W W W. M N N E W S . T O D AY / A U R O R A
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Anniversaries, Easter and hope
On the cover An empty Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
Featured f Easter message 2020
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f Alive and online
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f Keeping Sunday holy
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f From Wuhan to the world
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f Takin’ it to the street
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f Barista and butcher meat in the sandwich 9 f Learning as we go
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f Age-old attitude prevails
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f ASPIRE performers tread the keyboards
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f Spectrum offers security
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f Print proclamation
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f Embracing First Nations voices
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f Meeting of the minds
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f Magdalene for Margot
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f Learning from pain to shape the future
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f The SRE vibe
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f Agent of change
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f Colourful community connection
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f Unity in diversity
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f Tradition rises to the occasion
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Twelve months ago, on Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka was hit by one of the world’s worst terrorist attacks this century. Three churches, three hotels, a housing complex and a guest house were bombed in a series of co-ordinated attacks that killed 253, injured more than 500 and caused shock and sadness around the world. In the days that followed, hundreds gathered at a Newcastle memorial led by Sri Lankan-born priest, Father Joseph Figurado. Government-enforced regulations in response to COVID-19 mean there will be no local commemorative services held on the first anniversary of that fateful day. However, I would encourage you all to light a candle on 21 April for those who we lost, and reflect on the message Fr Joseph shared during his Homily at last year’s service: “Let us rise again and let us all strengthen one another with love and concern.” Fr Joseph’s message, although linked to another human disaster, rings true as we face the devastating fallout from the spread of coronavirus around the world. In this edition of Aurora, we look at the impact of coronavirus from a local
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perspective, and the unprecedented impact it is having on the Church, local schools and businesses and the tens of thousands who suddenly find themselves unemployed. But not all is lost. Easter, in particular, is a time for hope. While we may not be able to physically reach out to one another at present, extra time spent inside our homes does pose an opportunity to reflect and find new ways of being. Of listening to ourselves, each other and to God. To think differently, act more meaningfully and hopefully, as Fr Joseph points out, with renewed love and concern for each other. In recent days another important date has passed — the first anniversary of the dedication of the memorial to the victims and survivors of historical child sexual abuse at Marist Brothers High School, Hamilton. Because of COVID-19, there could be no community gathering at the memorial this year. Nevertheless, Bishop Bill has written a public letter asking that we pause and reflect on the purpose of the memorial, remembering survivors and those who are no longer with us. In doing so, he says “community recovery is often tied to a collective expression of grief for which the Marist Memorial is an enduring
f First Word
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f My Word
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f CareTalk
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f Community Noticeboard
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At the time of going to print, ABC has screened one episode of a three-part series titled Revelation, presented by journalist Sarah Ferguson. Bishop Bill took part in the interview with the understanding that it was to be a serious, in-depth and balanced documentary regarding the child sexual abuse crisis that plagued our Church in the later part of the 20th century and importantly, what the Church has done since, and continues to do, to address those truths. Having been there when Ferguson interviewed the Bishop, I share his concern that the documentary has chosen to take a more sensationalist approach. By the time you read this, the documentary will have been aired in its entirety. Ahead of the screening, Bishop Bill wrote a letter to our community so you could consider what’s been presented in Revelation from a multitude of perspectives, and I implore you to read it. It too can be found at mn.catholic.org.au/press-releases. Aurora went to print Sunday 29 March Lizzie Snedden is editor for Aurora
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Next deadline 10 April, 2020 Aurora editorial and advertising enquiries should be addressed to:
Good news! You can still catch up with Aurora online, via www.MNnews.today.
Elizabeth Snedden P 0404 005 036 E elizabeth.snedden@mn.catholic.org.au
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symbol”. You can see the full statement at mn.catholic.org.au/press-releases.
Editor: Lizzie Snedden Sub Editor: Brooke Robinson Graphic Design: David Stedman Aurora appears in The Newcastle Herald on the first Saturday of the month, in The Maitland Mercury, The Singleton Argus, The Manning River Times and The Scone Advocate on the following Wednesday and in The Muswellbrook Chronicle on the following Thursday. The magazine can also be read at www.MNnews.today.
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