Climate Strike

Reasons to Strike

Pope Francis calls us to care from our common home, telling us, as people of faith, that living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.

As if we needed any more motivation to act for climate justice, The Guardian news service provides us with over 20 reasons why the worldwide youth climate strike movement is essential.  Here is a taste, a convincing affirmation for those of us who chose to participate in the Youth Climate Strike.

• Strike because the people who did the least to cause this crisis suffer first and worst – the people losing their farms to desert and watching their islands sink beneath the waves aren’t the ones who burned the coal and gas and oil.
• Strike because this could be the great opportunity – and maybe the last opportunity – to transform our society towards justice and towards joy. Green New Deals have been proposed around the world; they are a way forward.
• Strike because what we do this decade will matter for hundreds of thousands a year.
• Strike because indigenous people around the world are trying to protect their rightful land from the coal and oil companies – and in the process protect all of us.
• Strike because science is real, because physics exists, because chemistry matters.
• Strike because the world we were given is still so sweet. (19/9/19, The Guardian)

And so many Sisters, Associates, Youth Volunteers and Josephite Friends, from around Australia and beyond, joined with young activists to march for Climate Justice.

In Ireland:

In Sydney:

In Brisbane:

Josephite Sisters joined Youth, Families, Faith Groups, Union representatives and other supporters in the climate action march held on Friday afternoon 20 September 2019, in Brisbane.

It was evident that those who marched were concerned about the earth, water and the welfare of future generations. There was also a sense of urgency. We have no time to wait for action. The time to act is now.

Each of us can take some action through prayer, saving water, saving electricity, buying and using less products and recycling.

We will continue to support our youth and act for climate change in our actions, prayers and advocacy work.

In Perth:

As Forrest Place in Perth bulged with the thousands of students and adult workers and supporters, the voices of the organisers were heard over the masses.  The walk down William Street and onto Elizabeth Quay was peaceful and passionate, with chants of what do we want… climate justice and more. The student leaders were supported by Trade Union members and individuals, some leading small children and infants, with slogans like… give me a future…

As the news of the hundreds of rallies came through social media, and news outlets across the world, one could only marvel with emotion at ‘the power of one’, Greta Thunberg who has shown in her speeches and responses that she has a comprehensive grasp of the climate crisis, ( she has studied all the reports of the IPCC) and who has brought millions with her in this campaign.

It was amazing to be part of such a mass of humanity, wanting to proclaim that together we must act to save our planet.

Let us continue to act, to lobby our members in Parliament, to do what is right, not just what is economically profitable, to create jobs in renewable energy, and to think and speak with vision for the good of the people and the planet.

Karen Oxley

Year of Indigenous Languages: Italian and Pidgin English

The United Nations has declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. To celebrate, for each month this year, you’re invited to view greetings for different languages.

For October we feature the languages Dutch and Gaelic:

Italian

Papa Francesco ci dice che “I popoli indigeni, con la loro varietà di lingue, culture, tradizioni e conoscenze ancestrali, ci ricordano che siamo tutti responsabili per la cura del creato che Dio ci ha affidato”.

Preghiamo che Dio benedica tutti i popoli indigeni del mondo e che nel dialogo continueremo sempre alla ricerca di cio che ci unisce. 

Pope Francis tells us that “The indigenous peoples, with their diverse languages, cultures, traditions and ancestral knowledge, remind us that we are all responsible for caring for God’s creation with which we have been entrusted.”

We pray that God bless all the indigenous peoples of the world and, that in dialogue with them, we will continue to discover all that which unites us.

Pidgin English

Today, there are 851 languages spoken in Papua New Guinea. These languages are spoken by the tribal groups inhabiting the country (“Papua New Guinea has 832 living languages (languages, not dialects)) making it the most linguistically diverse place on Earth.

Bikpela hamamas ikam long yupela olgeta! Dispela yia em i yia bilong tok ples.

Olsem na nau mipela tok olsem yumi salim ting ting lotu igo long olgeta lain bilong taim bipo, taim bilong ol tubuna man na tubuna meri.

Yumi tok save olsem taim bilong ol tubuna ol nau sindaun wantaim papa yumi askim ol long lukautim olgeta pikini, lapun man, lapun meri, ol sik lain, ol lik lik na bikpela samting na graun blo ples yumi sindaun. Yumi askim papa na bihanim tok save na ting ting bilong em.

Long nem bilong bik man na nem Jesus yumi askim.

The very rough English translation is:

Sending you happy peace today during a year in which we celebrate the languages of our tribes.

Firstly, we honour and send our prayers to our ancestors.

We ask our ancestors and God who now watch over every person (young and old) and all living things and to help us look after each other and take care of the world we share.  Help us live the word of God through our thoughts and actions.

In Jesus name we pray.

Image of Rome by Free-Photos from Pixabay. Image of Alotau Beautiful Child by  Image by JulesR from Pixabay. Both images used with permission.

The 27th General Chapter of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

The 27^th General Chapter of the Sisters of Saint Joseph is underway at St Joseph’s Conference Centre at Baulkham Hills, Sydney.

The 63 Chapter members, voted as delegates by the Sisters in their Regions, are involved in discerning the future of the Congregation and will elect a new Congregational Leader and Councillors. All the Sisters and some of their affiliates have been engaged in a year-long process of prayer, reading, reflection and contemplative dialogue in preparation for this event.

The theme of the Chapter is Raising the Powers of Love, taken from Teilhard de Chardin’s insights. The Chapter gospel story is the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Facilitator Judith King explained Chapter as: “a way of dreaming, a way of thinking, a way of organising, a way of keeping true to the Gospel – a journey of faith and prayer, a discernment.”

Women and men with various relationships to the Sisters visited the Chapter and spoke about how they were influenced by the charism in their work, and offered challenges that the Chapter could consider.

Clyde Rigney, a Ngarrindjeri Elder, travelled from South Australia to address the Chapter. Others represented organisations such as Mary MacKillop Today, Global Catholic Climate Movement, Josephite Heritage Centres, and Australian Plenary Council 2020.

They spoke of their connection to the charism in the places they worked – in schools, as young adults involved in social justice, in running a social service organisation, being a Josephite affiliate leading the chaplaincy team in a large hospital, and as a Josephite Associate/Companion. They encouraged Sisters to trust them as partners in living the charism.

The flow of messages of prayer and support has greatly encouraged the Chapter members. The Chapter is supported by an enthusiastic group assisting with prayer, health and well-being, hospitality, minute taking, translating and communications.

Anne Burke rsj

View some photos from Chapter in the gallery below:

Pray with the Sisters for their 27th General Chapter

Fr Julian: Man of Words – Letter Nine

130 years ago, on 7 October 1889 Father Julian Tenison Woods died at 561 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. He was only 56 years old. This month we provide opportunity to explore some of the articles that appeared in newspapers across Australia at that time.

Death of Fr Julian Tenison Woods

Anniversary of the Death of Fr Julian Tenison Woods on 7 October.

We commemorate the 130th anniversary of the death of Julian Tenison Woods on 7 October. A multi-faceted human being with extraordinary gifts and talents in a variety of fields, his scientific exploration and writings demonstrate his profound appreciation of nature and challenge us to reverence creation. While he was well regarded in the scientific world, he was beset by many personal disappointments and misunderstandings within the church. He was not a saint, but through his suffering, he remained constant in his faith and committed to his priesthood.

We invited Tenison Woods College students in Mount Gambier, SA to produce a video to celebrate this wonderful man – please view at the end of this article.

Click here to continue reading

Friendship

When your intent is friendship, the humble Aussie sausage will suffice…

Recently our young JAG (Josephite Action Group) volunteers had a feast with a group of newly arrived refugee families. We were offered different types of Kibbu, Tabouli, Kouba, salad options, homemade Turkish delight, sesame bars made from a grandmother’s secret recipe, homemade baklava, dulma and biryani chicken rice. It was magnificent and more delicious because it was made with love. Such a feast put our Aussie sausage BBQ to shame – but our offering during our time together at the Royal National Park (South of Sydney, New South Wales) was an offering made in friendship and love also.

Many newly arrived refugee families from Iraq have daughters attending Mary MacKillop College at Wakeley. Over time it had become apparent that many of these newly arrived refugee families feel isolated. Our young JAG volunteers resolved to host our new friends to a weekend away at the Royal National Park. This would be an opportunity to deepen our acquaintance, learn from each other and share stories, meals, games and culture.

We went bushwalking, we played games, we sang and danced, we went rock climbing, catapulting, billy cart driving and exploring. Outside experts offered educational opportunities to the adults for work potential. It was a cultural exchange opening our eyes to the difficulties faced by war- traumatized people arriving in Australia. All our new friends have left everything to make a new life – one that is safe for their children. Many have been forced to abandon their professional, successful careers to start afresh in Australia. It is remarkable for people to have given up so much and yet elect to be hopeful and optimistic about their futures.

The JAG volunteers used the weekend as an opportunity to nurture friendships with our new Australians and devise a way forward working with these families to create more opportunities for them in their new country, Australia. As Aussie tradition would dictate, our meal offerings consisted of sausages and meat BBQ, tomato sauce, salad and bread. All eagerly consumed by both volunteers and families. The weekend was a huge success with a resolution made to reunite for an Iraqi picnic.

Two weeks later and it was our Iraqi families’ time to host us at Lizard Log Park at Chipping Norton, New South Wales. Their food offerings were slightly more elaborate than a sausage on a roll and enthusiastically consumed by all JAG volunteers. We took up three lots of two-metre tables covered in the traditional Iraqi food listed above. The picnic was a huge success.

It is said that sharing a meal is an important act for community development. Jesus chose to share a supper with his best friends before leaving them. In that breaking of bread, that sharing, we come together as one community willing to learn from each other, laugh with each other and help each other. The Spirit was with Jesus as he broke bread. The Spirit was with us as we forged new friendships with our Iraqi families. And yes, their meal offerings were slightly more elaborate than a sausage roll, but both offerings were equivalent when the motive was love and lasting friendship.

A special thanks must go to Mary MacKillop Today for the grant provided in order to begin this life-long project of friendship

Karen Oxley
Volunteers Co-ordinator
Josephite Justice Network

World Teachers’ Day 2019

If I was Premier for this year’s ‘World Teachers’ Day’ I would hang special banners from the Harbour Bridge and Parliament House.

These banners would show a teacher drawing material from another period or place which they would be unravelling with the help of several children and young people who in turn would be forming their own shapes.  The learning process thus represented has teachers drawing on their knowledge of the past or present; they then place their foot in the world of their students and translate this knowledge into the students’ context and language.  This requires suitable method and appropriate language so that together in an atmosphere of trust, problems can be solved, and creations developed for today and tomorrow.

I must state my bias in writing this article. I am a teacher. I love and respect and am challenged by this role. I still have on-going relationships with some students I taught more than 50 years ago. I have taught every class from Year 3 Primary to Senior Secondary where I revelled in Maths Science and Religion. I also taught at University in Pre-Service Teaching courses as well as Postgraduate Courses and supervision of Doctoral Students. All of this involved me in much discussion of the role of teachers and their issues at all levels that were continually changing and which I followed up from an academic point of view in research.

The teacher always needs to be conscious of the student’s response to the learning process.  I found I needed to watch the eyes of my students, especially in Maths, any lack of understanding or interest would immediately show there. I often needed to find a new way to focus their attention and sometimes take them along a different pathway, if my first approach didn’t reflect any awareness or enthusiasm.

I was very lucky I taught at a time when I knew and was trusted by my students and their parents and was indeed supported by them. I am very angry and concerned when I read about teachers today being attacked physically by their students or suffering from forms of anxiety attacks or mental illness, because of the growing stress of the classroom, or the behavior of the students, the lack of support of the parents, or even the administration of the School.  The media seems to speak so negatively about teachers in terms of their ability and indeed their value. A teacher’s salary doesn’t suggest to the next generation it is a valued field of employment.   I am not saying all teachers are perfect, but I have seen many dedicated young teachers give up their career within a few years and I know students and society are the losers when this happens.

I had the privilege over many years of serving on Syllabus Committees for both Science and Religion Studies and thus worked with so many skilled, creative and committed teachers. It is of the essence of good teachers that they will share their ideas and experience with others as they try to create a framework for teachers and students to use. Teachers are good organisers and able to plan and to see various ways to approach issues with an open mind. It is appropriate that on this World Teachers’ Day we may recall a Teacher who helped/challenged us or our children and, if possible, acknowledge them and encourage a new generation of teachers.

Pat Malone rsj

Image: Photograph with thanks to Mount St Joseph Milperra, NSW. Used with permission.

Social Justice Sunday 2019

The concept ‘Social Justice’ is very wide, including all societies everywhere, and indeed all creatures and our planet.

We are increasingly aware of this global reach of social justice, depending as we all are, on how we treat our common home, as well as one another. In this age of fast-growing technology, we have more opportunity than ever before, to know how our actions and the actions of communities, states and nations are affecting others, and the oppressive conditions in which many people have to eke out an existence. Through a multitude of media devices, we are often brought face to face with the truth that the poor are carrying burdens made heavier, by the life style of those who have far more than they need. The world is an uneven and for some, a very unfair place.

Whether it is the plight of asylum seekers, homeless people, abused children, low lying islands already feeling the destructive effects of climate change, families too poor to send their children to school, whole groups desperate in the face of starvation, the millions fleeing from war, the unemployed and underemployed who can’t afford to buy a home, prisoners who are wrongly convicted, families whose breadwinner is in gaol, farmers living with the anxiety of drought, women living with domestic violence, trafficked women and men… our hearts are moved to compassion.  We want so much to be of help, only to feel a sense of helplessness.

In the words of the 26th Josephite General Chapter 2013, we feel ‘the desolation in ourselves and beyond, we hear the cry of earth, the cry of children’.

Whenever and wherever a measure of social justice has been achieved, to right wrongs, to improve the conditions of disadvantaged people, it has usually been done through the actions and advocacy of people who have had the vision to see, that things could be and should be otherwise. They’ve gone through a transformation of consciousness. Their powers of love have been raised.

Such advocacy is more possible, when groups belong to a network, and through collaboration, gain and disseminate knowledge, persevere through opposition and failure, utilise the skills of the members as well as those of others to gather information, and plan strategies to challenge the unjust and often cruel situations.

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking of Humans (ACRATH), is an example of such a network. The members collaborate in the difficult task of supporting individuals who have been brought to Australia to work on farms, for example, with the promise of a fair wage and fair working conditions, but many of whom have been denied justice on every level, a flagrant example of trafficking of humans.  Some have had to return to their country, with less money than they had, when they arrived in Australia.  They have had to face their families and relatives, with this humiliating embarrassment, making the situation even worse. Some had to borrow money to pay for their fares to come to Australia…

Continue reading Sr Margaret Keane’s article (PDF)

Margaret Keane rsj

View the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2019-2020 Social Justice Statement

Thumbnail image: Five people holding each other’s hands by rawpixel.com obtained on Pexels. Used with permission.