For Australian Catholics this month has been painful and challenging as revelations of the Victorian Enquiry into Sexual Abuse came to light.  Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Michael Mullins express two responses while Kevin Foley explains why he thinks the Royal Commission will be expensive but ineffectual. But all are unanimous in their desire that those so wounded by abuse should achieve help and healing.

Year of Faith Launch. You are invited to the Cardinal Knox Centre on December 11 at 5.30 as Archbishop Denis Hart inaugurates the Year of Faith in Melbourne. St Francis Choir will sing. Refreshments available. RSVP: evangelisation@cam.org.au  

Sacred Art in the Crypt: St Mary's, Howard St., West Melbourne from December 8-16. 11.00 - 5.00 daily.

Lent is early next year so the Diocesan Lent/Easter Seminar will be held at the Thomas Carr Centre on February 9. Contact Suzanne Hermon (9265761) to express interest in attending.

Dialogue Australasia Conference Adelaide in July 8-10 2013: The unique role of RE in developing and nurturing Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Behaviour and Intercultural Understanding. More information: www.dialogueaustralasia.org

The Carmelite Centre in Middle Park is offering a few Advent/Christmas events during December and you can also look at what is on offer next year.

At this time of the year Advent and the approaching feast of Christmas are to the fore of everyone's mind. As well as RESource's Advent Prayer check the recommended videos in the 'Have you seen?' part of enews below and this column by Fr Ron Rolheiser.

This set of Advent videos is beautiful and inspiring and could contribute well to staff and student reflection this Advent.

The Dialogue Australasia Network website is full of good things to explore and also contains selected articles from its excellent print journal which is well worth its subscription price. The current edition's lead article discusses 'Teaching the problem of Evil'.

Finally the ACRATH site which campaigns against human trafficking and all kinds of human exploitation is constantly updated and well worth a look.

Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth and her Magnificat is recounted in the gospel of Advent 4 this year. Check RESource's reflection on the Magnificat (and the added resources on Mary) at this time of the year when her story is before us so vividly.

Two recent articles indicate that euthanasia is still a pressing issue. An Australian one suggests that there is a new push to overturn the ban on euthanasia in Australia while a British report comments on an enquiry as whether some people are being 'helped' to die as a result of a new care pathway.

In 40 years time Australia will surely be tendering apologies to the descendants of people treated so inhumanely by government policies as present day refugees are. Meanwhile?