What Reconciliation Means To Me: Sherry Balcombe
May 27, 2021
Sherry Balcombe has a background in Aboriginal welfare, with six years at the Victoria Aboriginal Child Care Agency in Victoria and seventeen years at the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, six years of which she has spent as its Co-ordinator. She is a Western Yalanji, Djabaguy/Okola woman from Far North Queensland who was born on Wurrundjeri Country in Melbourne, Victoria.
I first encountered the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry through the Opening the Doors Foundation. I was seeking tutoring for my children at the time and it was the first time my family and I had any support.
To show gratitude, I rang the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry to thank them and then they offered me a job. Although I couldn’t accept at the time as my children were too little, later I was able to accept. The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry were able to be flexible and so all the reasons not to work were taken out of the way.
Big Strides for Little Feet
May 15, 2021
When you have a baby, your mind takes you on a journey. Immediately you start to think about what your child’s life has in store and how you, as a parent, can ensure they enjoy every opportunity in life.
In January 2018 my husband and I, along with our daughter Olympia, welcomed our twins Dimitri and Marissa to the world. Having twins was a challenge on its own, but we were so excited to be growing our family, that we took this new adventure in our stride.
Mary and Flora MacKillop
May 9, 2021
A mother’s love is epitomized by sacrifice, self-giving, nurturing, shaping and supporting.
Mothers rejoice in the creation of a child and enjoy the happiness of family life.
Flora MacKillop was an exceptional mother to her children, despite shouldering many of the burdens of the family alone.
The Two Mothers of Julian Tenison Woods
Julian Tenison Woods had a dream at age six of a heavenly mother. At age 15 he suffered the death of his earthly mother.
These two mothers held a special place in Julian’s life: Mary, whom he described as “my darling, sweet mother”, and Henrietta Marie St Eloy Tenison, his quiet, gentle and kindly mother whose life ended at age 46, in 1847.
The death of his mother was a profound loss for Julian.
ethica and Fair Trade
May 8, 2021
Want to join us in making a fairer world?
Unfair vs fair: Buying ethica fair trade products is just the beginning. Trade is about long-term relationships, between producers and consumers and between countries and regions. For us to truly achieve fair trade, we must see the world in a different way, as a world where everybody should have the same opportunities and rights, a world of fairness for all.
150 Days for Refugees: Josephite Justice Network Launches New Campaign
May 4, 2021
Refugee advocates and members of the Josephite Justice Network launched a new campaign, 150 Days of Action for Refugees, on 1 May for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker.
The campaign is a response to Pope Francis’ declaration of 2021 as the Year of St Joseph, who was himself a refugee in Egypt and is “the special patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty.”
St Joseph: An Encounter
May 1, 2021
An encounter is an unexpected meeting. Thus there is always a surprise element in an encounter. Sometimes hearing the same story over and over we can miss the element of surprise and take for granted that there is nothing new in what we are hearing.
When we listen to the Scripture passages referring to St Joseph does this happen?
ANZAC Day 2021
April 25, 2021
My great grandfather Duncan was an ANZAC, served as a Sergeant-Major, and survived both World Wars. My aunty Sally fought leukemia and unfortunately did not survive, dying on ANZAC Day in 2002.
On ANZAC Day I remember them both. When they went to fight their own wars they were in their twenties – like me.