Someone once called my columns ‘home-spun’ (I think it was kind of a compliment).  I have to admit that I find in the minutiae of daily family life all sorts of metaphors and paradigms that help me personally make sense of the spiritual life, our relationship with God and the dynamic of the Church in the world. Parent/child relationships are particularly fertil...

It is fairly obvious, in Australia as elsewhere, that there is a wide range of opinions and pastoral practices in regard to the permanent diaconate  Its virtual disappearance for many centuries  has not helped us to understand the profound value of this ministry. Neither is the all too often mentioned shortage of ordained  priests an excuse to prop up the network of C...

Human beings are creatures too. Certainly, we share a creaturely susceptibility to basic needs. Alongside the lower order animals, we seek sustenance. We long for companionship. We want warmth and air. This is part of our embodied nature. We are in the world. It comes as little surprise, then, to learn that human beings fall for some of the same tricks we use to train dogs, hor...

THERE seems to be nowhere to go after reviewing such a monstrous App as iPieta, so in this week’s column I will take a look at a different type of App. Whilst not specifically designed for Catholics or Christians, ‘Audiobooks’ is an App that has something for everyone. The application enables the user to access a library of over 2,800 audio books that exist in the...

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, 9 May, and in the hope of reaching out to the beautiful women who read The Record, this interview below is to inspire you in your day-to-day life.   Sisters: Sister Mary Madeline OP, a member of the Dominican Congregation of St Cecilia, with Bridget Spinks at the 2009 inaugual Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelisation. PHOT...

Some families turn to home-schooling as their solution to the challenge of education. One home-schooling mother spoke to The Record about how it all started for her. It’s not easy but, says Lisa English, the rewards are immeasurable. Providence’ founding family: Lisa English, above, with Elizabeth, at left, Christina, Rose, Mary and Thomas. Lisa’s children are...

FUTURE leaders recently attended Emmanuel Catholic College last Friday to meet for the first ever Catholic Schools Leadership Networking Day on Friday, 23 April.   Developing leadership: Adam O’Neill (Emmanuel), Xavier Boch (Kolbe), Stacey Giunta (Santa Maria), Diana Gligorov (Chisholm), Daniel Robertson (Aquinas), Peter Christie (CBC), James Davidson (Aquinas) and Ma...

With a federal election looming later this year, Bunbury Bishop Gerard Holohan has urged the Federal Government not to let Catholic schools fall behind.   Bunbury Bishop Gerard Holohan   Bishop Gerard Holohan has called on the Commonwealth Government to guarantee funding to Catholic schools will be maintained in real terms from 2013 to 2016. His call came...

  Click on this image to download entire edition in PDF. May 5: Highlights include   THE PARISH-  More  2010 How We Celebrated Easter Coverage featuring: Greenwood, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Mirrabooka, Bateman, Ukrainians, Gosnells, Emmanuel / Joondanna     THE NATION -  Perspectives from our columnists including ...

Benedict XVI receives copy of complete English translation of Roman Missal. The new English translation of the Roman Missal is seen in Rome on 29 April. The translation more exactly adheres to the Latin edition promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 2002. It took eight years to produce. Photo: CNS/Paul Haring VATICAN CITY - After nine years of work involving Vatican officials, English...