Catholic education concerned for religious freedom
The challenge of religious freedom for faith-based schools is an ongoing and important issue for Catholic school parents, educators and the broader Catholic community, according to the National Catholic Education executive director, Jacinta Collins.
‘Since 2017, successive Australian governments have committed to proactive legislation to protect religious freedoms and the rights of parents to choose a faith-based school for their children, and the right of faith communities to continue to teach and operate faith-based schools,’ Ms Collins said.
She said there have been a number of key reviews by the government with little progress being made towards protections for religious freedoms.
‘Concerns for religious freedom are amplified by the ACT government’s plans for the compulsory acquisition of Calvary Hospital and the Victorian government’s proposed removal of payroll tax exemptions that would have affected more than 21,000 secondary school students and 40,000 families’.
In a recent statement, Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher OP called on the Catholic community to make their voices known to the Prime Minister.
‘If the ACT government can do this to a Catholic hospital, then what is to stop them or any other government doing it to a Catholic school or nursing home?,’ Archbishop Fisher said. ‘Legislation to safeguard against religious discrimination has been promised by both major parties for years but nothing has happened.’ Read more.
One Journey, Together
Australians will be asked to cast their vote in the upcoming 2023 Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum. For Catholics, this is a remarkable opportunity to call on our Catholic teachings to make an informed decision.
NATSICC (with help from some friends, including Caritas, Catholic Social Services and Jesuit Social Services) have created the website One Journey, Together.
The website provides Catholics with information to help with their discernment, and features resources and videos that can be used in parishes, schools and groups to educate and inform.
Find out more.
3D smart glasses help students build multimodal literacy
Three dimensional (3D) smart glasses help students to create and communicate narratives while blending virtual and material worlds in meaningful ways, new Australian Catholic University research shows.
A study into the revolutionary technology involving 27 Year 6 students found the use of 3D virtual objects overlaid on the real world, known as holograms, enhanced print-based two dimensional (2D) written and illustrated texts through the creation of digital multimedia versions.
Lead researcher Professor Kathy Mills, of ACU’s Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE), said the study showed the benefits of transmedia storytelling using a variety of platforms to boost students’ storytelling, communication and creativity.
Read the study.
New executive director for QCEC
The Bishops of Queensland have named an education leader from Western Australia as the next Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) executive director.
Allan Blagaich who is currently executive director of the WA School Curriculum and Standards Authority will take up his new role in September. Mr Blagaich replaces Professor Lee Anne Perry who has been appointed as a professor at QUT.
Find out more.
ACU Centre for Liturgy launches Australian-first liturgy podcast
Liturgy experts from Australian Catholic University (ACU) have launched a new podcast exploring Australian and global perspectives on liturgy, sacramental theology, liturgical music, and sacred art.
Speaking of Liturgy is the newest initiative of the ACU Centre for Liturgy, a university-based centre for liturgical formation and education. The new podcast is the first Catholic liturgy podcast produced by Australian liturgy and theology experts and aims to enhance the liturgical apostolate in Australia.
The podcast’s first six episodes explore a variety of liturgical contexts, emphasising best practice in areas including school liturgies, the Sacraments of Healing, the influential role of sacred art, and Church architecture.
Future episodes will feature conversations from liturgy and music conferences, as well as Australian and international perspectives on Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy which Pope Paul VI promulgated 60 years ago this December.
What’s On
Online Prayer Service for Refugee Week 2023: The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Office of Justice Ecology and Peace invite you to an online prayer service to commemorate Refugee Week from 18 to 24 June. The theme of Refugee Week 2023 is Finding Freedom. The prayer service will be broadcast live at 7pm AEST on 20 June. Please register now.
Discernment in Common – the Ignatian way forward in a synodal church: A workshop with John Dardis SJ, general counsellor for discernment and apostolic planning of the society
When: Sunday, 1 October 2023
Time: 9.45am-1.45pm
Location: The Hall, Peter Canisius House, 102 Mona Vale Rd, Pymble NSW.