As so often at the beginning of the year, there is lots on. Check 'What's On' and feel free to let us know if your school is doing something that would interest or benefit other RE teachers or if there are particular topics or areas of RE you would like to see explored in RESource. The 'Contact us' button is on the bottom of the front page.

Catholic Education Week activities including the opening address by Dr Frank Moloney SDB on St Paul on March 19 at ACU (booking required through the Catholic Education Week 2009 link in Religious Education section of CEVN) and the Visual Arts Exhibition at the VAS Gallery 430 Albert St East Melbourne 16th-20 March.

Praying in the manner of St Paul, Fr David Hofman. Carmelite Centre, Middle Park, March 14, 10am-4pm. Contact Annemarie 94123330 or office@evangelisation.org

16 March, 6-7.30pm, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
Who am I? Religion, identity and public life
Stephen Crittenden, Religious Affairs Journalist, ABC and Waleed Aly, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University

Recently Rachel Kohn conducted a very interesting interview with John O'Malley SJ who has just brought out a new book on the Second Vatican Council. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Pope John XXIII's surprise announcing of the Council in January1959.

Teachers TV is a UK site with many great downloadable videos to support many subjects, RE included. Register free and start exploring the Religious Education section today

Darwin and the theory of evolution are going to be widely discussed in this 150th anniversary year. Despite headlines like this: Vatican buries the hatchet with Charles Darwin, an entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913 shows that the Church has had a more nuanced attitude to evolution than is usually imagined. This blog is also worth a look.

One of the best comments on the recent controversy in the Brisbane Church is by Michael Mullins and Andy Hamilton SJ. Their article helps us understand the points of view of both the Archbishop and the Parish.

Have you seen this student social justice video on the very useful Damaris site. Don't forget the RESource object on incorporating music and popular culture in RE either.

The sackings in the clothing industry as a result of the economic downturn show that it is often the most vulnerable workers who suffer first.

Prayer and reflection for the season of Lent are suitable for staff and student use. See also the introduction to the Stations of the Cross in the Worship section.

There is food for thought in this report of an English nurse who offered to pray with a patient in an English hospital. At what point does legitimate expression of faith become 'proselytism'?