The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You

DOMESTIC violence workers are dealing with a significant increase in distressed women and children, including those involved in high-risk cases, as awareness campaigns continue across south-east Queensland. Centacare, the Catholic Church’s social services arm, has reported increases in the number of women who have reached out for help, matching the observations of police. “This is a problem that is everywhere. ... Read More »

HOW does an aged-care worker navigate the rights of a dementia patient who refuses to shower? How does a doctor decide when a patient can really consent to a procedure? Health workers are constantly called on to make critical decisions, yet they cannot always look to the law for answers. “Good law is very important, but being able to make ... Read More »

SUNSHINE Coast residents will light up Mooloolaba Beach to send a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in the community. Sunshine Coast Council is organising a march from Alexandra Headland today, followed by a candle lighting ceremony at Mooloolaba Beach to remember victims and survivors of domestic and family violence. The event marks national domestic ... Read More »

A JOURNEY that began with the arrival of Queensland’s first Sisters of Mercy in 1861 took another historic turn recently. During a special ritual, the Brisbane Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy transferred canonical responsibility for Mercy Community Ltd to Mercy Partners. Mercy Community Ltd has been a ministry of the congregation for many years and incorporates aged care, family ... Read More »

OVERCOMING hardship and a strong dose of self-sacrifice has enabled 27 students from Solomon Islands to graduate from Australian Catholic University’s business program. “It is a dream come true. We haven’t expected to come this far,” student spokesman George Tapo, who is the Pacific island nation’s deputy commissioner of Inland Revenue Division, said. The students, each considered leaders in a ... Read More »

LATIN American international students who received food donations from their Catholic community to survive being ruthlessly underpaid by employers have welcomed new mandatory labour hire licencing laws aimed at protecting vulnerable workers. Colombian native Sergio Duran was exploited by at least two cleaning companies since moving to Australia in 2014 for study. He told The Catholic Leader last year that ... Read More »

A FATHER and son, members of the Catholic Worker movement, have demonstrated against soldiers carrying rifles in churches during Anzac Day commemorations. Jim Dowling and his son Franz took their action to the steps of St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane last week, where an Anzac Day service honoured the actions of military service men and women. “There are soldiers with ... Read More »

UNTIL two weeks ago, Val Davidson believed only one place honoured the memory of her uncle who never returned home from the First World War. Charleville-native Private John Joseph Kenny, who is Mrs Davidson’s father’s older brother, died on his first day of battle in Gaza, Egypt, on April 19, 1917. He was only 23. Mrs Davidson had seen his ... Read More »

NOEL Synnott almost lived his entire life without knowing his dad’s fingerprints are on the infamous Amiens Gun captured by Australian soldiers in 1918. The 79-year-old Dutton Park parishioner only found out nine years ago that his father and uncle were heroes in the First World War. Mr Synnott said nine years ago a schoolmate found the military records for ... Read More »