Articles by: Monica Dutton

With the resurrection, life is changed not ended

The Very Hungry Caterpillar was a favourite when our children were little, and now, many years later, it has delightfully reappeared at story-time with our toddler grandchildren, writes Monica Dutton.

Posted on: April 18, 2023

Listening and responding to the cry of the earth

The granting of personhood to the Whanganui River in New Zealand provides a distinctive lens through which to view our perspective on our connectedness to all creation, writes Monica Dutton.

Posted on: September 15, 2021

Green shoots bring healing and hope

As Ash Wednesday approaches, may we take a moment to contemplate our intimate connectedness to all of creation, to all of humanity and to the land, writes Monica Dutton. As...

Posted on: February 19, 2020

She is Advent

Countercultural to our twenty-first century living, Advent presents a rare and precious opportunity to prioritise ‘unproductive’ time and allow space for personal and communal spiritual encounters.

Posted on: November 20, 2019

Who is welcome at our inn?

As the Christmas season approaches, we are challenged to ask ourselves once again who is welcome at our inn. Who do we open our hearts, our homes, our communities and...

Posted on: December 13, 2017

Appreciating the gift of those who walk with us

Monica Dutton reviews the newly-released book “The Attachment: Letters from a most unlikely friendship”.

Posted on: April 18, 2017

“May those… in the shadows be seen by those in the sun”

"May those... in the shadows be seen by those in the sun"

Monica Dutton describes a 30-second encounter that, for her, held everything contained in the message of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

Posted on: March 15, 2016

To be changed forever

To be changed forever

The transformative effect of immersion trips has been well documented. Quite simply – people are changed by the experience. Immersion is an encounter of the heart, the mind and the...

Posted on: August 18, 2015

Could the ‘selfie’ help us during Lent?

The ‘selfie’ may provide yet another lens through which to view our approach to the Lenten season, writes Monica Dutton.

Posted on: February 17, 2015

Struggling with the “genuine vs fake” religious debate

Struggling with the “genuine vs fake” religious debate

After struggling with various aspects of Marian theology over the years, along with a number of dubious claims around apparitions and healings, I found myself to be a somewhat reluctant...

Posted on: May 20, 2014

A family experience of the Good Samaritan

A family experience of the Good Samaritan

The story of the compassion and support received by my family from the Good Samaritan Sisters during a very difficult time has been passed down through the generations, and has...

Posted on: February 18, 2014

Universal and enduring power of story

Universal and enduring power of story

Our need to engage with story is universal and enduring, and in essence, it is the medium that changes, rather than the message, writes Monica Dutton.

Posted on: July 16, 2013