Category: Social Justice and the Environment

Poverty ends life, inhibits education and denies people basic privileges which we take for granted. It attacks the God-given dignity of the human person.
Our faith compels us to take a stand against poverty in all its manifestations. As Catholics we have a rich social doctrine and moral teaching which binds us to respond to the cry of the poor.
Anti-poverty Week starts on 16 October until 22 October. Archbishop Denis Hart is encouraging parishes to get involved in local activities to bring dignity to those affected by poverty. St Vincent de Paul is a major agency who make a huge difference to the lives of so many. St Vincent de Paul currently needs help from volunteers able to help with the vital work they do. If you have any time available to help out as a volunteer, training will be provided by the friendly volunteers at the Sunbury office located at 156 O’Shannessy St, Sunbury. Contact Anthony Rocco for further info on 0416 008 967.

 

Is there a solution?
Rerum Novarum Oration 2011 Tuesday 11 October 7pm at Central Hall, 20-22 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFMConv, who arrived on Australia’s shores as an asylum seeker, will examine this issue through  the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. The Official Response to the Oration will be given by the Hon. Malcolm Fraser, who was instrumental in formulating an immigration policy that enabled the compassionate and orderly integration of asylum seekers and refugees.
RSVP 7 Oct 9926 5727 or justice@cam.org.au.

The march is being held on Saturday 8 March at 2pm starting from Cnr Claredon St & Wellington Pd, East Melbourne to the steps of Parliament. Join this peaceful witness to life, and hear inspirational speakers and music with a message of courage and hope for the babies and mothers. More info at www.marchforthebabies.org.au.

Thank you for giving generously to the Apostleship of the Sea. $783.60 was raised. The Priests Retirement Fund gratefully received $1369.10.

The Sunbury Community is hosting  its own ‘Light the Night’ Walk

Wednesday  28th September 2011 at  6pm

Sunbury Village Green
Corner of O’Shanassy and Brook Streets, Sunbury Victoria.
Melways Ref 382 E4

What is Light the Night? – Around 40,000 Australian families face the challenges of leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancer / disorders every day. And every 46 minutes, another person is diagnosed.

Light the Night is a memorable and uplifting event to give these people hope for a brighter future. The Leukaemia Foundation is calling on all angels – people who like to brighten the lives of others to Light the Night with lanterns of love, life and hope for people with blood cancer. Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the live music after the walk. Food and drinks can be purchased after the walk. Cost is $20 per adult, children under 12 are free.

http://www.sunfest.org.au/

Sunday 25 September is Social Justice Sunday. Please note the upcoming launch of the 2011 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. “Building Bridges– Not Walls. Prisons and the justice system.” is being presented by Fr Joe Caddy and Sr Mary O’Shannessy at 12 noon Thursday 15 September at Cathedral Room, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne. RSVP: justice@cam.org.au or 9926 5710 by Monday 12 September.

September 11 marks the end of Child Protection Week. The theme for this year is Safeguarding Children and Young People. We fly white balloons to acknowledge what our parish is doing to provide a safe environment. Joining with others in this awareness raising campaign we proclaim to our parish and to society at large our determination to protect young people and to stop child abuse wherever it occurs.

Thank you again for being so generous. The special collection for Migrants and Refugees raised $979.15.

Caritas East Africa Appeal raised $2304.80 and CatholicCare raised $1379.20. Thank you so much for your generous support of these very important charities. Many people will receive much needed assistance with these funds.

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEK
FAREWELL GIFT FOR SR MAUREEN AND SR MARY

SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND
NATIONAL DAY FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

The Foundation Was formed 10 years ago to help keep Koorie kids in an education of their choice. Birthday Celebrations and Oration with special guest speaker Anita Heiss will be held at Genazzano FCJ College on 4th August 2011. All monies raised will be donated to the Foundation. Tickets$ $10 can be ordered through www.trybooking.com.au/Rou by 1August

…Social Justice Group

WHAT DOES ABORIGINAL SPIRITUALITY HAVE TO OFFER AUSTRALIA
Time, or rather timelessness, is another component of Aboriginal life and spirituality.  Time to the European mind is a commodity to be used.  For the Aboriginal  person, time  is  the present – the given moment is what is important.  Aboriginal people are comfortable waiting for a better moment, changing plans, going with what is happening. The greatest gift Aboriginal people have to offer is the gift of Dadirri, that is, the gift described as ‘inner deep listening and quiet still awareness’.  There is  a patience  in  the listening, patience for the right time.  In the listening comes strength and renewal.  Our experience of wind is varied, from the parching winds of inland Australia  to  the  cool winds that signal a break in the weather.  The Aboriginal people are attuned to these changes, always patiently waiting and watching for signs of change.  We use wind as a symbol of the movement  of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Job 7,7; Mt 11,7).  The formation of stars we call the Southern Cross is significant in the Southern Hemisphere.  As it journeys across the night sky it is a symbol of our life journey through the Paschal Mystery of birth, death and resurrection (Dan 12,3; Mt 2,2)…..Parish Social Justice Group

Aboriginal law is based on wholeness and right relationships.  All that has life was created to live in harmony.  They further believe this harmony is kept in balance when persons, species and elements fulfil their purpose and live out their responsibilities. Aboriginal people graciously share their story and culture with all people and in return we respect their Ancient Dreaming which has existed for over 40,000 years.  We respect that which has gone before the birth of Christ our Redeemer and respond to the call to be united in love as one human family.  For thousands of years the Aboriginal people used a message stick as a way of communicating across country. Today the Aboriginal Catholics carry the Message Stick with the bible, symbolising the respect for cultural differences when spreading the Good News.  The Message Stick is a sacred symbol of the Aboriginal people and is a powerful symbol of reconciliation, forgiveness, love, hope and peace, and is only used when the Proclamation of The Word is made…..Social Justice Group

People  are a priority in Aboriginal relationships.  Aboriginal people live a life of mutual indebtedness to one another.  Everyone is seen in kinship, as family, with varying degrees of obligation, according to the degree of relationship.  Like the kingdom Jesus preached, all are included, all are important, all are looked after.  Possessions are things to be shared among people.  Every person is of importance regardless of position in the community.  Older people are respected for their wisdom.  Younger people are respected as the future.  All people are accepted as they are.  Hospitality to one another is considered a pleasure and a responsibility.  Each  person  is  seen as valuable, with a contribution to make.  Aboriginal society values consensus.  Everyone is listened to, then decisions are made when everyone agrees.   Coolamons are used for cradling babies and for gathering food and water.  In Aboriginal celebrations coolamons are used for baptism, holding the bread of Eucharist or water for sprinkling (Mt 25,4;Acts 9,15).  Coolamons are  also used in Advent.  Placed  face down at the beginning of Advent  waiting  for Christmas Eve when they are turned over to receive the Christ child.  These are the signs and symbols of this land
…..Social Justice Group

The Social Justice Group was formed in 1999 and during the Jubilee Year (2000) we focused on acknowledging the Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of this land.  Following contact with a local Wurundjeri elder we passed on the story of this area and in 2002 the parish made a formal acknowledgement.  The plaque stands between St Anne’s Church and the parish office.  We present Aboriginal aspects in the liturgy on Sorry Day and Aboriginal Sunday.  We place notices in the newsletter regarding other social matters as they come to our attention and we welcome anyone wishing to join us in this work.  Over the coming weeks we will share some insights into Aboriginal Spirituality.  Further info. contact Joan Koren 9744 3357.