Latest News

Australians Mourn Death of Beloved Bishop       31 Aug 2010
Australians Mourn Death of Beloved Bishop       31 Aug 2010
Catholics across Australia are saddened by the news the Most Rev Patrick Dougherty, Bishop of Bathurst from 1983 until his retirement in 2008, has died. ...  

Pope Prays for Chile Miners as Aussie Drilling Expert Advises Rescuers       31 Aug 2010
Pope Prays for Chile Miners as Aussie Drilling Expert Advises Rescuers       31 Aug 2010
Pope Benedict XVI has offered prayers for the 33 miners trapped 700 metres below ground in Chile as experts from the US space agency NASA join West Australian drilling consultant, Kevin Brown as part of the international rescue attempt. ...  

Trip to Rome Raffle Raises Funds to Help Sudanese Community       30 Aug 2010
Trip to Rome Raffle Raises Funds to Help Sudanese Community       30 Aug 2010
Edith Elliott of Rydalmere was about to undergo a pacemaker operation when her son, Robert Reed informed her she and her husband, John Elliott had won the raffle organised by the Archdiocese of Sydney. ...  

Catholic Website Strengthens Bonds between Parents, Teachers and Students       30 Aug 2010
Catholic Website Strengthens Bonds between Parents, Teachers and Students       30 Aug 2010
A groundbreaking website designed to enhance teaching and strengthen the bonds between teachers, parents and students at Catholic primary and secondary schools throughout NSW and the ACT goes online today. ...  

Even Socrates Would Have Been Proud of Three Year 11 Students       30 Aug 2010
Even Socrates Would Have Been Proud of Three Year 11 Students       30 Aug 2010
A year away from sitting HSC and more than 18 months before they will begin university, three teenagers from Marist Sisters College at Woolwich have already shown they are made of the right stuff. ...  

Refugee Advocate Says Children Kept in Detention Despite Govt Promises       27 Aug 2010
Refugee Advocate Says Children Kept in Detention Despite Govt Promises       27 Aug 2010
By changing how it refers to refugee detention centres, the Labour Government has managed to reneg on its promise not to keep children under lock and key while they are waiting to be processed. ...  

Domus Australia - Virtually Live       27 Aug 2010
Domus Australia - Virtually Live       27 Aug 2010
The Domus Australia website has been launched with the latest on renovations, restoration work and plans for the Australian Catholic Church's pilgrimage centre under construction in Rome. Apart from featuring the facilities and latest news on the centre, the Domus Australia website - www.domusaustralia.org - includes a photo and video gallery showing progress of the renovation work ...  

Taliban Target Aid Workers - Three Dead But Catholic Relief Continues in Pakistan       27 Aug 2010
Taliban Target Aid Workers - Three Dead But Catholic Relief Continues in Pakistan       27 Aug 2010
Taliban-styled terrorists have killed three aid workers helping flood victims in Pakistan's Swat Valley and seriously injured others, reports Melbourne-born Columban priest, Fr Robert McCulloch from Hyderabad. ...  

Catholic Pastoral Services Integral to Care of Sick and Elderly       26 Aug 2010
Catholic Pastoral Services Integral to Care of Sick and Elderly       26 Aug 2010
A book designed as a guide for pastoral carers working in Catholic private and public hospitals, as well as in Catholic aged care facilities was launched at Catholic Health Australia's 2010 national conference this week. "Pastoral care is an integral part of the way in which we care for the sick and the elderly," Martin Laverty, CEO of Catholic Health Australia (CHA) told conference delegates and ...  

Internships at Catholic Hospitals Could Help Training Crisis       26 Aug 2010
Internships at Catholic Hospitals Could Help Training Crisis       26 Aug 2010
Within two years there will be an estimated 3500 medical school graduates in Australia but to gain clinical experience will be a battle with less than 2500 internships likely to be available, ...  

Pope Calls for an End of Violence in Mogadishu, Somalia       26 Aug 2010
Pope Calls for an End of Violence in Mogadishu, Somalia       26 Aug 2010
The pope has called on the international community to help restore "respect for life and human rights" in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. ...  

Cuba Will Release Six Political Prisoners After Talks With the Catholic Church       26 Aug 2010
Cuba Will Release Six Political Prisoners After Talks With the Catholic Church       26 Aug 2010
The Cuban government is going to release six more political prisoners according to the Archdiocese of Havana. ...  

Surge of Interest in Priestly Vocations       25 Aug 2010
Surge of Interest in Priestly Vocations       25 Aug 2010
Sydney's World Youth Day, the recent Year for Priests together with July's Vocations Expo as part of the Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelisation, and ...  

Blessed Mother Teresa - 100th Anniversary of Her Birth       25 Aug 2010
Blessed Mother Teresa - 100th Anniversary of Her Birth       25 Aug 2010
"By blood I am Albanian. By citizenship an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus." These were the words of Blessed Mother Teresa and on 26 August many around the world are remembering the tiny nun with the huge heart and her work among the poor and dying of Calcutta, India. ...  

No Ban on Burqa Premier Tells Sydney's Religious leaders at Interfaith Dinner       24 Aug 2010
No Ban on Burqa Premier Tells Sydney's Religious leaders at Interfaith Dinner       24 Aug 2010
The Premier of NSW, Kristina Keneally told a dinner to promote interfaith harmony that her government will not support a ban on the burqua, the head and body covering adopted by some Muslim women. ...  

Vice Regal Role in Hung Parliament Important but Limited       24 Aug 2010
Vice Regal Role in Hung Parliament Important but Limited       24 Aug 2010
The role of the Governor General in a hung parliament is important but it is also limited, says Professor Greg Craven, Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University and one of the country's leading experts on Constitutional Law. ...  

Sister Myree Lobbies Both Political Leaders to Support Homeless       20 Aug 2010
Sister Myree Lobbies Both Political Leaders to Support Homeless       20 Aug 2010
Each day, a homeless woman with her belongings stuffed into a trolley attends Mass at St Patrick's Church near Wynyard. ...  

"Madrid, aqui vamos!" - WYD One Year to Go Celebration       20 Aug 2010
"Madrid, aqui vamos!" - WYD One Year to Go Celebration       20 Aug 2010
"Madrid, here we go!" was the motto of the Spanish themed day for 600 senior students who gathered at Holy Cross College Ryde one year out from the next international World Youth day in Spain. ...  

Ali Agca - When I Shot the Pope       20 Aug 2010
Ali Agca - When I Shot the Pope       20 Aug 2010
Ali Agca, the terrorist who attacked Pope John Paul II has said that his intention was not to kill the Pope, but instead to injur him. ...  

One Month for the Beatification of Cardinal Newman       20 Aug 2010
One Month for the Beatification of Cardinal Newman       20 Aug 2010
Only one month to go before the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. The celebration will take place on September 19th during the visit of Benedict XVI to Britain. ...  

CHA Plans Health Needs For The Next Decade       20 Aug 2010
CHA Plans Health Needs For The Next Decade       20 Aug 2010
The Coalition and Labour might still be arguing over health reforms, mental health issues and the much touted GP super clinics as Australia prepares to go to the polls. ...  

Make Your Vote Count Say Catholic Bishops       20 Aug 2010
Make Your Vote Count Say Catholic Bishops       20 Aug 2010
On the eve of the Federal Election many people are still asking if the Catholic Church supports one party over another. The Catholic Church and the Bishops do not tell people how they should vote. They do advise however that people should read all the policies of the political parties and make their vote count. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released a statement called Make Your Vote Count. It says politicians, parties and political campaigns should be judged against six essential criteria. ...  

Golden Search For Gwen's 10       19 Aug 2010
Golden Search For Gwen's 10       19 Aug 2010
Torah Bright, Gold Medalist Aussie snowboarder at Vancouver's Winter Olympics this year, took time out last week to visit Balmain's Fr John Therry Primary School to meet 50 youngsters aged between 9 and 11. ...  

Is Green Australia the New White Australia?       19 Aug 2010
Is Green Australia the New White Australia?       19 Aug 2010
Just a week out from the election the ABC joined the debate over population with a program called Population Puzzle and a follow-up Q&A. An example of what's criticised in the commercial media as "cash for comment", the show was financially underwritten by its star, the anti-population campaigner Dick Smith. ...  

1000 Hopefuls Compete for 15 roles in Ben Hur Spectacular       19 Aug 2010
1000 Hopefuls Compete for 15 roles in Ben Hur Spectacular       19 Aug 2010
More than 1000 Australian hopefuls are eager to win one of 15 roles up for grabs in the $15 million live extravaganza, Ben Hur: The Stadium Spectacular, ...  

Portrait of Grandfather Wins Top Photography Prize For Yr 12 Student       18 Aug 2010
Portrait of Grandfather Wins Top Photography Prize For Yr 12 Student       18 Aug 2010
Thomas Robertson, a Year 12 student from the Shoalhaven has been judged NSW winner of this year's Pixel Prize for Photography ...  

Corruption Concerns Delay Donations to Pakistan's 20 Million Flood Victims       16 Aug 2010
Corruption Concerns Delay Donations to Pakistan's 20 Million Flood Victims       16 Aug 2010
Catholic Mission (Australia) has launched an urgent appeal to help the victims of Pakistan's floods where more than 20 million people are now at risk and in desperate need. ...  

Vinnies Urges Polies to Remember Poor & Marginalised       13 Aug 2010
Vinnies Urges Polies to Remember Poor & Marginalised       13 Aug 2010
Despite the nation's recovery from the Global Financial Crisis, almost 12 percent of all Australians are still living in a state of permanent recession and ...  

Seminary Losers Still Winners       13 Aug 2010
Seminary Losers Still Winners       13 Aug 2010
The footie side fielded by the Seminary of the Good Shepherd Homebush did their best to win the coveted trophy at the annual Inter-Seminary Soccer competition played at Wagga Wagga's Vianney College last weekend. ...  

Catholic Primary Kids Make a Splash!       13 Aug 2010
Catholic Primary Kids Make a Splash!       13 Aug 2010
Professional choreographers, musicians and actors have given their time and help as mentors. But for the 1200 children from 40 Catholic primary schools across Sydney's eastern region the all -singing, ...  

Election 2010 - Facts Can Sometimes Be Hard to Digest       13 Aug 2010
Election 2010 - Facts Can Sometimes Be Hard to Digest       13 Aug 2010
Since the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, wrote in his weekly column last week why Australians thinking of voting Green as a protest against the major parties should at least study the Greens' policies, there has been a howl of green protest....  

"Marriage is an Adventure and a Lifelong Relationship"       13 Aug 2010
"Marriage is an Adventure and a Lifelong Relationship"       13 Aug 2010
Today, August 13, is National Marriage Day, and after 25 years of marriage to his wife Mary and the proud father of four, Mark Langrell has no doubts marriage is the foundation of the family and ...  

A Journey of Heart - Acclaimed Australian Movie "The Waiting City" to Screen in N.Y.       13 Aug 2010
A Journey of Heart - Acclaimed Australian Movie "The Waiting City" to Screen in N.Y.       13 Aug 2010
New Yorkers will have a chance to see "The Waiting City", by talented young director- producer-screenwriter, Claire McCarthy ...  

Benedict XVI - God Calls Us All to be Saints       12 Aug 2010
Benedict XVI - God Calls Us All to be Saints       12 Aug 2010
Benedict XVI's General Audience took place this week at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, just southeast of Rome. ...  

Australians Open Hearts for Devastated Pakistan - But Much More Needed       12 Aug 2010
Australians Open Hearts for Devastated Pakistan - But Much More Needed       12 Aug 2010
Described as the worst disaster in living memory with an estimated 14 million people now without shelter, food and fresh water and with more than six million lives now at risk, Pakistan's floods continue to overwhelm aid workers and officials. ...  

International Children's Choirs Join Forces for Cathedral College Concert       12 Aug 2010
International Children's Choirs Join Forces for Cathedral College Concert       12 Aug 2010
The popular Sydney Children's Choir will join forces with Canada's touring British Columbia Boys Choir to give a free concert in the Chapel Hall at St Mary's Cathedral College tonight. ...  

Priceless 16thCentury Icon Centrepiece of Art Exhibition at Historic Sydney Church       11 Aug 2010
Priceless 16thCentury Icon Centrepiece of Art Exhibition at Historic Sydney Church       11 Aug 2010
Painted in Northern Italy sometime between 1520 and 1550, the priceless painting of the Holy Mother and the Christ Child, and two unknown older figures, will be the centre piece of an art exhibition at Ryde's historic St Charles Borromeo Church. ...  

Sculptures - A Daily Encounter With Humanity       11 Aug 2010
Sculptures - A Daily Encounter With Humanity       11 Aug 2010
Sculpting is what one calls the kind of art that involves shaping clay, chipping away at marble or any other material. But not all sculptures convey feelings nor seek to contribute something to society. ...  

Paintings and Water Found at the Prison Where St. Peter Was Believed to Have Been Held       11 Aug 2010
Paintings and Water Found at the Prison Where St. Peter Was Believed to Have Been Held       11 Aug 2010
These damp walls surrounded those held prisoner by the emperor of Rome - people considered enemies of the state. According to tradition, two of the most famous held there were the apostles Saints Peter and Paul. ...  

Lakemba's Gifted Students Inspired by Two Admired Australians       11 Aug 2010
Lakemba's Gifted Students Inspired by Two Admired Australians       11 Aug 2010
The recent visit by NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir and former Children's Court Magistrate, Barbara Holborow to Lakemba's Holy Spirit College proved so powerful and inspiring to the teenage students at the school, ...  

Sydney Composer to Create Choral Mass for MacKillop Canonisation       10 Aug 2010
Sydney Composer to Create Choral Mass for MacKillop Canonisation       10 Aug 2010
Award-winning Sydney-based composer and organist, David Drury has been commissioned by Thomas Wilson, Director of Music at St Mary's Cathedral to create a setting for a Mass to mark the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. ...  

Make Your Vote Count Bishops Urge       10 Aug 2010
Make Your Vote Count Bishops Urge       10 Aug 2010
Catholic Bishops do not tell people who to vote for, but they do urge Australia's faithful to think about issues that are not just important to them but for the whole of Australia, says Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Bishop Catholics Conference (ACBC). ...  

Health Promises Ignore Role for Private Health       6 Aug 2010
Health Promises Ignore Role for Private Health       6 Aug 2010
The nation's major political parties have given no details or outlines for the role of private health despite three years of reviews and reports, says Martin Laverty, CEO of Catholic Health, Australia (CHA). ...  

BER Taskforce Recommends Program Cease in Current Form       6 Aug 2010
BER Taskforce Recommends Program Cease in Current Form       6 Aug 2010
The taskforce reviewing Labor's troubled $16 billion Building the Education Revolution (BER) blames State Governments for the blow-out in costs, and ...  

Abrahamic Faith Conference Well Attended       6 Aug 2010
Abrahamic Faith Conference Well Attended       6 Aug 2010
Ten years ago, the Senior Rabbi of Sydney's Great Synagogue, Jeremy Lawrence found himself trapped in a lift at Auckland Hospital in New Zealand. ...  

A Blast of Brass at the Cathedral       5 Aug 2010
A Blast of Brass at the Cathedral       5 Aug 2010
Trumpets, tubas, trombones, horns, timpani kettle drums and the rich tones of St Mary's Cathedral's famous organ will come together Friday night to give a concert Sydneysiders will never forget. ...  

Wanted! Gladiators, Slaves & Early Christians       5 Aug 2010
Wanted! Gladiators, Slaves & Early Christians       5 Aug 2010
If you're keen to don sandals and armour as a soldier in Ancient Rome's Imperial Army, appear as a persecuted Christian or show off your fitness as one of the First Century AD's courageous gladiators, now is your chance. ...  

Safety First - Unflued Gas Heaters in Catholic Schools Will Be Removed       5 Aug 2010
Safety First - Unflued Gas Heaters in Catholic Schools Will Be Removed       5 Aug 2010
Unflued gas heaters at the Archdiocese of Sydney's 147 systemic schools are to be removed as a result of public concerns they may pose risks to children's health and trigger respiratory problems in students. ...  

Opposition Vows to Cut $300 million in Foreign Aid       5 Aug 2010
Opposition Vows to Cut $300 million in Foreign Aid       5 Aug 2010
The international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church, Caritas Australia is alarmed by the Federal Opposition's decision to discontinue $300 million of foreign aid programs if it wins government on August 21. ...  

Chinese Community's $40,000 Gift to St Mary's Cathedral       5 Aug 2010
Chinese Community's $40,000 Gift to St Mary's Cathedral       5 Aug 2010
The ornately-carved timber Olea Sacra, which will house the Holy Oils at St Mary's Cathedral , is expected to be completed before the end of the year, at which time it will be installed adjacent to the High Altar. ...  

Tim Fischer Homesick for Australia       4 Aug 2010
Tim Fischer Homesick for Australia       4 Aug 2010
Australia's Ambassador to the Holy See and former deputy Prime Minister, Tim Fischer AC, has announced he will step down from his diplomatic role once his three year term in Rome comes to an end in 18 months time. ...  

Web 2.0 and a 'Mixed-up' Generation       4 Aug 2010
Web 2.0 and a 'Mixed-up' Generation       4 Aug 2010
He's been called 'Jesuit 2.0". His name is Antonio Spadaro and he has been the editor of prestigious Jesuit journal "La Civilta Cattolica" for more than ten years. ...  

No Danger of Asbestos Exposure at Sydney's Catholic Schools       3 Aug 2010
No Danger of Asbestos Exposure at Sydney's Catholic Schools       3 Aug 2010
The Catholic Education Office for the Archdiocese of Sydney has moved quickly to reassure parents ...  

Vatican and Australia Reach for the Stars       2 Aug 2010
Vatican and Australia Reach for the Stars       2 Aug 2010
The nation's bid for the international giant SKA Pathfinder telescope to be built in Australia, has a useful ally in the Vatican, Tim Fischer, Ambassador to the Holy See and former Deputy PM, told WA's Benedictine Community of New Norcia yesterday. ...  

Call For Funds to Help Victims of Pakistan Flood Disaster       2 Aug 2010
Call For Funds to Help Victims of Pakistan Flood Disaster       2 Aug 2010
As Pakistan continues to reel under the worst monsoonal floods in 80 years which have claimed 1000 lives ...