May the Hand of God Protect Us

On the Melbourne campus, St Patrick’s campus of ACU, we have just celebrated our patronal Feast day. » More

Endings and Beginnings

"Begin at the beginning, ..." » More

How do I Grow in This Moment?

“Getting from the present moment the kind of growth that is in it,” » More

Service

The awarding of the VC in January to Trooper Mark Donaldson is a dramatic reminder that life is not a hunt for pleasure and ‘things’ but an engagement for service. » More

Lent - a Time for Reflection

This week we celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the forty-day Church season of Lent. » More

Enough

A few years ago, I took Michael who had come from Bangladesh to Australia as part of the annual Project Compassion Appeal, » More

Now

In the history of Christian spirituality there is what has been called "the Sacrament of the Present Moment" » More

Another year...will it be change or transformation?

2009 has well and truly commenced. It promises to be a big year. » More

St. Thomas Aquinas

On 28 January the Church celebrates the feast day of St Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225 – 1274), patron saint of students and academics (and all Catholic educational institutions).  » More

Usher in peace with justice

I am one of three ACU staff members who used to work for Caritas, the Catholic aid and development network, present in 162 countries throughout the world » More

Be Still and Wait Patiently

As Advent progresses, we are challenged every day to practice patience. And the challenge of waiting for the birth of the Christ is paralleled in the events of our daily life.

An Idea

Watching the events of the last few months unfold in the US, I couldn't help but be caught up in the Obama mania that has hit the world, his sudden rise unfolding dramatically against the backdrop of the gloom of the world financial crisis. 

The Lord is my Shepherd

At this time of global financial crisis, two readings from sacred scripture come to mind. I wish to share some insights I have learned. » More

Thirsting for Knowledge

I have recently returned from my second trip to East Timor to celebrate the Graduation at the Catholic Teachers’ College, Baucau. I visited a secondary school classroom filled with well over thirty students – and no teacher.  » More

Being Socially Responsible

More than one politician has indicated that, in the face of the financial crisis, aid money will be the first to go. » More

The Challenge of email

Email communication is a vital aspect of University community in the daily round of its existence. In fact, the far-flung campuses of ACU could hardly constitute one academic entity without the marvel of the internet. » More

How Fragile we are

For many years now I have been a passionate advocate for that most precious of values - human dignity. » More

I Want To Make A Difference

I recently had an extraordinary experience in the town of Bowraville in Northern NSW as a volunteer with the Edmund Rice Camps organisation. » More

Praying The Rosary

October, for members of the Catholic Church, is a month dedicated to Mary and in particular to praying the Rosary. » More

UN World Habitat Day

Every year, the first Monday of October is observed as the UN World Habitat Day, upholding the basic right of adequate Shelter for All. » More

In the midst of 250,000 people

"Australian Catholic University has a primary responsibility to provide excellent higher education for its entire diversified and dispersed student body.” » More

Being Grateful

Many people are struggling with loss of employment; others experience mortgage stress as their homes are re-possessed. » More

People as seeds of hope and change

The ways in which we play a role in supporting people shape their lives often has far reaching impacts beyond our knowledge.

ACUSA

I have the great privilege of walking and working with students who are part of ACUSA at St Patrick’s Campus. ACUSA stands for Australian Catholic University, Students for Awareness. » More

The Ring

With Fathers Day and Blessed Mary’s birthday on the 8th September fast approaching, I found myself contemplating these significant events. This led me to recollect a story which involved both Mary and my own father, or ‘Super Poppy’ as he is otherwise known. » More

United in Peace

Recently we have witnessed two global events, World Youth Day and the Olympic Games, which in their very different ways express our human aspiration to unity, to a global sense of fellowship » More

Weakness and Strength

Saint Paul had a weakness that he called “a thorn in my flesh”. It isn’t clear what it was, but he prayed long and hard for it to be taken away. The response he received was “my power is made perfect in weakness”.

The Big Show

I’ve always had uneasy feelings towards putting on ‘The Big Show ’ to trumpet one’s religious beliefs. » More

Peace

The dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 August and 9 August 1945 is commemorated in many parts of the world.

Peregrinasaun Haksolok Hamutuk

After a long time of planning and expectation, World Youth Day 2008 is over. I was privileged enough to be asked to lead ACU National’s “East Timor Group”.

Silence

I’m a librarian and people jokingly often say “ssshhh” in conversations with me. In fact my husband in a teasing manner says that I have a degree in saying “ssshhh”.

Towards An Understanding of Home

Chris Harris was my first theology lecturer when I studied at McAuley campus some years ago. » More

Finding meaning in the experience

People go on journeys and walks throughout their lives for different reasons.

Learning to Listen

Last Friday I saw ‘A well-founded fear’, a film in the Sydney Film Festival which follows Phil Glendenning as he attempts to track down asylum seekers who had been deported by the Australian Government...

Dare to Dream

Another semester has come to an end and I have time to reflect on my accomplishments over the last year and a half.

The Heart of God

Traditionally June is the month of the Sacred Heart, which focuses our attention on the humanity of Jesus.

Human Rights: a common meeting place?

This year is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When it was drafted the Declaration offered much hope and promise in a world still finding its feet after the destruction and devastation of WWII. » More

Our chance to stand in solidarity

In the wake of the Burmese cyclone Nargis - my experience of these ‘Chin’ Burmese refugees in Malaysia comes to mind…

Truth Is A Two-Way Street

The guiding motto of my school was veritas, and perhaps, because of this, the principle of truth has been paramount through my life.

Recovering Hope

One of the three core virtues of Christian life, hope usually comes a poor third behind faith and love. Paul tells us that love is the greatest and when we consider the Proverbs, it is faith that moves mountains and love which overcomes all.

Creativity in Cold Lentils

I recently shared a meal with friends at a restaurant. After the main course, the waitress offered us a spoonful of cold “sweetened lentils” topped with some exotic cheese, which she delivered with the assurance that it would “cleanse our palates”.

It Is Through The Face That We Encounter God

With Homeless Awareness week upon us at ACU McAuley, we are confronted with images of the other, the destitute, the down trodden, and outcasts from society.

A Message of Hope

On 30 November 2007 Pope Benedict XVI gave us a new encyclical on Christian hope, Spe Salvi.

Waiting

I use public transport these days and I seem to do a lot of waiting. I am not particularly fond of waiting.

An Octopus at Easter.

On the Sunday after Easter I saw the AFL game Geelong versus Essendon in Melbourne. It was my first match in fifteen years and my first visit to Telstra Dome.

Invite relationships

3rd Sunday of Easter: Invite relationships, share stories, share meals.

The Gospel for this Sunday was the story of the disciples encountering a stranger on the road to Emmaus. It is a story of the proclamation of the Resurrection – the key to Catholic identity in all its forms.

World Youth Day

World Youth Day is a call to action, an empowering journey, which may be compared to what students gain from their time at ACU National. We will not only finish with a degree but we will be empowered to make a difference by having ‘an appreciation of the sacred in life’, and by being called to action in our ‘commitment to serving the common good’.

Living an Abundant Life

Over the summer break I had the privilege of caring for 24 intellectually disabled teenagers at a holiday camp. Over the course of the camp I watched these children care for one another in a way I had rarely witnessed.

May the evening's twilight find me gentle still

We have a week of celebrations ahead of us beginning with the "wearin’ of the green" (St Patrick’s Day) on Monday and culminating in the Resurrection of Jesus on Sunday with Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday to pass through on the way.  It is almost too much.   » More

Reason To Celebrate

It seems there is something to recognise every day in our calendar year – a charity, a tragedy, a triumph, etc. Wondering what to celebrate this week? How about you? Let’s celebrate YOU! As wonderful as we all are, we know that bad news travels fast. What a shame we can’t remember all the wonderful and truly amazing things we have done instead of focusing on our faults? Too quickly we dismiss compliments by bringing up a negative to counteract it. Why?

On being famous

Everyone has probably harboured a secret dream of becoming famous. Even if the vivid dream has been sadly abandoned what might remain is a sneaking envy of those with it as though we without it are somehow lesser mortals.

Goodness: God’s Gift To Us

There are three questions I like to employ in my teaching:Critica, Appreciative, Imaginative. » More

A time for every purpose under heaven

Apparently it was Pete Seeger who put the words from Ecclesiastes (3:1-8) to music to make the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn”... » More

The Positive Spirit is Fully Alive

The disciple asked the master, “How is it that you always have a bright positive attitude to life?” » More

The Mad Dash

Lying in a hospital bed, my sister explains to me the dramatic events of the night before as she and her husband raced through busy traffic... praying for green lights as her contractions came closer together... they had to settle for a car park far away from the hospital and then make the mad dash along corridors... up escalators... in lifts..... and fortunately, after a relatively quick labour, her baby boy Ruben was born fit and healthy. Wow! What a difference 24 hours makes! Here she is tired but calm and nursing this new bundle of love that has arrived in our lives.

Its time to change

Is it true that a human being is only part of evolution and nothing more important than a fish? Traditional Christian theology teaches us that we are the image of God but does that mean we are superior? » More

A Present For Me

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Christmas Angel Tree

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Attendance

Have you ever arrived at a destination and not remembered the journey? Did you drive through traffic and change gear, and stop, and indicate, without noticing? » More

Zest for life

As young people across the country finish Grade 12, the focus of my reflection will be on our youth. » More

What if God Was One of Us?

As the ACU National Radio pilot came to an end, the student DJs played “Holy Grail” as their last song. Throughout history, music and lyrics have challenged, transformed and changed the world. » More

Australian Catholic University is a Public University Open to All

As the University moves into another phase of its life with the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor the paradoxical issue of a Catholic University open to students and staff of all faiths, cultures, and of differing moral convictions once more comes into focus. This is an issue that has the potential to hinder the development of a vital university community » More

Farewell

These weeks see many students completing their exams – and thus their courses - with us. They will become our graduates and will carry our reputation wherever they choose to go. » More

Something New

Some time back I attended a funeral of a man who had requested "no fuss, no bother, no words…. none of the religious stuff!” - the words of a man who had died ultimately disenchanted with life. » More

The Witness of Maternity Leave

ACU showed the courage of its convictions in its early provision for maternity leave. It is always a special moment when a colleague finally brings the new baby back to the campus — eventually to resume the routine of work as usual. » More

Feast of Teresa of Avila, 15th October

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada was born in Avila, Spain, on 28 March 1515. Two key persons from her family influenced her early years - her father, a lover of serious books - and her uncle who familiarized her to the Letters of St. Jerome. » More

More connected than ever, more disconnected than ever

This is the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Week (October 7th to 13th). Never before in the history of mankind have so many people lived outside their countries of birth. » More

Entertaining Angels

Last Saturday was the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In the years immediately after the Second Vatican Council, talk about angels fell out of popularity. » More

Fridge Doors And The Rest Of The World

I have a few magnets on my fridge door. One reveals something about my cooking ability which family and friends have known for years. It says: "I have a kitchen because it came with the house!" » More

Mary Mackillop, Woman Of Faith

I set about preparing to write this Thought for the Week in early August, as we were celebrating the feast day of Blessed Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint. » More

The virtue of doubt

Doubt has suffered from bad press ever since the apostle Thomas. He either did not or could not believe that Jesus had risen until, we read, he saw it for himself. » More

Can I Be A Healer?

It is mid week and mid semester as I begin to write. Looking to my diary for inspiration I notice at the top of the page “Don’t find fault, find a remedy. Anybody can complain.” » More

A Good Story

I have always loved a good story and to this day I am an avid seeker of stories in their many and varied forms, be they by your child relating with breathless delight the details of their day or in their literary form. » More

This Moment

‘Getting from the present moment the kind of growth that is in it.’ That is one of John Dewey’s definitions of education. » More

Transformation

August 6th is the traditional Feast of the Transfiguration – recalling the occasion when Jesus was changed before the eyes of his followers, ‘his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as bright as light’ (Mt 17: 2). » More