Category: Better World

Building a better world by building a better me

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AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC YOUTH FESTIVAL……NORTHERN PARISHES

A number of young people from the northern region of the Archdiocese have decided to work together to take a combined group to the Festival as a ‘Northern Region Collective’, and would like to welcome other young people from parishes in the region. This provides an opportunity for young people from Our Lady of Mt Carmel’s to meet other young people, make new friends and enjoy the Festival in a supported group environment.

There are two ways of registering:

· Participants aged over 18 can simply register themselves individually. The Northern Region Collective organisers will then contact them with information about transportation and accommodation. Click here ‘ACYF – Northern Region Collective Information – Individual Registration Information‘  for more information.

· Participants aged under 18 will need to be accompanied by a leader from your parish and registered as a parish group. This leader will work with the Northern Region Collective Organisers on the logistical planning for their group. Click here ‘ACYF – Northern Region Collective Information’ for more information. Registration and consent forms are also available to assist your leader.

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LATEST NEWSLETTER FROM INDONESIA

We have recently received from LAP the newsletter setting out the activities they are undertaking in the first half of this year as part of their ongoing care for the children living with HIV AIDS.

Note that LAP are now caring for 95 HIV children, with over 20% now reaching their teenage years and undertaking life-skill education provided by LAP.

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OUR OVERSEAS AID PROJECT LAP (CHILDREN OF THE RAINBOW LANTERN)

OUR OVERSEAS AID PROJECT LAP

ONE CHILD – ONE LIFE

From 1987 to September 2016, the Ministry of Health recorded the cumulative number of HIV infections in Indonesia as many as 219 036 cases. Meanwhile, the cumulative number of HIV infections in 2010-2016 are as many as 184 779 cases, in which 13 263 (7.18%) of whom were children aged 0-19 years (P2P DG, Ministry of Health, 2016). This number will continue to grow if prevention of transmission is not performed. HIV prevention programs have mainly focused on key populations such as injecting drug users, sex workers and other high-risk groups. Children born with HIV are often missed in the government program, but the child is a traveling source of HIV transmission in the high-risk group.

The Ministry of Health is strongly committed to tackling HIV and AIDS. One of the efforts is through the provision of Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARV) for people with HIV, including children. “Up to the month of November 2016 recorded 74 879 people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment in Indonesia and about 4% of them are children,” said Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Direct, dr.Wiendra Waworuntu, Kes. This is also supported by David Bridger, UNAIDS Country Director for Indonesia, said: “If children have access to proper treatment, children can grow and develop properly, like the other kids.”

The issue of HIV, both in adults and children, is often seen as a health issue alone. Though there are many aspects in life that are ultimately affected. The challenges faced in addition to health problems is access to education. Discrimination often occurs in the school environment so that the child had to go out and look for a new school. To cope, this should be considered together with a platform and framework that enables a sustainable cross-sectoral involvement, as submitted by the Director General of Culture Ministry of Education and Culture, Hilmar Farid.

Another challenge faced is the parenting issue that is the responsibility of a guardian such as grandparents or other family members. Ineligibility for shelter and a lack of knowledge about parenting also have an impact on the quality of life of children with HIV. To realize the quality of life for children with HIV, the important role and commitment of various parties including the government and the public is needed. Currently, services and comprehensive programs that serves children with HIV are still few in number. Nahar, SH, MSi., Director of Social Rehabilitation for Children Ministry of Social RI said that the involvement of the Social Worker in the prevention, protection and social rehabilitation for children with HIV should continue to be pursued through partnership with community organizations or institutions that have a concern in the protection of children with HIV.

Through a photo exhibition “One Child One Life Projekt” Rainbow Kids Lantern (LAP) is opening so that the public can learn more about the lives of children with HIV. The exhibition is expected to be the initial idea for all parties to be involved in programs and support services for children with HIV. In addition as a means of advocacy and education to raise public awareness, it also exhibits an appreciation for the volunteers, the community, government, and all parties that already provide support to LAP in assisting children with HIV in Jakarta.

LAP was established in 2009 upon initiation Prof. Irwanto, Ph.D., to address the challenges that exist in the community about HIV-infected children. LAP is part of a community service unit under the auspices of HIV Research Centre (PPH) Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia. As the mentoring program of children with HIV in Indonesia, LAP aims to improve the quality of life of children with HIV. In addition, LAP also educates the public and the government to take part in efforts to reduce the adverse effects on the child. Through home-based care program, LAP want to make sure that every child has greater access to family care, health facilities, education, and does not experience discrimination in society. This effort was supported by the National AIDS Commission (NAC) through funding Indonesian Partnership Fund (IPF) for 1.5 years. Since 2011, LAP gain support from various public and private groups to this day

LAP is currently assisting 100 children in Jakarta and surrounding areas. LAP Team consists of permanent staff, part-time, and volunteers with various backgrounds who work wholeheartedly. Without the help of donors, volunteers, communities, the government and all those who have provided support for LAP, this program cannot continue.

In the end, the support given by all parties is very meaningful. Whatever its form, the support is like a beacon for the life of children with HIV to experience a better quality of life and have a better hope in the future, just like the other children.

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NEWS FROM OUR OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN PROJECT

A post on the Facebook page of our overseas project “Lentera Anak Pelangi” about a program launched to get everyone HIV tested so all can know their status. It is a twitter challenge #sayaberani (English=I DARE YOU!) that each person can send to all their followers.

i-am-brave

From Natasya Sitorus (Advocacy Manager)
Fight for the fulfillment of human rights of children with HIV. Participate in the challenge #sayaberani (I DARE YOU!)
80% of women / mothers whose children are in the program run by Rainbow Kids Lantern never followed the Prevention Program of Mother to Child Transmission (PPIA). Not at all. They are not lazy or can not access the service. This happens because they do not know they are infected with HIV until the onset of illness when their children are aged between 2 months and 5 years.

Doctors became suspicious of symptoms in the majority of children found with HIV during HIV testing in children. 99% of cases of children diagnosed with HIV under 5 years of age are infected from their mothers, either while still in the womb, at birth, or breastfeeding.

If all women planning a pregnancy can know their HIV status, then of course they can follow Prevention Program of Mother to Child Transmission (PPIA) from the beginning of pregnancy and reduce the risk of transmission to their children.

So! I challenge you to take the challenge #SayaBerani (I DARE YOU!), a campaign to encourage as many people to know their status through HIV testing. HIV testing is not a terrible thing. Know our status, protect couples, protect our families, protect our children.

HIV testing and PPIA is also a real effort implicitly mandated by Indonesian Law No. 35 of 2014 regarding Child Protection. Article 46 states that the State, Government, Local Government, Family, and Parent shall see to it that children born to avoid the diseases that threaten the survival and / or cause disability.

For more information on our parish project, click here to go to the page on our parish website.

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30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II’S ADDRESS TO ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II’S ADDRESS TO ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

This anniversary will be celebrated on 27 November. This week our parish will remember the importance of this visit to the Australian Catholic Community when Saint Pope John Paul II reminded us of the importance of Unity and Reconciliation. Quote from Saint John Paul 2nd in Alice Springs in November in 1986 ….

“You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.”

These words were spoken to the Aboriginal Catholics in Alice Springs 30 years ago, but could equally apply to us all right now in 2016.
One way our parish took heed of his words was that following the Jubilee Year, a small group commenced a discussion in the Parish on the importance of installing a Plaque acknowledging the aboriginal people who lived in this part of the country where we now worship.
By popular vote among our Parishioners, the decision was made to install a plaque and on the wording to be used.
We shared an amazing celebration at the blessing and unveiling of the Plaque on the 28th July 2002.
Please take the time today to pass by the Rock….our garden around the Rock is looking sad, notwithstanding our best efforts…..perhaps someone has a suggestion on how it can be replanted and child proofed!
You may also like to view our Message Stick on display in the glass cabinet behind the font.
It was purchased from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (founded following the Papal Visit) and symbolises the sharing of cultural knowledge.
The paintings displayed on the back wall of the Church were prepared and painted by the teachers and students of our Confirmation class of 2001. These children met with Vickie Clark who was the Co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Vic. to discuss Aboriginal Spirituality and gain an understanding of the links between Confirmation, ( Christian Initiation) and Aboriginal Initiation .

……Kevin McIntosh

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LIFE, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY SUNDAY

LIFE, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY SUNDAY

Every year, the Archdiocese of Melbourne celebrates Life, Marriage & Family Sunday in October. Focusing on respect for human life and the family, resources are produced to positively contribute to the conversations in our community.
This year, Life, Marriage & Family Sunday is celebrated with the theme – Walking with Families – Pope Francis & the Art of Accompaniment. Resources developed focus on Pope Francis’ recent exhortation on the family – Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). As well as a booklet, a series of six videos have been produced featuring married, consecrated and single people. Each share their insights and experience of the mission of the family, hospitality, prayer and accompaniment.

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PARISH DANCE IN AID OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH AIDS IN INDONESIA

PARISH DANCE

The Ripchords will be back at the parish Centre on Saturday 25 June with their great music and will get you up dancing all night! Cost is $20 per head. BYO basket supper. All profit goes to LAP Project. Make a table and join in the fun. Enquiries to Cathie on 0405 380 560

So instead of just putting your donation towards the care of the poorest of the poor children in Indonesia (and we cannot say enough how much we appreciate your generosity), come along and help show our Sunbury Parish Community in action in a great cause and do something for yourself at the same time (have fun, that is).

Below is another clip from The Ripchords playing at Pascoe Vale RSL March 2016

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CATHOLICCARE

CATHOLICCARE provides programs and services to parishioners, their families, friends and community networks.  A new poster on the noticeboard is themed “I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10) Please visit www.ccam.org.au for more information.

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THANK YOU FROM THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH ON THEIR CENTENARY IN SUNBURY 21st FEBRUARY 2016

100 YEARS OF THE  SISTERS PRESENCE  IN SUNBURY Congratulations and grateful thanks to Fr. Kevin, Sr. Jose, the organizing committee, many helpers and parishioners for all the preparations for the outstanding celebrations on this occasion. We felt very humbled when Fr. Kevin, after such an inspiring homily asked for a standing ovation. The welcome we received from everyone gave us such a feeling of being  “at home” among such a wonderful group of people. We were very impressed with the work and thought that went into the “Honour Board”. The footprints representing the journey of the Sisters over 100 years enabled us to appreciate the Sisters who walked this journey before us. Mary MacKillop’s Spirit is truly alive there. In Mary’s words “We have much for which to be thankful.” 1873. ………...Sisters Maureen Cahir, Mary Rowan, Margaret Brown, Rosalie Corrigan.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DIAMOND JUBILEES
Congratulations to Sisters Maureen Cahir and Mary Rowan, on your 60 years of religious profession as a Sister of St Joseph. Both of you have been among us over these sixty years at various times living out the charism of your founders St Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods. May the Lord continue to bless you.

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SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND….FINAL 2016 REPORT FROM L.A.P. IN JAKARTA

NOTICE: As part of the Parish’s ongoing commitment to support the LAP Team caring for children living with HIV AIDS in Jakarta, a fundraising appeal will be held at all Masses on the weekend of the 18/19 February. We thank you for your continued support of this worthy cause. Mick Hetherington, Frank O’Connor, Julie Reddan and Tony Kiley.

thankyou_parishyouthstanne

Firstly a thank-you to St Anne’s Parish Youth Group for their support which culminated in a donation from money raised by the Parish Christmas Dinner Dance.

Secondly there is a report  on their activities over the previous twelve months. If you read it you will find out about St Anne’s students have been interacting with the LAP children. Just click on the link below.

newsletter-lap-december