Call on God’s Mercy
September 2, 2020Veronica Lawson* provides an ecological explanation of Isaiah 55:6-9.
Ecological readers of Isaiah 55:6-9, the first reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, will immediately notice that it is male-gendered and that it is concerned exclusively with divine-human relationships. The more-than-human is invoked only to demonstrate the gulf between God’s ways and thoughts on the one hand and flawed humanity’s ways and thoughts on the other. Earth becomes the negative counterpart to the heavens above.
There is more to this reading, however, than first meets the ecological eye and it would be tragic indeed if we were to miss the force and even the wonder of this prophetic piece…
Continue reading the article below:
Tui Motu Issue 252, September 2020 (PDF)
*Veronica Lawson RSM is an eco-feminist biblical scholar and author of The Blessing of Mercy: Bible Perspectives and Ecological Challenges, 2016.
Image obtained from Tui Motu. Used with permission.
Catholic Earthcare Convocation 2020
September 1, 2020To commemorate the Season of Creation (1 September to 4 October), you’re invited to attend Catholic Earthcare’s Convocation delivered online this September 2020.
As stated on the Catholic Earthcare website:
“Catholic Earthcare is a place and platform where the many, diverse voices within our church community come together, in dialogue, to help and co-create our shared future. (Catholic Earthcare have) designed this significant church event with a wide audience in mind. (They) hope you’ll explore the themes and register for the sessions that speak to you.”
- ‘formation’ sessions look at the theological and moral imperative to care for our common home,
- ‘foundation’ explores the financial, economic, political and social spheres in which influence our common home, and;
- ‘action’ explores the transformative ways in which we can realise the need to care for creation.
You’re invited to find out more by clicking on the links below:
Program for Convocation 2020 (PDF)
Image: Garden working hands dirt earthing by Lynniet17 obtained from Pixabay. Used with permission.
Child Protection Week: 6-12 September 2020
National Child Protection Week is a campaign held annually across Australia to raise awareness of child abuse prevention.
The objectives of the week are to raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection. Protecting children from abuse is a whole of community responsibility.
Research shows that one of the best ways to prevent child abuse and neglect, before it starts, is by building child friendly communities that support and value children and families.
NAPCAN celebrates 30 years of the National Child Protection week campaign, which was aimed at bringing abuse and neglect out of the shadows and putting child wellbeing on the national agenda.
The NAPCAN theme in 2020 for National Child Protection Week is adeptly titled:
This means prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children so they can grow up to feel and also be, safe and loved.
Mr Richard Cooke, the CEO of NAPCAN, states:
“Child abuse and neglect is preventable. If we all work together as a community, we can create an Australia where children can grow up safe and well.” Mr Cooke challenges all Australians by posing the question “What role can you play in supporting children and their families?”
The Sisters of Saint Joseph (SOSJ) are actively committed to fostering communities and a culture of safeguarding that recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children. SOSJ have developed a Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement to reflect and honour this commitment to child safety and respect. We invite you to read more about our Child Commitment Statement by visiting our website or clicking here.
The Australian Catholic Church observes ‘Child Protection Sunday’ on the second Sunday in September each year. Child Protection Sunday coincides with National Child Protection Week and falls on Sunday 13 September 2020.
Let us take this time to reflect and celebrate how we have ‘put children first’ in the past, whilst also looking forward to consider how we may plan to ‘put children first’ in the future.
NAPCAN have a range of resources and events planned to celebrate National Child Protection Week, and these can be accessed on their website or by clicking here.
The Kids Helpline is another great resource to access support materials for children and young people, particularly in light of the current global pandemic. The Kids Helpline has a free session for students titled: ‘COVID-19: Strategies for coping. Understand emotional responses and learn ways to cope.’ There is also a ‘COVID-19 Time Capsule’ resource activity which can be downloaded for free and used with students or young people whom you may have relationship with. You can access these resources via the Kids Helpline website or by clicking here. What better way to ‘Put Children First’, than to recognise the significant impact the pandemic has on their wholistic wellbeing.
Bravehearts, is Australia’s leading child protection charity dedicated to holistically preventing child sexual assault and exploitation. Bravehearts’ vision is to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child. In 1996, Bravehearts established ‘White Balloon Day’, aimed to raise awareness about child sexual assault in Australia and help empower survivors to break their silence. White Balloon Day is held annually on the first Friday during National Child Protection Week and shall be celebrated this year on Friday 11th September.
May I invite you to join with me in making Australia safer for our children by supporting White Balloon Day on Friday 11 September and wearing the colour white. You may choose to hold a morning tea within your workplace, your community or with your family and friends, and raise awareness to this important topic. You may choose to collect a gold coin donation fundraise by signing up at whiteballoonday.com.au. Everyone who signs up will receive a free support pack. You can learn more about Bravehearts and donate by clicking here.
Can we also alert you to the fact that between 24 October – 1 November 2020, it is Children’s Week, a national celebration of children and young people’s rights to celebrate their capacity to actively contribute to the world around them. The Theme for 2020 is Article 15:
We encourage you to celebrate and raise awareness of National Child Protection Week, by ‘Putting Children First’, within the community in which you work, minister and live.
Jane Lace
Safeguarding Coordinator
I am Josephite: Sr Jenny’s Story
August 30, 2020Our fourth video for our series titled ‘I am Josephite’, features Sister of Saint Joseph Jenny Mori.
As stated by Sr Jenny, “in my religious life, I have had an opportunity to work in different places with many people in parishes, schools (and) universities.”
Sr Jenny’s current ministry is pastoral care at a Jesuit University in Peru called Antonio Ruiz de Montoya.
You’re invited to view Sr Jenny’s story in the video provided below:
Social Justice Sunday 2020
August 28, 2020A Kairos Moment – the Call of Social Justice Sunday?
Last month Jim Wallis from Sojourners described this COVID-19 period as Kairos time. And it is such an apt term. We know that the Greeks had two words for time – Chronos: the chronological passing of time, and Kairos: an auspicious, precarious moment, when things come to a head and we’re called to a new place. Jim’s description really captures for me the reality of the Covid experience as one of Kairos time.
From the very beginning of the virus, we’ve heard this year described as unprecedented, unparalleled. Leaders have told us ‘we’re all in it together’, that ‘we’ll never be the same again.’ And in many ways, this is true. It’s beyond doubt that it’s been a year like no other we’ve experienced in our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic has dominated our lives and the media, and justifiably so. It’s been both a threat and an opportunity for us – personally, socially, economically, politically, spiritually.
Social Justice Sunday then, comes as a moment in this precarious year to look again – at the very heart of who we are and what our lives are really about. It reminds us of both the fragility and challenge of our days. It calls us to passion and compassion, those qualities at the core of the gospel, told in the story of the Good Samaritan, and embodied in the life, death and resurrection of the Jesus whom we follow.
Social Justice Sunday this year binds us together as a community in a distinctive way. At its core, it’s a profound time when once again, we are, in Pope Francis’ terms, learning to weep – as we experience the ravages of Covid; as we mourn with those who are suffering from the virus and its effects; as we grieve for those who have died alone, as well as for their families who feel bereft; as we anguish with those who have lost livelihoods and friends; as we experience particular anger at the devastating and unequal impact of Government assistance for those who have been totally excluded from financial assistance; as we lament the ongoing devastation of climate change.
The realities of this year remind us starkly that yes, we are “all in this together,” except that some are more “together” than others, and some safeguarded much more than others. And the temptation, as always in a time of crisis, is to batten down the hatches and protect what we have and who we are, in our defined community that is “all together”.
As I’ve reflected on Social Justice Sunday, it seems to me that this year, once again, we’re called in a very unambiguous way beyond our own “defined community.” We’re reminded that the gospel calls us to live our lives on the edge, expressing solidarity with those who are poor, and demonstrating practical hospitality, especially in this time when our lives are fragmented and when we’re confronted with our own fragility and that of our Church and Government. The call is to build community, not just with those in our immediate environment, but with all those currently excluded.
For me, this is the sign of great hope. We read and hear every day of those who are expressing solidarity with those on the edge – the kindness of neighbours & strangers joining together in creative ways; the groundswell of goodness reaching out to families such as the Biloela parents and their two small children, imprisoned to enable the Government to make a point; those working against fossil fuel power and dishonesty; small groups advocating for endangered species; individuals donating goods and vouchers for those in desperate need. There is so much inspiration, as well as challenge, in the pattern of our Kairos days.
Joanna Macy speaks of this as the spiral of justice work, beginning with ‘gratitude,’ moving to ‘grief for the world,’ to ‘seeing with new eyes,’ then ‘going forth.’
For me the “going forth” has particular meaning in this time of isolation and “social distancing.” It’s one I find illuminating in this Social Justice Sunday’s call to a new open weave of compassion and community for all who inhabit this fragile world.
Jan Barnett rsj
Josephite Justice Co-ordinator
You’re invited to view the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement for Social Justice Sunday (30 August 2020) below:
I am Josephite: Sr Majella’s Story
August 19, 2020Our third video for the recently launched series titled ‘I am Josephite’, features Sister of Saint Joseph Majella O’Sullivan.
About her ministry, Sr Majella said she is “working as a pastoral associate with the Catholic deaf community.”
You’re invited to view Sr Majella’s story in the video provided below:
World Humanitarian Day 19 August 2020
Honouring #RealLifeHeroes.
It feels natural for us to reach out to others when they are in need. We are, overwhelmingly, unable to stand back and not help those who are vulnerable, neglected or suffering. At times it can feel all too much and we feel powerless, especially in turbulent times like those we are all experiencing now, but rather than turning away from what can seem to be so insurmountable – I am heartened by the many taking action, in small, and not so small ways. Mary MacKillop famously said “Never see a need without doing something about it” and as we approach World Humanitarian Day on 19 August – we honour those who live by this example every day.
The United Nations established World Humanitarian Day in 2009 and the annual celebration honours those who have lost their lives in the service of others and recognises the amazing efforts by medical and aid workers in alleviating the suffering and hardships of so many around the world. They show the resilience, kindness and compassion of our shared humanity, by dedicating their time, energy and their lives to make the world a better place through their selfless acts. Humanitarian workers don’t hesitate to go where many may fear to venture and offer up their service to the needs of humanity; helping women, children, men and whole families survive in conflict and disaster zones. It takes such courage, of both heart and soul, to follow the calling to live one’s life for others. I can only imagine the struggle not to become weary with so many to help with so little resources, and yet they preserve and echo Mary’s words in their heart, taking… “fresh courage’, determined to do all that they can. We are so thankful for their service every day, especially right now during COVID-19 and the impact this has on being able to do their incredibly hard work.
You and I, might not be able to enter into a war zone or be able to jump on a plane to offer medical care during a worldwide pandemic, but we can see the needs of others around us in our daily lives and find a way to take action. There are so many ways we can show our humanity and honour those who do what we cannot; by volunteering, helping a neighbour, paying it forward, offering a hand up and committing to the simple idea of a weekly act of kindness. Anyone can be a humanitarian – it truly doesn’t take much to make a difference and make the world a better place.
May we all heed the example set by Mary MacKillop, by the Sister of Saint Joseph and by the #RealLifeHeroes, the Humanitarian workers, and do what we can to serve those in need.
If you’d like more information on how you can take action and transform the lives of vulnerable and neglected people here in Australia and overseas, visit Mary MacKillop Today to learn more.
Kelly Vance, Direct Marketing Officer
Mary MacKillop Today
Climate Emergency in the Pacific Webinar
August 17, 2020Webinar on the Climate Emergency in the Pacific and how Australians should Respond
On the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical, you are invited to a special Zoom webinar on the climate emergency in the Pacific and how Australians should respond.
Join Bishop Vincent Long (Bishop of Diocese of Parramatta) and His Excellency Anote Tong (former President of Kiribati) for a conversation facilitated by Jan Barnett rsj.
For more information and to RSVP, please click on the link and view the flyer provided below:
Webinar on the Climate Emergency in the Pacific