Lent, an “affair of the heart”
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
Return to the Lord, your God.
Joel 2:12, 13
BISHOP BILL WRIGHT: By Prayer and Fasting
Lent, as far as I can make out, went into serious decline with the coming of the industrial revolution. The old discipline of ‘one meal in the evening’ every day of Lent must have become decidedly dangerous once large parts of the population were spending long days working around unguarded machinery or deep down the mines.
Sport’s a passport for integration
Many doubted the reasons behind bringing the 2015 Asian Cup to Newcastle. “It’s rugby league heartland,” they cried, “no one will support the games.”
An Extraordinary Ordinary Process
When it comes to Synod Assemblies, the “Ordinary” is probably more significant than the “Extraordinary”. The Extraordinary Synod Assembly on the Family happened last October. In October this year the Ordinary Synod Assembly will take place at the Vatican.
No half measures for centenarian Mavis
Recently I had the privilege of attending Mass in the intimate little church of St Laurence O’Toole at Broadmeadow, amidst a tight-knit, loving community of people who had gathered to honour the 100th birthday of one of their own. Mavis Sheedy had done everything in the church, from preparing the altar, serving at the altar, cleaning the church, serving on the Pastoral Council and the Finance Committee and everything in between.
Taking a risk with play: building resilience in children
As a new school year begins, Associate Professor Paul Tranter counters some prevailing wisdom around risk aversion. Parents and school principals take note!
BISHOP BILL WRIGHT: Le temps perdu or 'the lost time'
Something about New Year encourages nostalgia, or perhaps it was just driving past St Michael’s recently on my way to a funeral. Either way, I’ve been reminiscing about my first appointment as a priest, 37 years ago, and the way a priest’s life has changed in that time.
The Church and The Herald
Relatively early in my time here, I met with the editor of the Newcastle Herald and journalist Joanne McCarthy. They were at pains to let me know that, despite what I might have heard, they are not anti-church but pro- the victims of child sexual abuse.
