Migrants, Canada’s François Crépeau, and was able to speak about the plight of Migrant Workers here in Australia.
Welcome to Catherine McAuley Catholic College!
Bishop Bill has announced the name of the diocese’s newest secondary school, Catherine McAuley Catholic College. Located in Medowie, the new secondary school will open in 2020, with building works set to commence in 2018.
Beyond Belief: How we find meaning, with or without religion
Globally, religion is on the rise. Almost three-quarters of the world’s population identify with one of the great world religions − Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism − and the graph is pointing upwards. By the middle of this century, 80 percent of the world’s population will be identified with one of those four religions.
Sr Christine O'Connor: Heading home from Kununurra
In December, one of our Lochinvar Josephites, Sr Christine O’Connor, will return to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle after spending the last seven years in the Kimberley town of Kununurra. I was privileged recently to visit Christine and experience a glimpse of what her ministry involves.
Why resettlement is not the solution to the world's refugee crisis
Every minute of every day in 2015, some 24 people were displaced from their homes. That’s 34,000 people per day, worldwide, who were forced to seek refuge elsewhere. These large numbers of newly displaced persons further swelled the 16.1 million refugees in the world who, according to the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR), were already displaced.
THE WAY WE WERE: Dancing in the rain on St Patrick's Day
This photo of the St Patrick’s Day march was taken in 1959 in High Street, Maitland.
New units in Maitland ready for tenants
Recently the diocese completed the latest in its affordable housing developments, with nine brand new two-bedroom units ready for tenants within the Maitland city centre.
No cell is so isolated that it can keep the Lord out
Mercy in prisons, you must be joking! Lock them up and throw the key away, that’s all they deserve.
Truth-seeking for 800 years and counting
This year the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) is 800 years old. Fr Kevin Toomey op shares something of its spirit and mission.
Ministry with survivors of human trafficking
Tracey Edstein met Sr Margaret Ng at a recent conference. She invited her to share something of her work with survivors of human trafficking.
Sharing our faith stories with our children
In a recent Children’s Ministries newsletter published by the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Office of Life and Faith, I invited readers to think about how they share their personal faith stories with the children in their lives. Why?
Humility and talent lead to success on the field for Noah
Year 10 student at St Mary’s High School, Gateshead, Noah James, is sure to become a household name, sooner rather than later. When he’s not in class you can find him on the field saving goals for Australia.
New appointment for fearless advocate
Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), Dr Maria Harries AM, has announced the appointment of Fr Frank Brennan sj AO as Chief Executive Officer of the peak national body for social services in Australia. CSSA represents a national network of 53 Catholic social service providers.
"Today I am a happy priest"
The diocese’s newest priest shares something of his story.
CARETALK: Anticipating retirement
Q I have been looking forward to retirement at the end of this year for so long. I have worked as a school teacher for many years and suddenly I feel lost and fearful. I don’t know who I will be or what I will do if I am not teaching. Can you suggest how to deal with my fears and forge into the unknown with positivity rather than fear?
Domestic violence: Remember the frog in the pot
Domestic and family violence is one of the most significant and visible contributors to trauma-related mental illness within our community, and can single-handedly create significant behavioural, cognitive and developmental impairment in children.
The Year of Mercy ends but Mercy endures!
“It’s no use going back to yesterday,” wrote Lewis Carroll 150 years ago in Alice in Wonderland, “because I was a different person then.”
Taree Community Kitchen provides service with a smile
Volunteers, donors, staff, Members of Parliament and the wider community all watched with smiles on their face as Rev Brian Mascord VG blessed the Taree Community Kitchen. Their elation was fitting since serving wholesome meals to the public, with a smile, is what the kitchen is all about.
All Hallows E'en
Do you get involved in Halloween? If you have children, quite possibly you do. Quite possibly you kitted them out as ghosts or goblins and let them go 'trick-or-treating'. Perhaps other people's kids knocked on your door and perhaps you have learned to have 'candy' around the place, just in case.
