THREE leading Catholic schools in Brisbane have started 2019 with a new two-year religious course to coincide with the implementation of the ATAR system. The new course is named “3:16”, with reference to the scripture of John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not ... Read More »
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The ‘likes’ currency – when social media becomes a market place for soft-core pornography
IN 1968 the American artist Andy Warhol gave birth to the idea that in the future everyone would be world-famous for 15 minutes. The prediction must have been inconceivable at the time. There was no Internet, and for the most part Australians led unremarkable lives. Fast-forward 50 years and Andy Warhol’s prediction has more or less come true – at ... Read More »
Safe delivery – city sanctuary offers endangered mothers a place to raise their bundles of joy
MOST expecting mothers plan for a rushed trip to the hospital to give birth, but Jane Arnott* knew her baby was already on its way. The young mother, a resident at Brisbane’s Pregnancy Crisis safe house could feel the final contractions coming and cool-headed house supervisor, stepped in as an emergency midwife to make the delivery “Yes, well it wasn’t ... Read More »
Pope Francis offers his prayers for Townsville as clean-up gets underway and costs are counted
RAINS have stopped and thousands of Townsville residents begin the task of picking through their homes to count the cost of an historic flood disaster. Pope Francis offered his condolences after the floods in a letter penned by Holy See secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Townsville Bishop Tim Harris. “Having learned of the loss of life and destruction ... Read More »
Perpetual adoration unlocks the grace and opens the ears of young men to hear the call
PERPETUAL Adoration in Banyo Nundah parish was credited for the parish’s “highest tally” of current and incoming seminarians. Banyo Nundah parish priest Fr Bernie Gallagher was given the accolade at the conclusion of last Sunday’s Commencement Mass for Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary at Banyo, in Brisbane. Fr Gallagher said seminary rector Monsignor John Grace could count all seminarians, not only ... Read More »
Apology Day anniversary stirs heartbreak for Brisbane indigenous elder Theresa Nunn
IT is 11 years since former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of a nation to Australia’s indigenous people for the Stolen Generation – and it is an anniversary that still brings deep, heartfelt tears to Brisbane indigenous elder Theresa Nunn. “I am from the Stolen Generation, I was taken when I was seven years old with my older ... Read More »
Vinnies Queensland’s new chief says their strength is in grassroots engagement, listening and being present
THE St Vincent de Paul Society’s new chief executive officer in Queensland can’t wait to “get out into the field”. Kevin Mercer’s been appointed to the role to succeed Peter Maher who is retiring. They will work alongside each other in transition until March 1 when Mr Mercer takes over as chief executive officer. Mr Mercer, whose career in Catholic ... Read More »
Unemployment, no simple remedy – the job trap keeping young Aussies from full-time work
YOUNG people often receive flak for being lazy and glued to their screens instead of joining the work-force – while this may be true for some, the harsh reality for others is much more complex. The Foundation for Young Australians released a report saying a skills mismatch was at the heart of youth unemployment, an unemployment figure they reported to ... Read More »
Rising waters bring hardship to Townsville but also bring out the best in the human spirit
FLOODS have inundated thousands of homes across Townsville Diocese and left many more without power, leading to experts declaring the weather a “once in a century event”. Townsville Bishop Tim Harris said he reached out to parishes across the diocese via text message, telling them to “stay safe”. While Bishop Harris wishes to get out there to the parishes, he ... Read More »