Opening our eyes to the strange 'other' who disturbs but enlightens us
By Dr Peter Mudge

Dear Friends,
Welcome to our second Mission and Spirituality eNewsletter for 2011.

Seeing danger instead of difference
By Fr Noel Connolly

Recently I read a column by Ross Gittins commenting on the arrival in Sydney of the distraught Afghan orphan to attend his father's funeral.

'Thank you' is only for Strangers
By Fr Teddy Collins

One of the areas of Chinese life that is difficult for Westerners to cope with is an apparent abruptness.

And after the Resurrection…commissioned
By Dr Margaret Ghosn MSHF

Jesus is 'the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end' (Rev 22:13).

Unpacking Easter
By Teresa Pirola

As enrichment to your Easter season reflections, I invite you into a midrash-Jewish storytelling tradition-relating to the biblical account of the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

The New Evangelisation
By Martin Teulan

Pope Benedict has called a Synod on the New Evangelization for October 2012 and set up a new Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization under Archbishop Rino Fisichella. 

If I can afford it
By Jim Quillinan

What would you do 'if you could afford it'? Recently I read a survey which asked people what they would like 'if they could afford it'.

Jesus in Lasallian Hearts
Introduction by Malachy Yates, FSC
Text of article by Luke Salm, FSC

Pope Pius XII in proclaiming Saint John Baptist De La Salle Patron of all teachers and student teachers was aware of the missionary nature of the Catholic School:

Walking with the Artist - new ways of 'seeing' and 'doing' spirituality (Part 1 of 3)
By Dr Peter Mudge

I once heard a story which appears to be as true today as the time in which it was written. Francis and William were two young students in England in 1804.

Sacred Journey - The 2011 WYD Pilgrimage
By Cathy Martorana

Many youth lament that by attending World Youth Day, they will miss out on important weeks of study at home. Many forgo the opportunity to attend overseas World Youth Days because they will simply miss too much university.

Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI: Celebration of Palm Sunday of the Passion of our Lord - We are striving for pure hearts and clean hands, we are seeking truth, we are seeking the face of God.

Sacred Journey - The 2011 WYD Pilgrimage
By Dr Margaret Ghosn

The unit will be delivered in an interactive online mode. The learning modules of the course include:
a. Two online modules* prior to WYD (June-July)
b. WYD pilgrimage experience accompanied by regular journal-keeping (12-15 August)
c. One online module following the WYD pilgrimage (September).

Spirit Dream in Burning Hearts

A National Gathering for all involved in Catholic Schools: 27, 28, 29 May 2011

International Year of the Forests - 'Stations of the Forest' (Columban Mission Institute)

The Columban Mission Institute has just recently launched a resource linked to 2011 as the International Year of the Forests. Entitled Stations of the Forests Australian Version DVD (including a booklet) the resource is suitable for senior students and adult groups. Refer to the flyer below for more details and an ordering form.

2011 date claimers, courses, conferences, etc

Assembled by Dr Peter Mudge and other contributors

The way of goodness and holiness: a spirituality for pastoral minsters by Richard M. Gula,  Liturgical Press, 2011

Broken by addiction, Blessed by God : A woman's path to sustained recovery by Penny Mary Hauser, MSN,  Liguori Publications, c2010.

The friends we keep: unleashing Christianity's compassion for animals by Laura Hobgood-Oster, Baylor University Press, 2010

Sadhana, A Way to God, Christian Exercises in Eastern Form by Anthony de Mello, Image Books/Doubleday, 1984. Approximately $25.

Falling Upward, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr, Josey-Bass, 2011.

Submitted by Heather Lang, Gerard Moore and Peter Mudge