2009

Tuesday 29 September 2009
Local gathering exploring benefits and challenges of a changing Church

Over 100 people from throughout the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will gather for the next three days to consider the issues they face as they welcome priests from overseas to minister in the local community.

According to the Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, the Most Reverend Michael Malone, “The Church in the 21st century reflects the multicultural nature of the society in which we live. This year our diocese has been enriched by the ministry of a number of priests from overseas. They join a number of
Religious Sisters and lay people living and working within our Diocese who were born in countries other than Australia.

“Over the next three days, lay people, religious and clergy will consider together some of the challenges and rewards of this rich mix of culture and mission. In a spirit of reflection and companionship, we will listen, learn and share in the exploration of our changing culture and its contributions to the mission of our diocese.”

Key Conference Program Times

Today: Tuesday, 29th September
11.30am Religion, Australia and Maitland-Newcastle Diocese - Des Cahill - Professor of Intercultural
Studies at RMIT University, Melbourne
2pm Integrating the Overseas Priest into the Diocese: the New Cross-Cultural Challenge - Des Cahill
4pm Aboriginal and Christian Spirituality - Louise Campbell - Aboriginal Education Officer, Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and Member of the Stolen Generation

Tomorrow: Wednesday, 30 September
11.30am Women in Australian Society and the Church - Carmel Crawford - Assistant Director of the
Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation, Melbourne, with responsibility for Parish Pastoral Resources.

Thursday, 1 October
11.30am The crux of mission – Fr Edmond Nixon CSsR

Conference Location: Conference Centre, Kurri Kurri TAFE, McLeod Road, Kurri Kurri

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