Category: Social Justice and the Environment

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FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEGISLATION OF ABORTION IN VICTORIA—SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

Where do we go from here? What can we do?
Come to St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne.
Pray for better solutions for mothers and babies and for an end to abortion.
Be inspired to change the culture, one person at a time.
Events: 11.00am Mass St Patrick’s Cathedral; 12.30pm Prayer Service; 1.30pm Light Lunch/Refreshments Cardinal Knox Centre; 2.00pm Conference Cardinal Knox Centre—be inspired by Dr Eamonn Mathieson (Catholic Doctors Association of Victoria) Bernadette Black (Barnardo’s Mother of the Year 2009) Gwen Winterscheidt & Rosemary Woods (John Paul II Centre for Family & Life).

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SOCIAL JUSTICE

Calling for the reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act in the N.T.—what the Victorian Council of Churches (VCC) said last week: ‘We acknowledge the goodwill of governments in attempting to address decades of neglect in the areas of Aboriginal policy, planning and service delivery. However the VCC also believes it is the duty and responsibility of government to ensure that legislation, policies and actions comply in all respects with obligations to which Australia is signatory or for which it has declared its support. The Executive of the Victorian council of Churches calls upon Prime Minister Rudd to ensure that Professor Anaya’s report will be viewed as a valuable contribution to expert policy advice’. We invite you to join parish Social Justice Group members in writing to PM Rudd.
Details: http://www.socialpolicyconnections.com.au

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ADVANCE NOTICE—ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABORTION LAW REFORM BILL

The parishes of the Archdiocese of Melbourne will be asked to join with His Grace, Archbishop Hart, on Sunday 25 October in marking the Anniversary of the Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008.
Archbishop Hart will celebrate Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 11.00am followed by a Prayer Service at 12.30pm.
How can you make a difference?
Hear Australia’s most inspiring speakers at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne at 2.00pm on 25 October .
Further info contact Marcia from the Respect Life Office email: mriordan@jp2institute.org

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CHILD PROTECTION SUNDAY—13 SEPTEMBER 2009

Today, Sunday, is the conclusion of Child Protection Week. The theme for this year is Promoting Safety for all in our Parish. The aim is to ensure that all communities and organisations within the church are safe and enriching environments for people of all ages, with special concern for children, young people and vulnerable adults. A prayer card from the Australian Bishops Conference is available today—one for each home.

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THE LEPROSY MISSION AUSTRALIA SUNBURY ACTION GROUP

you are invited to a Soup & Sandwich luncheon on Thu 17 September at noon at St Andrew’s Uniting Church Hall, cnr Barkly & Brook Streets, Sunbury. Admission $8.00. Come and hear the latest from the Leprosy Mission who are currently working to provide much needed equipment and facilities for the Anandaban Hospital, Nepal.

RSVP 08.09.09 to Jocelyn 9740 5948.

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ABORIGINAL SUNDAY

This year’s theme is ‘Honouring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth’. Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Melbourne has since 2001 been nurturing Aboriginal children by assisting families to financially maintain their children at Victorian Catholic Schools through the ‘Opening the Doors Foundation’.

The foundation began supporting 32 students in 2001 and this year supports 400.

Enquiries: 9443 9070.

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NAIDOC WEEK KOORIE MARKET

5 July 10.00am— 4.00pm Northcote Town Hall.
Celebrating and promoting indigenous arts, culture and business. Locally made paintings, handcrafts, jewellery, bags, scarves, food, clothing and much, much more.
Performance by Deadly Koorie musicians and singers.

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NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP

Reconciliation Week 27 May—3 June. Last Tuesday 26 May we celebrated Sorry Day. In future this day will be known as the Anniversary Day for the Bringing them Home Report which was tabled in Parliament in 1997. 13 February will be the new Sorry Day commemorating the National Apology of 13 February 2008. Today (31 May) at 11.00am at The Shrine there will be the annual Honouring Indigenous Men and Women Shrine of Remembrance Service.

‘Samson & Delilah’, a film by Aboriginal Director, Warwick Thornton, picked up the Audience Award at the Adelaide Festival, where it received a 5 minute standing ovation. The film is inspired by Thornton’s own experiences growing up on the streets of Alice Springs.

On the local scene: a May 26 event was organised by the newly formed Sunbury Indigenous Group. Members of this group have been invited to meet with the Social Justice Group to see how we can work together to support the Aboriginal people living in Sunbury today. Prior to our recognition of the traditional owners in 2002, we made contact with the late Norm Hunter, Wurundjeri Elder, who shared with us his own story and that of his ancestors on whose land we now live. We now have Aboriginal people who are living here in 2009 who we can learn from and share the journey of reconciliation.

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RECOVERY

(a newsletter of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Ballarat & Sandhurst):
For all the latest information on Bushfire recovery visit HERE

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Respect Life Sunday

Today is Respect Life Sunday with the theme ‘Defending Conscience and Protecting Life’. Let us continue to pray for all those whose right to freedom of conscience is under attack, especially for those with sincerely held beliefs about the taking of innocent human life.
Prayer Cards and pamphlets are available at the Welcome Desk in St Anne’s Church foyer and at O.L.M.C. Church. Please take a copy home with you.