Here are some of the topics we will explore in Catholic Teacher over the coming weeks.
21 July – Good sport
To coincide with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, our teaching resources look at sport in the Bible, how to be a ‘Kindness Champion’, and the ways sport and religion intersect. In an Australian Catholics Winter 2022 article ‘Against the grain’, Sister Melissa Dwyer of the Canossian Daughters of Charity tells us why she gave up her Olympic career to be a nun. We also look forward to the Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola.
For AC+ subscribers: A collection of articles on Mary Magdalene.
Dates to remember: Feast of St Mary Magdalene (22 July), Commonwealth Games (28 July – 10 Aug), Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola (31 July).
28 July – Homelessness
Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ says Homelessness Week commemorations remind us that stable accommodation is necessary if we are to live with our dignity respected. Classroom resources accompany the article. We also offer some timely reading about peace and the Church.
For AC+ subscribers: a deep dive into friendship.
Dates to remember: Schools Tree Day (29 July), International Day of Friendship (30 July), National Tree Day (31 July), The Transfiguration of the Lord (6 Aug), Hiroshima Day (6 Aug).
4 August – Religious founders
We look to the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross and Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ writes about another saint, St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), who also fell afoul of the Church leadership, but went on to found a religious order and receive posthumous recognition. We anticipate International Youth Day with some reading for the classroom and some teaching resources.
For AC+ subscribers: a list of our best articles on Indigenous peoples.
Dates to remember: Feast of St Alphonsus Liguori (1 Aug), Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross (8 Aug), International Day of The World's Indigenous Peoples (9 Aug), International Youth Day (12 Aug).
11 August – Human rights and women in the Church
World Humanitarian Day is a global celebration of people helping people. This week we take a look at what this really means in ‘Explorations: Human rights and the Holy Spirit’ and an accompanying set of classroom resources. We also delve into the history of the Assumption of Mary
For AC+ subscribers: Women in the Church.
Dates to remember: Feast of the Assumption of Mary (15 Aug), World Humanitarian Day (19 Aug).
18 August – Democracy and politics
Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ explains why it is too simple to conclude that religious beliefs cause violence, in an article inspired by the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Peter Fleming writes about a saint who devoted her life to God’s work after she was freed from slavery.
For AC+ subscribers: democracy, politics and leadership from a Catholic standpoint.
Dates to remember: International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (22 Aug), International Day in Remembrance of Slavery and its Abolition (23 Aug).
25 August – Care for Creation
We prepare for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation by reading how a focus on eco-spirituality drew Elizabeth Young to the Sisters of Mercy. In ‘A Letter to a Street Seller’, Michael McGirr enjoys the observations of, and conversation with, those who sell The Big Issue.
For AC+ subscribers: articles and activities on fatherhood and St Joseph.
Dates to remember: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (1 Sept), Father’s Day (4 Sept), International Day of Charity (5 Sept).
1 September – Young Voices Awards
In this special edition of Catholic Teacher we announce the winners of the Young Voices Awards. We will also be getting ready for Father’s Day with a gift and viewing guide, and look forward to Australian Catholics Spring 2022 edition with the first article on the theme of ‘Media for Good’. A young writer from this year’s internship program writes about how social media today has the same capacity to disrupt, entrance, upset and inform as the advent of the printing press did.
For AC+ subscribers: read about Spring and new life to celebrate the change of seasons.
Dates to remember: Father’s Day (4 Sept)
8 September – Child Protection Sunday
We venture down the rabbit hole of the internet with a little advice from Alice, and a lot from the experts on how to keep ourselves safe along the way. We will also look seriously at child protection in the lead up to Child Protection Sunday.
For AC+ subscribers: rejoice in all things literacy related with a collection of our best articles.
Dates to remember: National Child Protection Week (4-10 Sept), International Literacy Day (8 Sept)
15 September – Value of entertainment
As the term ends, we look at how some of our favourite entertainment vehicles are becoming media for good with two engaging articles by young writers from this year’s internship program.
For AC+ subscribers: In the lead-up to World Suicide Prevention Day, we have collated a range of relevant articles. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Beyond Blue.
Dates to remember: World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept).
22 September – Deadly sins of media
For those who are not yet on holidays, we will look at a young writer’s piece on ‘The deadly sins of the media’.
For AC+ subscribers: Reading, viewing and listening on the theme of Virtue.
Dates to remember: Social Justice Sunday (24 Sept)
29 September – Valuing identity
We consider identity and appearance with an article titled ‘The Hair Taboo’. We will also get tips from another young writer on how to be sage with our charitable donations.
For AC+ subscribers: articles about angels and an angelic entertainment guide.
Dates to remember: Feast of St Vincent de Paul (27 Sept), Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels (29 Sept)
Exclusively for AC+ subscribers:
2 August – updated AC+ resources guide on Religious vocation and the Sacrament of Holy Orders, link to the video from Q&A session on creatively engaging students with the Bible and a link to register for the August Q&A session on Media for Good.
16 August – NEW AC+ resources guide the Bible, a look at the AC+ calendar and a link to register for the August Q&A session on Media for Good.
30 August – Updated AC+ resources on caring for creation ahead of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, a closer look at our resource finder and a link to register for the September Q&A session on Social Justice.
13 September – NEW AC+ resources on Media and communication in the Church to support the Spring Edition in the theme ‘Media for Good’, a closer look at our archives section on the Education Hub and a link to register for the September Q&A session on Social Justice (11 October).
27 September – NEW AC+ resources on Mary, Mother of God, ahead of the month of the Holy Rosary, a closer look at our Saints section on the Education Hub and a link to register for the September Q&A session on Social Justice (11 October).