Mission & Catholic Identity News

What is A Dad?

As we know from the adverts on TV – this Sunday is Father’s Day. The role of dad for me at this time in my life with three children, is my most important role. The role of fathers or significant males has changed over recent times.

Research says that dads can offer stability and reassurance to children, particularly when there's a lot going on. As a father we are a role model, a comforter, a care-giver, confidant, and a problem solver. Fathers matter, we are aware of that, but we may not know exactly what a male presence brings to children. Stop for just a moment and ask yourself ‘what’s most important about being an active dad in the picture?’ It is said that fathers help children individuate, in that he is typically more willing to let a child out of his sight than mum will. A father will let the child crawl twice as far as mum will before retrieving the infant. Especially when the football is on TV.

Whether you are looking at the research, or simply seeing the joy on a child’s face when dad is there and engaged, the facts cannot escape us: dads make a difference. Have a great Father’s Day.

What Is A Dad?

A dad is someone who

wants to catch you before you fall

but instead picks you up,

brushes you off,

and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who

wants to keep you from making mistakes

but instead lets you find your own way,

even though his heart breaks in silence

when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who

holds you when you cry,

scolds you when you break the rules,

shines with pride when you succeed,

and has faith in you even when you fail...

St. Augustine – Feast Day

During this week, is the Feast Day of St Augustine (Wednesday, 28 August 2019) one of my favourite saints and accepted by many as the most important figure in the Western church. St. Augustine was born in North Africa in 354CE to a Christian mother, but his father remained a pagan until late in life. A review of his life and work, shows him as an active mind engaging the practical concerns of the churches he served.  He is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break.

We celebrated Augustine House, with a Mass on both of our campuses on Thursday, 29 August 2019.

We are all in this together

September is biodiversity month. Biodiversity means the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. There are many themes found in our Catholic Social Teachings around our duties towards the environment that are linked to our duties towards the human person. Catholic teaching has long been that care for the earth and is both a duty that we owe to God and a reflection of our respect for each other. So, the Church isn't some Johnny come lately to protecting the planet. As early as 1891, Pope Leo 13 wrote that God gave the earth to "mankind in common" so as to leave "the limits of private possessions to be fixed by the industry of men and the institutions of peoples." He went on to explain the goods of nature and the gifts of divine grace belong in common and without distinction to all humankind.

In 1965, the Second Vatican Council proclaimed that: "God destined the earth and all it contains for the use of every individual and all peoples". As Pope John Paul 2 later explained, these words mean that it is unjust when a privileged few squander resources, while others live in need. In his 2008 World Day of Peace address, Benedict reminded us that humans have a duty to protect our environment for the benefit of humankind.

Therefore, environmental concerns are nothing new to the Catholic Church. It has long taught that the duty to protect the environment is rooted in a profound theological understanding of the world and humankind's place within it.

A reflection from the late Jesuit Priest – Thomas Berry:

"Without the soaring birds, without the great forests, the free-flowing streams, the sight of the clouds by day, and the stars by night, we become impoverished in all that makes us human."

Upcoming Events

1. Augustine House Mass (CRA/CLN) – Thursday, 29 August 2019.
2. Sale Diocese School Social Justice Day at Lavalla College, Traralgon – Monday, 9 September 2019.
3. Sale Diocese Plenary Session, Warragul – Friday, 13 September 2019 & Saturday, 14 September 2019.
4. Staff Spirituality Day, Monday, 7 October 2019.

Matthew Williams

Deputy Principal - Mission & Catholic Identity