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.
