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Love Your Neighbour
Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal was launched on Ash Wednesday, March 1.
Caritas is sharing stories from people in the Philippines, Timor Leste, Indigenous Australia, Vietnam, and Fiji. They show how donations to Project Compassion can help people build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities throughout the world.
In Adelaide you can get active this Lent and raise money for Project Compassion by joining Fr Charles Lukati and the Project Compassion team in running or walking the Sunday Mail Bay-City Fun Run on March 19. For more information contact Angela Hart at the Adelaide Caritas Australia Office on 8210 8172 or via this email:
You can find more on Caritas here.
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Purple Day
Throughout March, communities around the world are raising awareness of epilepsy, concluding in Purple Day on March 26 (International Epilepsy Awareness Day).
Supporters will wear purple and hold events to raise funds and awareness of the condition that will affect more than 800,000 Australians in their lifetime, and 50 million people worldwide.
New research by Epilepsy Action Australia shows that only 28 per cent of people are aware of the world’s most common serious brain disorder.
“The research shows that epilepsy is not a disease or condition where there is high awareness,” said Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia. “This lack of awareness greatly impacts people living with epilepsy in a number of ways….it perpetuates the many myths about epilepsy, which can lead to discrimination and stigma against people living with the disorder. People fear what they don’t understand.”
You can support Purple Day during March by simply making a donation or getting involved here.
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Resources for parishes & schools
Australian Catholics, publisher of the Australian Jesuits’ national magazine, has developed two weekly e-newsletters comprising articles and resources specifically catered to people in Catholic schools and parishes across Australia.
“We’ve been listening to teachers and parish administrators for the last few years, looking at the resources they need to better support them in their work,” says Australian Catholics editor Michael McVeigh.
The first edition of the Parish Life e-newsletter went out this week. Designed for parish administrators, the new e-newsletter provides news, homily notes, prayers of the faithful and other resources to assist them in providing support for their parish websites, newsletters and liturgy resources for the coming week.
Meanwhile, another new e-newsletter, Catholic Teacher, was also launched this month. Targeted at teachers and others in faith formation ministry, Catholic Teacher provides reflections and activities for the classroom, school liturgies, a Catholic teacher calendar and other resources for schools.
Sign up for the weekly Parish Life e-newsletter here. and for the weekly Catholic Teacher e-newsletter here.
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Students share the love
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, students from Nazareth Catholic Community’s Findon Campus (primary students) began their collection of ‘Pencil Cases of Love’ for students in Timor-Leste.
Jane Watson and Nicole Banfield, the two Reception teachers who were involved in setting up the project, explained that every year Nazareth Catholic Community tried to find simple ways that their students could think of others less fortunate than themselves.
“At the core of our Catholic faith is a call to social justice, which we want to instil in all students. This year we decided to connect our donations of love to Valentine’s Day, encouraging all students to donate a ‘Pencil Case of Love’ to our friends in Timor Leste,” said Jane.
“As a community we were able to spread love in a meaningful way. An understanding of social justice is gained when the students see images and hear stories from our outreach volunteers who personally deliver these donations to several schools in Timor Leste.”
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Art installation
St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral held an art exhibition by artist Michael Henderson as part of the Adelaide Fringe.
The art installation, which was deliberately called 'Untitled' to enable visitors to engage in their own way, was held from March 1-4.
“The foundation of my work, like Untitled,” says Michael, “is asking good, clear questions. Questions that combine to invite imagination, mystery, investigation, allowing the viewer to provide the answers. Good art should always do this in my opinion.”
Michael said he was very thankful for the Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese and his own Baptist Church in Sydney for helping him bring the installation together. For more information visit Michael's website.
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Pope in historic visit
Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit an Anglican church in Rome when he prayed side by side with Bishop Robert Innes at All Saints Church in central Rome on February 26.
The Pope said Anglicans and Catholics must be “always more liberated from our respective prejudices from the past”.
Bishop Innes welcomed Pope Francis and praised him for his solidarity with refugees and migrants.
Anglicans split from Catholicism in 1534 when England’s King Henry VIII was denied a marriage annulment. Both Churches are striving toward greater closeness despite obstacles.
In his homily Pope Francis acknowledged that Anglicans and Catholics “viewed each other with suspicion and hostility” in past centuries.
Full article here Homily here
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New horizons for Fr Paul
The Adelaide Archdiocese held a Mass last month to give thanks to Father Paul Cashen MSC for his time as administrator of the Adelaide Cathedral parish.
His work colleagues also had the chance to farewell him on February 24 at an afternoon tea in the Cathedral Hall.
Fr Paul Cashen has been appointed by Archbishop Wilson to the Ministry of Pastoral Care for the Ordained Deacons of the Archdiocese and to a consultative role with the Adelaide Ministry Formation Program involving diaconal recruitment, assessment and formation. Fr Paul also has been appointed to the parish of Henley Beach, where he will support Fr John Rate.
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Rise to the Challenge in 2017
Each year on a cold winter’s night in June, a group of like-minded individuals join together to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness in Australia. On Thursday 29 June some of SA’s most prominent community leaders will again be participating in the 2017 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
In 2016, participants raised nearly $630,000, helping the Society provide 17,155 nights of safe sleep to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, 30,000 meals through the Fred’s Van Service, as well as supporting other programs and Services in South Australia.
To meet the ever increasing demand for Vinnies’ services, CEOs, Senior Executives and business leaders are encouraged to become involved. Homelessness will not end overnight, but by supporting the Vinnies CEO Sleepout you can be part of the solution. Register now as an individual or executive team here. Vinnes CEO Sleepout Contact: Email or by telephone on 8112 8713.
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Penalty rate decision
The St Vincent de Paul Society recently commented on the Fair Work Commission decision to change Sunday and public holiday penalty rates.
“This is an attack on people who already struggle to survive and for whom Penalty Rates make an important difference from week to week,” said the Society’s national council CEO, Dr John Falzon.
“Cutting penalty rates will not create jobs but it will build inequality.
“This cut will disproportionately affect women, young people and people who already carry the burden of inequality. The rights of workers should take priority over the maximisation of profits.
“This decision will result in more people needing to seek assistance from charities. The answer, however, is not charity. It is justice.”
Mr Falzon said Australia could not build a strong and fair economy on the “misguided premise that people should need to turn to charity to top up their inadequate incomes”. More information here.
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Recital success
More than 400 people came to the first concert held at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral as part of the Adelaide Fringe.
With the Cathedral recently undergoing significant restoration work, including the installation of a Canadian-built 1927 Casavant Frères pipe organ, the lunchtime recitals created a unique opportunity to visit this beautiful place of worship and be inspired by some of the world’s best classical music played on the magnificent pipe organ.
The first recital on February 22 was performed by Andrew Georg, a versatile South Australian musician whose career encompasses church music, opera, and choral music. This was followed by one of Australia’s leading young organists, Christopher Trikilis a Melbourne-based musician on 8 March.
The final concert on March 15 will feature David Heah who is a student of Dr Joshua van Konkelenberg, the star performer from last November’s launch of the pipe organ.
More concerts are planned in the future so check the Archdiocesan website for details.
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Sacrament guidelines
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference recently launched guidelines about the appropriate sacramental preparation for people with disability.
The guidelines are a further contribution to the efforts of the Catholic Church to encourage ministry to, and with, people with disability. Prepared by the Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life with advice and assistance from the Australian Catholic Disability Council, the guidelines provide further clarification and guidance about the means for providing fuller access to the sacraments by people with disability.
The Australian Catholic Disability Council launched the guidelines with Bishop Terry Brady, the Australian Catholic Bishops Delegate for Disability, at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney.
“We have addressed the guidelines to families, clergy and parish leaders. They offer guidance to parishes on sacramental preparation and celebration for people with disability and for their families and carers,” said Bishop Brady. The guidelines can be purchased online here.
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Canberra convention
Christian Brothers College student Daniel Malcolm is one of 120 Year 11 and 12 students selected to participate in the 22nd National Schools Constitutional Convention, being held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra from March 15 - 17.
The Convention provides senior students with an opportunity to become better informed about how Australia's Constitution provides a democratic framework and encourages them to take an active interest in the operation of government. The topic of the 2017 Convention is ‘Indigenous Australians and the Constitution’.
In becoming a national delegate, Daniel was selected from around 4000 students from government, independent and Catholic schools, most of whom took part in feeder conventions in their home state or territory.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to go to Canberra and debate current constitutional reform issues at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House,” said Daniel.
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Lenten journey
Jesuit Communications, publisher of Madonna magazine and its online partner pray.com.au has released for Lent a personal journey for people interested in exploring a deeper relationship with Jesus. It helps people who are struggling, and raises questions that people often ask of God in difficult times: Why do bad things happen? Why do people suffer? Where is justice to be found? Sign up to receive the daily prayer here
The theme of the 2017 Xt3 Lent calendar app is Give God a moment this Lent.
The Xt3 Lent calendar will feature several videos on Caritas Australia’s work around the world, mini documentaries on artists who are using their talents to serve God, the Lenten message from Pope Francis and an Easter message from Sydney's Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP.
The app, which was created in 2010, has been accessed in Australia, the Philippines, the USA, Malaysia, Ireland, Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago.
It is available for both Apple and Android products. More information here
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2017 Young Australian of the Year
Paul Vasileff, an old scholar of Christian Brothers College in Adelaide, is the recipient of the 2017 Young Australian of the Year.
Paul showed great ability studying art and design at the school. He later pursued his design passion at the prestigious Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, Italy before returning to Adelaide and establishing his own label; Paulo Sebastian, which has become well-known amongst celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Delta Goodrem and Kris Jenner.
From his early days at Christian Brothers College to becoming 2017 Young Australian of the Year, Paul has demonstrated that there are no limits when you dedicate your life to your passion.
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Artistic tribute
To mark the 800th anniversary of the naming of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) last year, 15 contemporary Dominican artists from around the world were invited to hang a piece of their contemporary art in the Dominican headquarters in Santa Sabina, Rome.
Australia had its own artistic tribute, with the works of six Dominican artists recently travelling to five cities in venues closely associated with the pastoral and educational activity of the Sisters and Friars in Australia.
Click here for an article by David Kilmartin.
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me4u on facebook!
Catholic Charities' bright and colourful me4u website that highlights and celebrates the fundraising work done in schools to help those 'in our own backyard’ now has its own Facebook page. Check it out here and like the page!
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