LIFE, love and learning have moved Dr David Kirchhoffer from one side of the world to the other. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, David is now settled in Brisbane with his wife, raising their two young sons. He’s followed the path of academia out of Africa to Belgium and then to Australia. On the way, he’s completed a ... Read More »
Author Archives: Peter Bugden
New Caritas Brisbane director Lynda Mussell has hands-on approach to making a difference
JUST as rock star and humanitarian Bob Geldof, of Live Aid fame, was moved by the hunger of children in Ethiopia, so was Lynda Mussell. Lynda, a newcomer to the Catholic community in Brisbane and new to Australia, is still moved in the face of poverty and injustice, and she’s determined to do something about it. She’s the recently appointed ... Read More »
Sr Ursula O’Rourke on preparing future priests for their primary ministry – celebrating the Mass
SISTER Ursula O’Rourke has a job that takes her to the depths of the mystery of Christ. She’s one of two women on the formation team at Queensland’s Holy Spirit Seminary at Banyo, and she specialises in liturgy. That means she has a hand in preparing future priests for a key role in their ministry – the celebration of the ... Read More »
Former Anglican who became a Catholic now ‘speaking up’ with the Uniting Church
SUE Hutchinson has an intense passion for social justice and she traces it back to her days of “bouncing around” in the back of a station wagon with her mother at the wheel. Once a week her mother Anne Muller would be a volunteer driver for people with Down syndrome. “I remember … she used to take our funny, old ... Read More »
Fr Vince Hobbs’ mysterious call to the priesthood
“MYSTERY” is the one word to describe the two big things to happen in the life of Fr Vince Hobbs – priesthood and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. That’s the word Fr Vince would use anyway. When asked why he became a priest, the 83-year-old said: “That’s a mystery that you can’t give a total answer to, because it’s a matter ... Read More »
Irish priest has received more love in Brisbane than anywhere in the world
“ONE day we buried twelve children …” – victims of war and famine, and as Fr Pat Doran thinks of them almost 60 years later the memories come flooding back, and so do the tears. Those children and thousands like them are close to the heart of the Holy Spirit Father nearing retirement from his Brisbane parish. In the little ... Read More »
Tennis coach Brian Hudson’s game is on song
LIFE-long professional tennis coach Brian Hudson, now 84, casts his eye over the list of players at the Australian Open 2018 and there’s one who stands out as someone he’d love to take under his wing. Brian has coached thousands of players of all standards over decades, helping several to the top of the tree, so he knows what it ... Read More »
Brisbane’s newest deacon ‘fired up’ for his 58th Christmas
ANDREW O’Brien’s had 57 Christmases in his lifetime, but his 58th will be different – the Holy Spirit is making sure of that. Married and the father of three sons, he was ordained a permanent deacon for Brisbane archdiocese only last month so he and everyone around him are still getting used to that. He’s still the same Andrew but ... Read More »
Good Samaritan Sister Mary McDonald ‘privileged’ to accompany people in their last months or weeks of life
SR Mary McDonald loves teaching; she also loves being a Good Samaritan Sister, the wonder of Creation, gardening, being with people … and croquet. She simply loves life. She’s come late to croquet, though, as a result of having to give golf away. “I used to play golf … I wasn’t a bad golfer actually,” she laughs. “But then I ... Read More »