…The seed for what has developed into a vital resource of the spirituality centre, the library, had already been planted before the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. With the aim of providing the possibility for ongoing spiritual nourishment to those in rural areas, Sr Elaine asked her congregation to donate relevant and contemporary spirituality books, which they were no longer using, to build up a small library resource. … Read more about Sychar House of Prayer and Spirituality’s journey on page 10.

In 2024, St Mary’s School Warwick has celebrated a significant part of our story. Over 150 years ago, a small school was starting to grow in St Mary’s Church Warwick. Under the guidance of Fr O’Reilly, teacher Miss O’Mara, assisted by Miss O’Brien, later Mrs Coman, and Miss Minnie McEvoy, later Mrs Oxenham, conducted lessons. This small school was attended by both boys and girls and met the needs of Warwick’s Catholic children. Classes had grown so much during the next seven years that a new direction was needed. On 29 October 1874 the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Warwick. … Read more about some of the people who are part of the rich history of St Mary’s Warwick on page 26.

In 1989, then Diocesan Archivist Br Leo Ansell released the book “Stones That Speak”, which shares the history of St Patrick’s Cathedral through the lens of the early church and the episcopates of our first four bishops. In the late 1980s, the cathedral would have been glistening, still glowing from the renovations of the 1970s. Indeed, photos in the book show a beautiful, bright interior of warm cream walls, deep red carpet and polished marble. What is not visible in these photos is the damage already happening by some of the well-meaning restorations. … Read more about the current restoration work carried out on the exterior of St Patrick’s Cathedral on page 4.