Featured Stories 2008 

• 20/11/2008 - St Christopher's students showcase their talents
  Over the past few weeks students at St Christopher's School, Panania, have been participating in a talent quest titled, 'So you think you have talent?'. The talent quest was designed to raise awareness and funds for those children and families...
• 14/11/2008 - 'Ang mga bata ng Manila' - (The Children of Manila)
  The overshadowing figure of the SM Mall crouching over the underpass of the highway leaves little light for street children of Manila, some of which have always called the 'street' their home.
• 14/11/2008 - Retreat Workshop - Monday 10th and Friday 24th October
  Planning and conducting retreats is both a challenging and incredibly rewarding experience. In various research studies, the retreat experience has been identified by students as one of the most profound and enjoyable experiences...
• 7/11/2008 - Through their eyes sharply
  Through Their Eyes Sharply by Sr Giovanni Farquer rsj was launched on Sunday 14 September by Professor Hayden Ramsay.
• 4/11/2008 - Youth Unite At Domremy College!
  Domremy College Five Dock is hosting an exciting event which carries forward the energy and spirit of WYD. YOUTH UNITED is a completely student-led initiative which seeks to bring together young people from all around the Inner West...
• 31/10/2008 - Philip Neri Lecture - Forsaken Voices: Desecration and Plunder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Forsaken Voices - Desecration and Plunder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo explored the harsh realities of a society desecrated by civil war and exploitation as it moves towards peace, stability and reconciliation.
• 31/10/2008 - All Saints Day and All Souls Day
  At the beginning of November the Church celebrates two great Catholic feasts: All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2).
• 24/10/2008 - Ethics Professional Development Day for Stage 6 RE teachers
  The Stage 6 Ethics Day for 35 teachers of Catholic Studies and Studies of Religion was held on Friday 17th October 2008 at Catholic Education Office, Lidcombe. This was the final day in a series of professional development days for Stage 6 teachers..
• 17/10/2008 - Study At Notre Dame
  A common misconception about teaching relates to all of the holidays that teachers have. Many people would be unaware of the countless hours that many teachers spend during their holidays pursuing further study.
• 17/10/2008 - The Philip Neri Lecture Series
  Anthony Crook, Campus Minister of the University of Notre Dame, is the brainchild behind the Philip Neri Lecture Series which will be held again on Tuesday 21 October.
• 10/10/2008 - Primary Schools Keep the WYD Spirit Alive
  The Spirit of World Youth Day was found alive and well in Inner Western primary schools on Thursday 25 September. St Pius' Enmore hosted parent, teacher and student representatives from three other surrounding primary schools...
• 9/10/2008 - New CYS Director
  Recently, the Archdiocese of Sydney appointed a new Director to Catholic Youth Services, Mr Sean Finucane. Sean, who has significant experience in parish youth ministry both in Australia and the United States commenced in the role on September 8.
• 30/9/2008 - October: Month Of The Rosary
  October has been set aside as a time for people to pray and meditate upon the Rosary, a popular devotion among Catholics. October 7 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, instituted following the Christian victory over Muslims at Lepanto in 1571.
• 19/9/2008 - Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
  William J. Byron, S.J. in his article, "Ten building blocks of Catholic Social Teaching," (1998) presents the following list of principles as best representing and underpinning Catholic Social Teaching...
• 19/9/2008 - Youth Forums
  In the wake of World Youth Day there has been a flurry of activity amongst young people as they pursue a diverse range of options so as to be more fully engaged in the life of the Church.
• 12/9/2008 - Benedict XVI Retreat Centre
  The Sydney archdiocese has recently purchased a retreat centre at Grose Vale, 90 minutes from the Sydney CBD. Named in honour of Pope Benedict XVI the centre encompasses an area of 16 hectares of secluded bushland and it can currently accommodate...
• 12/9/2008 - Exaltation Of The Cross
  As a symbol of the Passion of Christ, the Cross is the most honoured of all Christian symbols. It not only signifies the redemptive act of Jesus but it also calls us to be people of strength and courage so as to endure the many trials...
• 4/09/2008 - The Feast of the Birth of Mary
  8th September - Liturgically, the Church celebrates only two birthdays other than the nativity of Jesus; John the Baptist (June 24) and Mary (Sep 8). Both of these feasts acknowledge their significant role in salvation history.
• 4/9/2008 - "Quiet Please, we are meditating"
  For some years now, the staff of Sacred Heart Villawood have set some time aside each week for prayer. It is perhaps the only time we are together with nothing else to do, and absolutely no agenda.
• 4/9/2008 - Grandparents' Day Reflection
  As in most schools we celebrate many occasions during the school year and I would like to take this opportunity to share my memories of last Wednesday's Grandparents' Day (13th August) which was celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Miranda (OLSS).
• 26/8/2008 - Year 6 RE Test - Our Lady of the Rosary, Fairfield
  It was a very proud day for the Year 6 students of Our Lady of the Rosary, Fairfield when the RE Test results were announced and certificates presented. Five of the students received Full Marks (100%) for their RE Test, an outstanding achievement!
• 26/8/2008 - Captivated By Your Teachings
  Recently Fr Anthony Salim, author of Captivated By Your Teachings met with Religious Education and Evangelisation personnel from across the Archdiocese. Fr Salim, who is an internationally renowned educator on Eastern Catholicism...
• 19/8/2008 - Congratulations Pagewood on a wonderful result.
  Our Lady of the Annunciation Pagewood has 17 students in their Year 6 class. There used to be 31 when they were in Year 2! OLA is a single stream school so most of the students have been together in the same class from Kindergarten.
• 4/8/2008 - Momentum: A Spirituality Group for Young Men
  Recently, Fr Ken Barker released his popular book Young Men Rise Up. The boys of De La Salle College Revesby have certainly risen to the occasion. Hot on the heals of World Youth Day, and with a strong desire to ride the wave of energy...
• 31/7/2008 - National Vocations Week
  The Australian Catholics Bishops Conference have designated 3-10 August as Vocations Week. This week is designed to heighten awareness of the religious meaning of the word 'vocation' as being a calling from God to seek and find fullness of life...
• 29/7/2008 - Faith and Reason - Register Now
  The relationship between Faith and Reason is central to effective teaching of Religious and Values education and represents a theme that cuts across almost all areas of the discipline...
• 24/7/2008 - Feast of St Charbel
  Thursday 24th of July is the feast of the Maronite Saint, Charbel Maklouf. This holy Saint, who was the first Lebanese Christian Saint formally acknowledged by Rome, is renowned for the intensity of his spiritual life as a hermit...
• 22/7/2008 - The addresses of Pope Benedict XVI during World Youth Day.
  During his recent visit to Australia for World Youth Day His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI gave a number of profound and deeply insightful addresses, both as homilies and key-note speeches.
• 11/7/2008 - Feast day of St Benedict
  Friday 11 th July is the feast day of St Benedict (480-550), often referred to as the Father of Western Monasticism. Here is a reflection on this great saint. Today is also the feast day of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI...
• 7/7/2008 - Truth and Faith in Ethics Conference.
  Three members of the RE&E team, Helen McLenaghan, Sue Moffat and Paul Durkin with John Edwards (ICT Unit) attended the International Conference on Moral Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, Broadway campus recently.
• 3/7/2008 - Blessed Pierre Giorgio Frassati
  On Wednesday 2nd of July, just 13 days shy of the start of the WYD celebrations, the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati arrived at St Benedict's church in Broadway where it will remain until July 10.
• 25/6/2008 - Prayer of Blessing for pilgrims
  All secondary schools are encouraged to make use of this resource to prepare a Prayer of Blessing or commissioning for their WYD pilgrims. This prayer is available as a Word document or as a Power Point.
• 18/6/2008 - World Refugee Day
  World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20 and the Refugee Council of Australia is encouraging organizations to celebrate a unified Refugee Week. The theme this year is 'A Place to Call Home'.
• 13/6/2008 - Launch of xt3
  On Thursday 12 June over 100 young people gathered for the official launch of xt3, a new catholic social network. Modelled on Facebook and MySpace xt3 is an exciting initiative by the Catholic Church that aims to create a virtual community...
• 11/6/2008 - 2008 National Values Education Forum
  This Forum was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) under the Quality Outcomes Program. The Values Initiative was begun in 2005.
• 11/6/2008 - Walk with Christ 08 - A Sea of Faith
  The streets of Sydney were a sea of colour as the faith of around 6000 Catholics was on display during the annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession.
• 29/5/2008 - The Spirit of WYD alive at the WYD Pilgrim Group Leaders Formation
  There are few roles at World Youth Day more important than that of Pilgrim Group Leader (PGL) - those pilgrims who will guide a small group of young pilgrims in prayer and reflection before and during WYD.
• 26/5/2008 - Prayer - What is reconciliation?
  The vision for the Australian Council of Reconciliation is for an Australia that recognizes the special place and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians, values their participation and provides equal...
• 26/5/2008 - Two Day Teaching Intensive
  About twenty five young teachers with limited qualifications in the teaching of Religious Education participated recently in a two-day Teaching Intensive at the Catholic Adult Education Centre.
• 14/5/2008 - Teachers meet to learn more about the Scriptures
  On Friday 9 May, a Stage 6 RE Inservice focusing on Scripture was held at Leichhardt...
• 13/5/2008 - St Pius Enmore's Very Own World Youth Day!
  The last Monday of Term One was a very special day at St Pius' Primary School, Enmore. The Principal, Mrs Cathie Blinman, declared it St Pius' very own World Youth Day!
• 9/5/2008 - Burma Cyclone Nargis Appeal
  A category 3 cyclone (Cyclone NARGIS) struck Burma on Saturday 3 May. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has mandated Caritas Australia as the agency for Catholic communities to support when emergencies, such Cyclone Nargis occur.
• 1/5/2008 - May: month dedicated to Mary
  May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• 28/4/2008 - Feast of St Peter Chanel
  A short outline & reflection on St Peter Chanel's life and a novena dedicated to his memory.
• 25/4/2008 - ANZAC Day Prayer
  Liturgy of the Word for Anzac Day
• 11/4/2008 - The Pilgrimage of World Youth Day
  The young person who goes on pilgrimage to World Youth Day is following in the footsteps of thousands before them, all on a spiritual journey towards God. Take the journey of a lifetime, become a pilgrim.
• 11/4/2008 - CAEC Graduation
  Thirteen students were awarded certificates from the Catholic Adult Education Centre at a graduation ceremony held on April 8 at the Centre in Lidcombe.
• 7/4/2008 - Veneration of the WYD Cross and Icon
  When we venerate an object we show it special honour and reverence. This week, many of us will have the opportunity to venerate the World Youth Cross and Icon. These are two special sacred symbols.
• 14/3/2008 - Liturgy Success
  The recent "Liturgy in Schools" inservice offered by Fr Tim Deeter was a huge success. This two day intensive at CAEC Lidcombe was attended by over 90 teachers, catechists and parish workers...
• 14/3/2008 - The New Evangelisation
  In their pastoral letter Catholic Schools at a Crossroads the Bishops of NSW and ACT call upon school leaders to make their communities centres of the New Evangelisation.
• 13/3/2008 - Some Changes in the Celebration of Mass
  On Pentecost Sunday, 11 May 2008, Catholics in Australia will be asked to make two changes in the way we celebrate Mass.
• 10/3/2008 - A New Year for CYS
  A new and exciting year has begun for the team at CYS as they enthusiastically prepare for World Youth Day '08. The team itself is drawn from different parts of the world and from a diversity of career paths...
• 4/3/2008 - Consultation Evening with Cardinal Pell
  Young leaders from Sydney's Catholic secondary schools met on Thursday 28th February with Cardinal George Pell, to share views about being young Christians and witnesses in a contemporary world.
• 2/3/2008 - Reflections of Israel
  For two weeks I lived within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. - Diane Carolan
• 20/2/2008 - Bella
  The internationally acclaimed and award winning film BELLA will open in Australian cinemas on Thursday 21 February. This unambiguously pro-life film has been welcomed by Christian leaders and has received the strong endorsement...
• 20/2/2008 - Visit to WA Presentation schools
  Recently Paul Durkin spent four days working on Evangelisation Policies and the 'Religious Dimension of the Catholic school' with Presentation Sisters' school staffs in Perth.
• 13/2/2008 - Turkey Interfaith Study Tour Report
  A report by Dr John Lee, Curriculum Coordinator - Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg Heights
• 12/2/2008 - A Prayer Service to show our solidarity with the our Indigenous sisters and brothers...
  On Wednesday 13th February 2008, the Prime Minister will make an Apology on behalf of the National Parliament to the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal people. 
• 31/1/2008 - Spe Salvi
  Pope Benedict XVI released Spe Salvi, his second encyclical, on 30 November 2007, just in time for Advent, the season of hope and expectation.
• 25/1/2008 - Prayer for the Beginning of the School Year
  An opening School Year Prayer has been prepared for use ...
• 17/1/2008 - 8th International Conference on Children's Spirituality
  Anthony Cleary, Director of RE & Evangelisation and Sue Moffat, Primary Education Officer (RE) will facilitate workshops at the upcoming Eighth International Conference on Children's Spirituality...
• 16/1/2008 - Witnesses for Christ - 2008 Lenten Program
  Designed for use by small groups, who come together once a week to pray, to consider the Gospel reading for the following Sunday, and to discuss a reflection on the Gospel passage and a personal testimony.