2022 TWEC Dinner
From 22-26 June our church celebrates the World Meeting of Families, which is a time to gather with loved ones. Please join us in gathering as a family of friends at the 2022 TWEC Dinner held on Friday 24 June. The theme for this dinner is ‘Honouring the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar’.
Diocesan leader shares fears now voluntary assisted dying becomes legal in NSW
Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Administrator, Fr Greg Barker, has shared his fears and sadness that the ‘sanctity of life is being diminished’. His statements come on the back of the NSW Parliament passing legislation overnight, which legalises voluntary assisted dying.
“It is a terrible day for our State,” Fr Barker said.
Volunteer Week movie night
Our Diocese deeply values the significant contribution volunteers make to our various committees, schools, parishes, and social services. Our volunteers enrich the quality of life for the people we support through their good deeds. Without them, some of our important programs and services would not be able to operate across the communities we serve.
What can I do to support Laudato Si’ Week?
Laudato Si’ Week is the 16-24 May 2022. It is a global celebration of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ and a call to action for all of us to care for the environment in which we live.
Family First
Imagine your parish has invited you to be a part of a focus group on ‘families’ under the Identity and Community Foundation. The leading question is ‘What constitutes a family?’
Voting with a conscience
As we face the polls later this month you might already be thinking of simply ticking the first box on the ballet paper and not about much else.
Perhaps you are disillusioned with the current state of politics in our country, disappointed with the direction we are heading in and, in the ‘leaders’ before us. As such, like me, you might be more actively channel surfing to avoid yet another election ad or campaign speech. I hear your pain.
The Church can’t tell you who you should vote for. However, every person of faith- regardless of their faith, has a responsibility to inform their own conscience.
Conference to be led with 'a great pastoral heart'
Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Administrator, Fr Greg Barker, has welcomed news that the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference elected Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB as president of the Conference and re-elected Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP vice-president.
Plenary Council - Walking in the Spirit
“For more than four years, we have sensed the power of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the work of the [Plenary] Council. As we move towards the development, consideration and approval of key proposals to renew the Church in Australia, the need for prayer has never been greater."