Learning to cultivate the gift of solitude
Solitude doesn’t just happen. Like a garden, it needs cultivating. It requires a tolerance for time spent alone, a tolerance for silence and stillness, writes Congregational Leader Patty Fawkner SGS.
A precious encounter enables me to reclaim God as Father
I endeavour to avoid referring to God as Father, but the memory of a past experience has caused me to rethink my relationship with God as Father, writes Patty Fawkner.
Saying Yes to the Voice will herald a better future for us all
Tanya Plibersek, my local federal member, recently invited her constituents to a Community Forum to discuss the Voice to Parliament. I was keen to attend, writes Congregational Leader Patty Fawkner.
Remembering George Pell
Like many, I was stunned to learn of the death of George Pell last month. The polarising impact of this conservative culture warrior continues beyond the grave, writes Patty Fawkner.
Celebrating the wonder and the mystery of Christmas
Christmas, the feast of the Incarnation, the feast which celebrates the Messiah coming into our messy word, is also a feast celebrating me and my humanity, writes Patty Fawkner SGS.
In developing diversity competence skills we make space for difference
As the cultural environment is enriched by diversity and diminished by uniformity, so the glue that binds us together is honouring and understanding our differences, writes Sister Patty Fawkner SGS.
Bearing witness is intrinsic to the path of reconciliation and healing
The First Nations Voice to Parliament is an opportunity for us to bear witness to the crimes, the cruelty and misguided policies of the past, writes Sister Patty Fawkner SGS.
It takes courage for us to be loving critics
“Pity the leader caught between unloving critics and uncritical lovers.” These words were spoken by John Gardner, a senior government official in US President Lyndon Johnson’s administration, writes Patty Fawkner.
Loving God, teach us the prayer of neighbour love
Through prayer, we stand in solidarity with our neighbour. When we pray the Our Father, we don’t fly solo, we pray it on behalf of humankind, writes Patty Fawkner SGS.
What is it about women and the Church?
During the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of the Australian Catholic Church, we learnt from experience that synodality is not for the faint hearted, writes Patty Fawkner SGS.
Benedictine Life: A Vision Unfolding
The Benedictine Federation of St Scholastica recently celebrated its centenary by holding a Colloquium. Patty Fawkner SGS was invited to present a paper entitled ‘What we stand for – Witness’.
Independents change the game through listening, dialogue and consultation
Following last month’s Federal election, are there lessons for the “official Church” in the rise of the independents who listened to the concerns of their communities, asks Patty Fawkner SGS.