CRUISE ships are a second home for retired Brisbane priest Fr Leo Burke and he is hoping his last trip ending on March 14 will not be his last. The 80-year-old spent most of February and early March out at sea as a cruise chaplain for the Apostleship of the Sea USA branch, which runs a Cruise Ship Priests program ... Read More »
EVERYTHING from food services to public showers were growing scarce for Brisbane’s homeless population under increasing restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Emmanuel City Mission director Roby Curtis said their operations had reduced to comply with state and federal restrictions, but they were committed to “meet the need”. The South Brisbane homelessness centre had reduced its hours ... Read More »
WE know to wash our hands for the time it takes to say the Our Father, and it’s abundantly clear how close we can be to the nearest person in the supermarket. But in addition to these obligatory recommendations from Australian health officials, parish nurse Leonie Rastas also believes Australians should improve their spiritual health while in self-isolation. The co-founder ... Read More »
TRIBUTES are flowing for former Iona College student who died after a shark attack on the southern Great Barrier Reef. Queensland Parks and Wildlife ranger Zach Robba, aged 23 was flown to Gladstone Hospital with life threatening injuries, but died. Mr Robba was part of a group of rangers undertaking research and essential maintenance on North West Island. “This was ... Read More »
VINNIES Queensland chief executive officer Kevin Mercy sent out a simple message to anyone affected by COVID-19 joblessness, underemployment or poverty – help is still available. Mr Mercer said to follow health directives meant Vinnies was forced to close its 153 Queensland shops last week for a four-week period from March 30. “The closure was necessary, but done with great ... Read More »
BRISBANE’S small community of cloistered nuns have chosen to sacrifice daily Mass in their chapel so they can be united with Catholics who cannot attend Mass because of the COVID-19 crisis. Since the closure of churches in the Archdiocese of Brisbane on March 23, the Carmelite Sisters in Ormiston have forgone their daily Mass to be in solidarity with their ... Read More »
BRISBANE Catholic Colleges have been putting resources to good use assisting in making face masks for health workers on the coronavirus frontline. Iona College, Lindum and Padua College, Kedron, are among schools working around-the-clock to produce mask frames using 3D printers – an important contribution towards ending a shortage of personal protective equipment. Both schools were alerted to a call ... Read More »
A COLLEAGUE of mine is overseas as I write this. Along with many others, he is now caught up in the precautions to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus. We are not going to see him for a while, although he conscientiously keeps in touch via email and phone. We miss having him around – his quirky, faith-filled presence ... Read More »
A LETTER from a stranger can be a huge boost if you are alone in this time of isolation, or if you are stressed working on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis. Students at St Rita’s College, Clayfield have written letters to the elderly, veterans and healthcare workers, offering a ‘virtual hug’ and letting them know they are appreciated during ... Read More »
The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You
