St Mary of the Cross Mackillop is the first Australian to be recognised as a saint. You can learn more about her life here. For Catholics in Australia, the life and work of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop has become an inspiration and a part of their identity. In Catholic Social Justice Series paper… Read More »St Mary MacKillop
"Truth was Dominic’s motto and his goal. Dominic was born in Spain, the youngest of four children. He was outstanding for his love of truth, his clear thought, his organizing ability, and his sensitive, loving nature. For Dominic, love for people was part of his love for God."Loyola Press
Do you know who the name of the Indigenous people of the place where you live? Check the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies map of Australia here. Find out more about why the United Nations decided in 1994 to celebrate a World Day of Indigenous Peoples on 9 August here.
"Countless people at home and abroad, including the hibakusha, hope that Japan, the only country to experience atomic warfare, will lead the international community in abolishing nuclear weapons. In response to that hope, we urge you to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons."Mitsuaki Takami, Archbishop of Nagasaki, President, Catholic Bishops’… Read More »1945: Destruction of Nagasaki by atomic bomb
What do you think are the real treasures of the Church? Little is actually known about St Lawrence, but the following legend, recounted by Franciscan Media, persists: As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew… Read More »Saint Lawrence
Clare was born of a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy. As a teenager she became aware that Francis, the handsome, wealthy leader of youth in Assisi, had greatly changed. Clare’s community wanted to live according to the rule of Francis. Her community still exists today, the Sisters are called the Poor Clares. Loyola Press
12 August was first designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth. More information here. 2020 Theme: To be… Read More »International Youth Day
Pope John Paul II said of Father Kolbe, “He won a victory of love. He loved both his fellow prisoners and those who put him to death. There is no greater love than this.”Loyola Press
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies explains that "the Yirrkala Bark petitions of August 1963 were sent to the Parliament by members of the clan groups living in the area of Yirrkala. Written in both Yolngu Matha and English, and presented on painted bark boards depicting country, the petitions protest the… Read More »1963: Bark petition from Yirrkala presented to Parliament
On this day, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” The Catholic Weekly provides some historical background information here.