DR MICHAEL SLATTERY: Diosounds 2017
Last Thursday at the Civic Theatre we celebrated Diosounds 2017 which highlighted the talent of students and teachers from our 11 secondary schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese.
Looking back a bit
It was a dark and stormy night... And then it seemed to rain for weeks afterwards. June 15 2011, the night I was ordained and installed as bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, just on six years ago.
Child labour and slavery – it’s real and it’s big
World Day Against Child Labour is observed on 12 June. Child labour is often defined as work that denies children their childhood, their dignity and their potential, and that is damaging to mental and physical development. Child labour comes in many forms and includes work that is physically, mentally, socially or morally dangerous and/or harmful to children.
Enjoy the joy of play
Was there a time recently when you stopped to watch a group of children at play, heard their laughter and shouts of sheer joy as they ran around a park or playground, then giggling, grouping in twos and threes, began to tell one another pretend stories, untrue tales of grand adventures they’d imagined?
What’s so special about Special Religious Education?
The children file into the room under the guidance of their watchful teacher. They settle on the carpet and greet the visitor who stands before them. The class comprises some 20 Kinder and Year 1 students and they come together every week at this time. The visitor is a regular weekly guest who is becoming familiar to the group.
What’s core Catholicism and what’s cultural Catholicism?
Recently I gazed, with combined feelings of pity and annoyance, at a contemporary photo of a large group of priests.
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: Come Holy Spirit!
I marvel at the image of the disciples of Jesus locked in a room because they are fearful, ashamed, confused, despairing and wondering what to do next.
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: Respect, Relationships and Reconciliation
During the past week we have had the privilege of many events around the diocese featuring wonderful speakers and performers – Cardinal John Dew, Steve Angrisano, Bishop Mark Edwards, Professor Chris Sarra and other educational leaders and speakers at the Association of Catholic School Principals Conference which was held at the Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley.