Saint Dunstan's House Press

The following was published today in Melbourne's The Age  newspaper.  "... There are 361   COVID-19 patients   in hospital, more than double the 170 patients who were hospitalised with the virus at the same time last month. Twenty-one of those patients are in intensive care, with eight on ventilators ." The first Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were introduced 0n the 16th of March 2020, further restrictions were imposed on June 20, 2020, followed by tighter restriction imposed on 10 Melbourne postcodes and a number of public housing towers on June 30,2020, following a rise is cases.  In Victoria: On 1 June 2020 there were:   6 cases in hospital 1 case in ICU  0 cases on  a ventilator On 20  June 2020 (when increased lockdowns and restrictions came in)  there were :  5 cases in hospital 2 cases in ICU  0 cases on  a ventilator However, the number of positive tests (at June 20, 2020) were spiking. On 1 June 2024 there are:  361 cases in hospital 21 cases in ICU  8 cases

Here is the Second Essay for Australia Day The arrival of Christianity in Rome in the 4th century AD would introduce another layer of complexity to the alternate history of Australia if the Romans had landed at Botany Bay in 55 BC. The impact of Christianity on Roman culture and values, coupled with its eventual dissemination to Australia, would have profound consequences for the continent's development. I. Christian Influence in Roman Australia 1. Religious Transformation    The introduction of Christianity to the Roman colonies in Australia would lead to a transformation of religious practices. The construction of Christian churches, monasteries, and religious institutions would be an integral part of Roman settlements. Indigenous spiritual beliefs would potentially interact with and adapt to Christian teachings. 2. Cultural Syncretism    The fusion of Roman, Indigenous, and Christian elements would result in a unique blend of cultural practices, art, and beliefs. Christian symbo

  It's exactly 10 years since I used Blogger as a Social Media Platform.  In fact I thought the site had been deleted long ago. I am pleased to have found it, complete with the archive from 2006. From 2014, until  recently,  I kept a website as well as the normal SM Chanels of:   X (formerly Twitter)  Facebook Instagram With the current flavour for small instant Reels - rather than discourses with meaningful interaction  - I have retired the website and  returned to the old, yet tested, Blogger.  Looking back,  I commenced on Blogger in 2006 when I joined the staff at the Cathedral and was licensed as Bishop's Chaplain. My contributions continued through my major car accident and unto  my leaving the Diocese in 2014 when I returned to a  full-time position in health, establishing my own Practice in 2018.  There is a wealth of old-stuff that I have temporarily disabled until I have a chance to edit and weed-out the dross. There are sermons, reflections/comments, original hymn

The first essay, below,  imagines the Romans coming to Australia, rather than conquering Britannia in 55BC. The second follows on and includes the impact of Christianity in the Roman Empire from the 4th century onwards. Title: "Australia: What If the Romans Had Landed at Botany Bay in 55 BC?"  Introduction The history of Australia is one filled with unique and fascinating events. From the arrival of Indigenous peoples over 65,000 years ago to the British colonization in the 18th century, the continent has seen a rich tapestry of cultures, explorations, and developments. However, what if we were to imagine a different scenario, where the Romans, known for their imperial conquests and advancements, had arrived in Australia's Botany Bay in 55 BC? How would this alternative historical narrative impact the development of the land we now call Australia? In this essay, we will explore the hypothetical scenario of Roman arrival and its potential consequences for Australia