Section Archive: Feature
Bishop Vincent Long

We must die to that which is contrary to the Gospel

Church leaders offer a pastoral way forward towards healing in response to the conviction of Cardinal George Pell and the child sexual abuse crisis in the Australian Catholic Church. 

Posted on: March 19, 2019

A merciful Lent

Looking through the eyes of mercy may well be a life-changing Lenten experience, writes Good Samaritan Sister Meg Kahler SGS in our second Editor’s Pick.

Posted on: March 19, 2019

TGO’s book, film, podcast picks for summer

Fifteen of “The Good Oil’s” writers and readers offer their book, film and podcast recommendations for the summer season – recommendations they think will engage your mind and nourish your...

Posted on: December 12, 2018

On having a ‘fallow’ year

After many years in church leadership, 2018 has been a ‘fallow’ year for Sister Clare Condon, an experience she says has enriched her spiritual journey in ways unexpected.

Posted on: November 21, 2018

70 years since six Good Samaritans set sail for Nagasaki

Seventy years ago this month, six Good Samaritan Sisters set sail for Nagasaki, Japan, to respond to the need of the people there in the wake of the atomic bomb...

Posted on: October 17, 2018

My journey with Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s people need others. If you know a person with Parkinson’s remember to encourage, to extend them with your support, and to invite them out for coffee, writes Sister Eileen...

Posted on: August 15, 2018

The state of the nation starts in your street

The health of a society can best be gauged by the health of its local neighbourhoods, since that’s where we must learn to get along with people we didn’t choose...

Posted on: July 18, 2018

From strangers to cousins

It shouldn’t be a shock to see a Catholic school girl from Pymble share a meal with Muslim school girls from Prestons. But it is, writes Ashleigh Green.

Posted on: June 20, 2018

On coming home

My recent experience of moving back to Victoria after a long absence has been an experience of coming home in several ways, writes Sister Margaret Malone.

Posted on: April 18, 2018

Is there life before death? On living fully

In a reflection adapted from her new book, “How to Live”, Judith Valente considers a well-known line from “The Rule of St Benedict” which underscores a question Benedictine Sister Joan...

Posted on: March 21, 2018

How a walnut tree became my teacher

It may sound surprising, but a walnut tree I discovered four years ago is among my greatest teachers, and like all wise teachers, it has given rise to a new...

Posted on: March 21, 2018

Standing on the edge

Lent is an opportunity and a challenge to look again at my fears, at what holds me back, at what is keeping me unreceptive, says Sister Catherine Slattery.

Posted on: February 21, 2018