From the Editor
Peter Matheson
Those who were present at the NCP Convention in March, and those who read the extensive coverage in the last edition of The Swag could testify that there was certainly a great spirit among those who gathered. Obviously, I must have become swept up in the spirit of the occasion.
Somehow, I was convinced to put my hand up to see that The Swag would continue in some way, shape or form into the future. A somewhat daunting task, knowing how it has come to be appreciated among the membership of the NCP and lay people who have access to the magazine.
So, as I have been preparing this Spring edition, I recalled a well-known old saying that says “the more things change, the more they stay the same!” As I pondered the origin of such a statement, I popped those words into a well-known search engine.
The result did not give any clue as to the origin of the phrase, but the ‘AI overview’ suggested this: “while external appearances or circumstances may shift, the fundamental nature or underlying principles of a situation often remain constant”.
That is how I feel now, taking the editorial baton from Peter Matheson who has been a steady hand at the helm of The Swag for the last few years. He has overseen, preserved, and built upon, the legacy left by previous editors, including the late Peter Maher.
I hope that in the time I have in the role – with a subtle ‘shift in appearances and circumstances’ – the fundamental nature and underlying principles of The Swag might remain constant. A lofty ideal maybe, but one that I hope to uphold, with the support of the wider membership.
When I indicated my interest in carrying on editorial responsibility for The Swag, I was flooded with much support and offers of content. However, with the transition or ‘shift in external appearances and circumstances’ of the administrative side of the NCP, the flood became a trickle.
There have been the expected teething problems that are often associated with any transition. The National Office has been transferred from Geelong and is currently being reassembled in Toowoomba, where there will be room for an office (and home) for The Swag.
Until the offices are up and running in the way it is anticipated, a little patience may be required to see the project through to fruition. It must be remembered however, to achieve what we have in under six months, from the March Convention to now, has been amazing.
Soon we will have a fully functioning office once again. In the meantime, the Spring edition of The Swag is upon us. As I said, I have received offers of contributions into the future, which I will certainly be taking up when the infrastructure is fully in place.
To get this edition on the road, I have endeavoured to include as much as possible from submissions already received. I have supplemented these articles with others from respected sources close to the fundamental nature of The Swag and the NCP.
Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Spring edition, and others for the offer of articles into the future.
As I offer this first editorial for The Swag, we find ourselves 100 days into the pontificate of Leo XIV. I have included an article that was published a month or so following the conclave that addresses what we already know about the new pope and what we can expect from his pontificate.
There is also a book review by Kat Armas on two books that have emerged in these early days of Pope Leo’s papacy that look at his life from two different perspectives. One of the books is a spiritual and institutional biography that tracks Leo’s journey from priest to papal office.
The other comes more from a journalistic lens, tracing the moments leading up to the conclave, the Vatican dynamics that were at play and the significance of Leo’s election for the Roman Curia and the church at large. Two interesting reads from two different perspectives.
In relation to upholding the legacy to The Swag left by the editorship of Peter Matheson and others, I began this first editorial by hoping that ‘the more things change the more they stay the same’. Looking to the future, I will conclude with another phrase, from a well-known song title.
From the wisdom of Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly – who co-wrote the much loved and emotionally charged Australian ballad, “From Little Things Big Things Grow”. Let’s hope that, like green shoots that appear after winter rains, this Spring edition of The Swag will be just that.
Signalling a new era of growth and prosperity for the NCP into the future and together may we build upon the past, that we may see further.
Jamie Collins.
Until the Editorial Office of The Swag is fully operational any contributions for The Swag can be sent to my Parish
Email address: jcollins@twb.catholic.org.au
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