In the Autumn edition of Australian Catholics, we consider how Catholics in various communities live out the example of the Stations of the Cross – either by showing resilience (‘Can do’ or the ‘Trials of an Athlete’) or helping people carry their crosses (‘A smile, a word, a question’). We build on these ideas in many of our classroom questions and activities this term as well looking at material relevant for Anzac Day, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, motherhood, kindness, refugees and NAIDOC Week. Sign up here for our weekly Catholic Teacher e-newsletter, and receive articles, activities and resource links for teachers each week during term.
Term Dates:
Qld: Monday 15 April – Friday 21 June
NT: Monday 15 April – Friday 21 June
Vic: Monday 15 April – Friday 28 June
WA: Monday 15 April – Friday 28 June
ACT: 30 April – Friday 5 July
NSW: 29 April – Friday 4 July
Tas: 29 Apr – Friday 5 July
Dates are approximate, please check with your school for accurate dates.
CATHOLIC TEACHER EMAILS OVERVIEW
Thursday, 18 April
It’s almost time for a secular commemoration that is important to many Catholics in Australia. In ‘The fight for Peace’, Andrew Hamilton SJ reminds us that the reality of war overlays this year's Anzac Day commemorations, and is a powerful pointer to the need for the International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on 24 April. Meanwhile, Michele Gierck writes how the experience of living in a post-war zone sharpens the awareness of life and death.
We also include a review of The Great Escaper with Michael Caine, where a nearly 90-year-old absconds from his nursing home to go across to France for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Dates to remember: International Mother Earth Day (22 April), Feast of St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace (24 April), Anzac Day (25 April), Feast Day of St Mark, Nano Nagle (26 April), Saint Gianna Molla, World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April), Saint Catherine of Siena (29 April).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Apostolic
For AC+ subscribers: Vocations
Thursday, 25 April
This week, Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ helps us to delve into a deeper understanding of the meaning if the Cross in his ‘Explorations: What does the crucifix mean?’ He writes that God’s love and rescue are stronger than the power of evil and the pain and shame of the cross. Meanwhile, in ‘The comforting reality of the Cross’, Mark Doyle writes that by choosing to go to the Cross, Jesus shows us emphatically that he is with us in bad times and in the good times.
Dates to remember: Anzac Day (25 April), Feast Day of St Mark, Nano Nagle (26 April),
Saint Gianna Molla, World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April), Saint Catherine of Siena (29 April).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Solidarity
For AC+ subscribers: St Joseph the Worker/Labour Day
Thursday, 2 May
This week we look forward to Mother’s Day, giving both praise and thanks in articles by Chris Gleeson SJ and Brendan Nicholl, with classroom questions and activities to support.
Dates to remember: World Press Freedom Day (3 May), Feast day of Blessed Edmund Rice (5 May),
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (9-19 May), Pentecost Sunday (19 May), International Day of Biological Diversity (22 May), National Sorry Day (26 May), National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), Trinity Sunday (26 May), Feast of The Visitation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Christian unity
For AC+ subscribers: Mary/mothers
Thursday, 9 May
This week we take a look at both the idea of pilgrimage and the Way of the Cross in ‘More than history’ by Ann Rennie where she writes that the Way of the Cross pilgrimage in Israel is a framework for our lives, not just a walk through history. We will also take a look at the article 'True image' by Peter Fleming where from the legend of Saint Veronica comes a picture of a true believer in Jesus and justice.
For younger students, in ‘Talent for talking’ by Kate Moriarty, we examine how we show our love for each other in a variety of ways.
Dates to remember: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (9-19 May), Pentecost Sunday (19 May),
International Day of Biological Diversity (22 May), National Sorry Day (26 May), National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), Trinity Sunday (26 May), Feast of The Visitation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Communion
For AC+ subscribers: The Ascension and Pentecost
Thursday, 16 May
This week we examine themes of resilience and caring for others. In the article ‘You lose’, A/Prof Aino Suomi, Prof Daryl Higgins and Maria Battaglia show that while gambling is often described as a bit of ‘harmless fun’, there can be serious consequences to this pastime. Meanwhile, in ‘A smile, a word, a question’, young writer Niamh Kelleher writes that people should never underestimate the value of a kind gesture in supporting other’s mental health.
Dates to remember: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (9-19 May), Pentecost Sunday (19 May),
International Day of Biological Diversity (22 May), National Sorry Day (26 May), National Reconciliation Week (27 May- 3 June), Trinity Sunday (26 May), Feast of The Visitation of The Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Fidelity
For AC+ subscribers: Doing good
Thursday, 23 May
This week we look at some sombre themes. In ‘Suffering in the Bible’, Laurie Woods says that from Job we learn how lived experience subverts human expectations and traditional values.
In an article from a young writer, ‘Honouring a life: it’s a common language’ we see how regardless of beliefs, we all want to honour the departed through reverent burial customs.
Dates to remember: National Sorry Day (26 May), National Reconciliation Week (27 May- 3 June),
Trinity Sunday (26 May), Feast of The Visitation of The Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Exegesis
For AC+ subscribers: Trinity
Thursday, 30 May
This week we consider the idea of making good choices. In ‘Your choice’, Jesuit Communications direct of publishing Michael McVeigh asks ‘why do we feel the need to destroy the gifts God has given us?’
Meanwhile, in ‘The trials of an athlete’, young writer Alex Woolnough shows how we can put the gifts God gives us to good use by showing how religion can play a part in the lives of professional athletes by allowing them to become more resilient in times of trial.
Dates to remember: National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), Feast of The Visitation of The Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May), Feast of Corpus Christi (2 June), International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (4 June), World Environment Day (5 June), Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat (6 June),
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ)
For AC+ subscribers: Stress
Thursday, 6 June
This week we consider the plight of refugees, ahead of National Refugee Week, and we may even take a sneak peek at the newly released winter edition.
Dates to remember: Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat (6 June), World Oceans Day (8 June), World Day Against Child Labour (12 June), National Refugee Week (17-23 June), World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (17 June), International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June),
Vinnies CEO Sleepout, World Refugee Day (20 June), Feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga (21 June), Day of the Seafarer (25 June), St Cyril of Alexandria (27 June), NAIDOC Week (7-14 July).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Interfaith or inter-religious
For AC+ subscribers: Winter
Thursday, 13 June
There’s never enough kindness in the world, but this week we will consider how to be a little more kind. In ‘Be radical – try kindness’, Laura Kings details how a type of compassionate behaviour – radical kindness – is gaining momentum. In ‘Can do’, young writer Sienna Talbot shows that even though sometimes a task can be overwhelming, success comes when we pick ourselves up and continue.
Dates to remember: National Refugee Week (17-23 June), World day to combat Desertification and Drought (17 June), International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June), Vinnies CEO Sleepout, World Refugee Day (20 June), Feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga (21 June), Day of the Seafarer (25 June), St Cyril of Alexandria (June 27), NAIDOC Week (7-14 July).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Catholic moral theology
For AC+ subscribers: Kindness
Thursday, 20 June
This week we delve into the archives and think about young people doing good. In ‘Putting your hand up’ and ‘Getting involved’ we ask, how do we encourage young people to look beyond their own lives and get passionate about making a difference for others? We also take a more detailed look at the Patron Saint of Youth – St Aloysius and consider the example he set despite his untimely death at a young age in ‘Season of the Spirit Week 6: Feast of Aloysius (21 June)’.
Dates to remember: National Refugee Week (17-23 June), Vinnies CEO Sleepout, World Refugee Day (20 June), Feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga (21 June), Day of the Seafarer (25 June), St Cyril of Alexandria (June 27), NAIDOC Week (7-14 July).
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Catholic moral teaching
For AC+ subscribers: Young and good
Thursday 27 June
This week we consider the 2024 NAIDOC week theme - 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud' by sharing some of our NAIDOC Week Resources.
We also offer a way to keep the students amused at the Semester’s end with our ‘Gaming the Gospels – Catholicism trivia challenge’. Test your Catholic knowledge with these trivia questions. See how well you fare in this exploration of faith and tradition.
Dates to remember: National refugee week (17-23 June), St Cyril of Alexandria (June 27), NAIDOC Week (7-14 July), St Thomas the Apostle (3 July), St Elizabeth of Portugal (4 July), St Benedict (11 July), World Population Day (11 July)
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Subsidiarity
For subscribers: Indigenous spirituality
AC+ SUBSCRIBER EMAILS OVERVIEW
16 April
Updated AC+ ANZAC Day resources
30 April
Updated AC+ resources on motherhood
14 May
NEW AC+ retreat guide - Vocations and life choices
28 May
NEW AC+ guide to thinking about God
11 June
NEW AC+ guide to change and the Church
25 June
Updated AC+ resources for exploring First Nations perspectives
Don’t forget we also have free regular news and articles for teachers in our Catholic Teacher Blog and articles on spirituality on our Parish Life blog.