NATHAN Parker’s lifetime dream to become a fighter pilot came crashing down in a tragic road accident, but what’s happened after that has led to him becoming the 2021 NSW Young Australian of the Year. The 25-year-old Lismore Catholic only ever had one boyhood ambition – to become a fighter pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force – and he ... Read More »
IT’S been a summer of mixed blessings for many in Queensland’s Central West parishes – for some it’s beautifully wet and for others miserably dry. Graziers in that region have been battling through drought for almost a decade, one of the worst on record, and parishes have been praying for rain. Some parishioners have had their prayers answsered while others ... Read More »
NATHAN and Jennifer Costin have always believed that God answers every prayer, so when they asked to grow in the virtue of patience last year, they were preparing for a tough life lesson. What they didn’t expect was being stuck in limbo between Brisbane and Melbourne for 17 days due to a state border closure. “God doesn’t just give you ... Read More »
FIRST responders tending to thousands of displaced Fijians in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasa are focusing their efforts on bringing long-term healing to victims of natural disaster trauma. Caritas Fiji executive director Agatha Ferei said the Catholic Church’s response to Cyclone Yasa’s devastation, which has left four people including a three-month old boy dead, included offering victims spaces “to just ... Read More »
“I STILL get a buzz when I see the positive difference we make to the lives of our clients,” long-time Centacare employee and long-service award winner Desley Chorlton said. Ms Chorlton, who is the Brisbane North and Moreton Bay regions community services area general manager, received a 20 years of service award as part of Centacare’s annual recognition program. She ... Read More »
THE former parish priest of Port Arthur has criticised the decision to make a film detailing the events that led to the 1996 massacre. Brisbane priest Fr Morgan Batt was the parish priest of Richmond and Port Arthur, Tasmania, when the massacre which killed 35 people unfolded. He was on his way to say Mass at Port Arthur when he ... Read More »
THERE will be plenty of room at one guest house this Christmas after a Brisbane safe house successfully transitioned its last live-in mother into stable accommodation. Pregnancy Crisis is a volunteer-run service that provides practical support, including emergency accommodation, for women with unplanned or unexpected pregnancies. During the pandemic the organisation extended its crisis accommodation period for as long as ... Read More »
A BRISBANE Catholic deacon and former military chaplain has defended Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is under fire for his lavish lifestyle and quirky behaviour. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Bangkok to speak out against their ruler – the richest monarch in the world – who’s accused of funding his wild ways at ... Read More »
DAVID Vidler laced up his shoes, put on his cap and trekked 24 hours straight to raise much-needed funds for his local St Vincent de Paul Society conference last weekend. Mr Vidler, an Ashgrove parishioner, walked more than 100km from 9.30am Saturday to 9.30am Sunday, raising $5121 for his local St Finbarr’s Vinnies conference. He crossed the finish line right ... Read More »
The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You
