ABOUT NEW ANNALS
"Culture is the way of life of a people. It emerges from their deepest beliefs and finds embodiment in their most important practices. It embraces not only their material and social needs but also their religious longings that rise above earthly aims, providing a place for spiritual adoration as well as physical enjoyment in the lives of ordinary people."
- Karl Schmude
The New Annals is an Australian cultural journal of Catholic inspiration. As our title suggests, we consider our publication a bridge to the former publication affectionately dubbed 'Annals' which was published out of Sydney between 1889-2019, the longest continuous journal published in Australia.
The Annals journals (Annals Australasia and former titles) were provided by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart religious order. The Annals reported on missionary activities in the Australasian regions but grew in time to become a treasure-trove of cultural and religious records spanning commentary and analyses, collected and new artworks, cartoons, poetry, short stories, historical anecdote, educational aids and spiritual reflections.
The New Annals is an independent venture which is not affiliated with the religious order, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. We intend to continue the same missionary spirit of those same religious men and women who first brought the Catholic faith to Australian shores.
We believe Australia along with much of the West has embraced a growing collective nihilism, a willing passivity and wish to forget much of our cultural and moral heritage; as well as an ever willingness to outsource moral dictations to the new 'priests' of our contemporary culture. Cancel culture and so-called wokeness parades increasingly as the new Enlightenment of contemporary Australia, without historical reference or account against philosophical systems of thought by which these thought-trends are seriously tested. Religious, moral, cultural voices of all creeds will therefore lift the quality of thought, discussion and the commitment of truth-seekers within such a contemptuous age.
The essential aim of the New Annals is to reveal the cultural expressions of the Catholic faith as intimations of profound and lasting joy, to be a light on the hill (Matthew 5:14). We believe the gift of faith and truth revealed is needed now as always and provides a true response to the nihilistic wasteland projected of the denial of God our creator.
Who are we?
We are a group of Catholic men and women including readers and contributors of 'Annals', and experienced journalists, editors. Our affiliation stems from a shared commitment to fill the void on Catholic faith, knowledge and understanding in the context of culture.
What do we cover?
In broad terms, we cover the following:
Theology
As religious faith raises the mind and heart to God and opens up earthly existence to a divine destiny.
Philosophy
As reason gives birth to ideas that illuminate the nature and purpose of life, both temporal and transcendental
History
As a lived experience of faith throughout the ages, and embodied in such cultural forms as art, architecture and music.
Arts and Literature
As the imagination engages with reality and depicts the mystery of human life; in language, as the power and beauty of words inspire communication, and finally communion, between people.
Ethics and Society
As social conscience, consciousness and action grow or diminish in time and response to culture, religion and moral understanding.
Getting in Touch:
If you would like to find out more or would like to make an article submission, please send us an email using our contact form: