Figuring out Families

With this episode we start a new series of podcasts that focus in on real family and relationship issues ... And we’re pleased to be joined by marriage counsellor and family expert, Derek Boylen. Together we will explore the most pressing issues facing families today.

As well as being a relationship counsellor, Derek is the Director of the Centre for Life, Marriage and Family in the Archdiocese of Perth and is also a sessional lecturer for the University of Notre Dame in the Discipline of Counselling.  

He is extremely well qualified, and we are very pleased to have him join us again on Figuring out Families for a series of 'sessions' on relationships and family.  

Our first 'session' looks at how families deal with Covid-19.

In this Figuring Out Families podcast we talk to Kate Moriarty, a freelance writer and mother of six. She speaks about her faith and the issues she and her husband encountered home schooling their children and tuning into live streaming Masses from their TV room during the COVID-19 lockdown. Kate also passes on some valuable tips for families on ways to better organise your lives and those of your children. This is a fun and entertaining podcast.

Each morning, Josie Jones starts her day by collecting rubbish on the beach. A single mum, she has volunteered over 10,000 hours and countless dollars to improve the water quality in Victoria’s Port Phillip bay.  Personally collecting over 5.3 tonnes of rubbish from its shorelines.

Josie devotes every spare moment to stopping litter entering waterways, and engaging the community to inspire change.

A graphic designer, she has used her skills successfully to dramatically decrease cigarette butts on local streets through her 'The Only Butt' campaign.

She spoke to Figuring our Families about the work she does for the environment, how her life was impacted when her mother committed suicide, being a single mum and her faith.

We’re sure you will be inspired by this remarkable woman.

In this podcast we talk to Aria award winner Gary Pinto, an inspirational singer/songwriter, who’s been a mentor to many young Australian artists and friend to such legends as Jimmy Barnes and Guy Sebastian. 

In this podcast Gary talks about life with his family at home under coronavirus, his faith, long music career and the online music fundraiser for Caritas.  Find out more abut the concert here

This is a must listen podcast.

Over 40 million people are believed to be caught up in slavery around the world and in Australia - and unknowingly each of us may be facilitating its continuation.

In this Figuring Out Families podcast we talk to Christine Carolan, Executive Officer of the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH), an organisation dedicated to eliminating modern slavery.

Christine says ACRATH consists of many dedicated volunteers, and they have had many successes in fighting the insidious slave trade whose victims include both individuals and families.

Relationships and marriages are the topics of this episode of Figuring out Families where we welcome Derek Boylen, an experienced marriage councilor and a member of Ministry to Newly Married.

Derek shares what it takes to make a relationship work and speaks about the top three issues that couples face in their first three years.

This is a must hear podcast for all couples young and old.

Brought to you by Majellan.Media 

In this episode we caught up with Kirsty Robertson who is the new CEO at Caritas Australia via a phone hook up and talked about the work Caritas does with the most abandoned families in the  world and how important Project Compassion is to ensure they can make a real difference in the world.

Enjoy the episode.

As we approach Christmas, we turn our attention to the holy family. 

Mary and Joseph experienced problems as all couples do. We know that their marriage almost didn’t happen because Mary told Joseph she was expecting a child. After God’s intervention in a dream to Joseph, they did marry and then we hear little else about their relationship.

However we can imagine that like any marriage, there may have been times when Mary and Joseph had disagreements and faced issues as parents as they raised their child Jesus.

They probably would have dealt with those issues far more charitably than many of us would, but still, no family is completely free of difficulties.

It is in the family that we learn the skills of living together. We first learn that we are loved, understood, wanted and cared for, and in most cases it's in the family we are formed to be who we are.

So this Christmas we remember all families

It’s sad that research has found that the Christmas period is a time of the year for a spike in anxiety, depression, social isolation, as well financial and time stress.

Work-life balance, increased indulgence in food, drugs, alcohol and gambling.  Differing expectations, beliefs or values around Christmas are factors contributing to family stresses over the holiday period.

Like Mary and Joseph who endured stress finding shelter for the birth of their son Jesus, this Christmas we remember all families experiencing stress, sorrow and hardship.

Oh come Emmanuel

We pause and reflect on our own family; we thank God for the blessing, and we pray for the healing of our families’ wounds and brokenness

Oh come Emmanuel

For all families in the world. We recognise the differences that culture and beliefs bring, and we celebrate the similarities that love and understanding bring.

Oh come Emmanuel

From the Majellan Family to your family: We wish you a blessed, safe and peace filled Christmas and new year as we pray ,

The musical accompaniment in this episode is a modern take on a Christmas classic by our mission partner Niamh O’Neill and performed by the Redemptorists Youth Oceania, in New Zealand. To hear the song in its entirety and view our Christmas Card video go to the Majellan YouTube Chanel

Host: David Ahern

Produced by Majellan.media

In this Figuring Out Families podcast we talk to Gerald Bain-King, who’s about to retire after many years as a principal and vice-principal in the Catholic school system.

Gerald’s time in education has given him tremendous insights into the types of issues that affect families. In this podcast he gives advice on how parents can help their children get the best from their time at school and talks about the issues affecting students and their families today, including the proliferation of modern technology and the consequences on a child’s learning and what schools can do to assist families in need.

A must listen for parents of school-aged children.

Looking for more information visit majellan.media/guides

Our special guest on this episode of Figuring Out Families is Deacon George Piech Meat. 

After fleeing war-torn Sudan and spending two years in Egypt, Deacon George and his young family came to Australia as refugees in 2004. He has since gained a Bachelor of Theology degree and now works as a Sudanese Catholic community pastoral worker in Melbourne. 

He speaks about his life in war torn South Sudan with his wife and children, his work with Sudanese youth, and his mission to raise money for a Catholic school in South Sudan.