REVIEW: Dealing With Autism
In Dealing With Autism: How I successfully raised my child with autism and how you can too, Randa Habelrih shares her family’s personal journey. In 1996 Randa gave up her successful career in the cosmetics industry to travel the unknown waters of researching and implementing ongoing therapy for her newborn son Richard.
Musings on Life’s Stages
There's something very apt about the fact that drama teacher Andrew Coates and his wife, theatre director Ann Croger, have quite a romantic story to tell of their first meeting.
Teacher Tells Story of Local Legend
When asked to write a biography of Rolf Everist (Tom) Farrell, teacher Christopher Mooney said, “I can honestly say I hadn’t heard of him.” Once he began to research, however, his ignorance turned to admiration for a man who helped to transform the face of Newcastle and beyond.
Think Globally, Act Locally, Change Personally
Tony Harris shares experiences that echo the injunctions of Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si’.
Happy 10th Birthday St Patrick’s
If the smiles of the children are any indication, then St Patrick’s Early Education Centre at Singleton has much to celebrate as it marks its tenth anniversary.
Learning From the Goodes and the Not So Good
The nation was divided recently as to whether or not the booing directed at Adnyamathanha man and 2014 Australian of the Year, AFL star, Adam Goodes, from a group of fired-up spectators in the crowd, was racially motivated or not.
Innovation Education at St Mary’s Gateshead
National Science Week 2015 was celebrated at St Mary’s High School, Gateshead, with a showcase and demonstration of student projects from Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) classes on 14 August.
Art’s for Life’s Sake
San Clemente is a school that prides itself on its passion for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), with artwork lining every hallway, performances at every assembly and involvement in a wide variety of community and diocesan events.
The Sultan Meets a Saint
Shirley McHugh reports on an interfaith event taking place next month at Toronto.
The Art of Teamwork
The ASPIRE production is over for another year and as I reflect, and plan for 2016, I look at the successes of this year. All too often the real success stories in the performing arts are not the final product on the stage, but what emerges from the rehearsal process.
Making a Difference to the Lives of Trafficked People
Aurora invited Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) to share something of its work in an area which is the source of so much suffering.
Soul Searching? Search Here!
I sensed a calm, peaceful feeling upon entering the grounds of the Mercy Spirituality Centre at Toronto. The vast views of Lake Macquarie from this retreat venue are complemented by the beautiful, spacious gardens. It is a truly great setting for reflecting – a place for renewal of mind, body and spirit.
CatholicCare Offers Strong Support for Foster Carers
CatholicCare Social Services is delighted to be participating in Foster Care Week, an annual event held in NSW to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding work of foster carers.
The Catholic Church and Ethics of Migration
In the Gospel, Jesus compels us to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35). Welcome involves both an attitude and an action. Our attitude constantly needs to be assessed in light of the Gospel to ensure that we are carrying out the Lord's commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves. Once we have the right attitude, our actions should reflect and consolidate this.
Celebrating a Unique Community
Wollombi is a beautiful place. Its very name depicts it.
It is situated in a narrow valley where the Wollombi Brook and the Congewai Creek come together. Nearby, the Narone and Yango Creeks enter the flow.
CARE TALK: The Kindest Cut of All
CARE TALK is a monthly advice column in Aurora Magazine where a registered psychologist offers answers to common questions around mental health and counselling.
Stepping up as a Father
As Father’s Day approaches, Marty Leist of the Australian Men’s Shed Association shares his somewhat complicated experience of family life.
True Colours Shining Through
Newcastle psychologist Roger Peters reflects on a creative activity enjoying something of a revival.
All Aboard for Krakow in 2016
Pilgrim leaders Brian and Sue Lacey extend an invitation to the young and the not so young.
150 editions, thousands of stories
As I enter the last month of my contract as Communications Manager for the diocese, I am filled with admiration for the tireless work that goes into bringing Aurora to fruition each month, and a feeling of privilege to be here for the 150th edition. I thought I’d find out from our Aurora Editor of 14 years, Tracey Edstein, how Aurora has become the magazine it is today.
Seeds to Supper at St Columban’s
In late 2014, St Columban’s Primary, Mayfield, was awarded a grant of $6500 from the Port of Newcastle to initiate the ‘Seeds to Supper’ project. This project recognised a need to educate students about sustainability and healthy eating, including gardening and cooking with local produce.
Acknowledging the Human Factor
I am writing this in a hurry. It could and should have been done some time over the last few days, but I have been afflicted with a bit of a medical problem which, while quite minor, has been a source of persistent physical discomfort. This has militated against two elements of the writing process: sitting still (emphasis on sitting) and composing the mind. It has been all too easy to conclude that it would be wise to put off the writing until I was feeling better. Which is what I have done.
