A Day in the Life: Mary MacKillop Today
September 8, 2020Mary MacKillop Today.
2020 has been an eventful year across the globe with everyone heavily impacted by the disruptions of COVID-19. The most vulnerable communities in Australia and around the globe are of course, feeling the greatest impact of the pandemic upon their lives.
In our work at Mary MacKillop Today we have been blessed with an ongoing commitment from supporters who still have the means to give generously. They recognise that these are the most important times to maintain programs and staff and partnerships formed and developed over years so that we may carry on necessary works now as well as bounce back on the other side.
Sadly, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on women around the world. We can see this especially in terms of economic challenges and livelihoods. With lockdowns causing widespread job losses, women have been impacted the hardest, as people who are generally earning less, saving less, and holding insecure jobs, or living close to poverty.
Another devastating outcome of the pandemic has been the increase in domestic violence against women, with increased stress levels amongst families and the effect of social isolation measures. Many women and their children have little option but to stay in unsafe homes without the ability to leave.
Peru, in particular, is suffering terribly. One of our programs, Enhancing Women’s Civil Participation Project, a joint initiative with our local partner CCAIJO, is working hard to address some of the greatest areas of need. CCAIJO’s special radio program called ‘Kuska Llank’aspa’, which means working together, has adapted by presenting programs on topics like Family Farming during Quarantine, Promoting Women’s Leadership in Compliance with Protocols at Home, while also raising awareness about family violence – including providing vital information on the resources available to deal with the effects of violence in the home. The radio program is an effective way of getting important messages to families while people are stuck and isolated in their homes and has been extended from one hour to three hours a week.
Daily we are reaching our program partners in Peru, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, to our staff in rural New South Wales and Timor-Leste – to ensure we adapt and find innovative ways to continue to serve those most vulnerable and in need.
So, as we seek to help women overcome enormous challenges right now, we find ourselves reflecting on one of our crucial guiding principles, ‘Women at the Heart: Inspired by a woman and led by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, women are central to our story and the communities we serve.’
We appreciate the importance of our women’s programs and of women telling their own story – particularly as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Saint Mary MacKillop’s canonisation. Mary knew too well what it meant to break down barriers in the face of adversity.
There are many stories to share, which can be found on our website where Mary MacKillop Today is reaching women and working with them to bring about real change. Women like Silvia in Timor-Leste, who was able to join our Women’s Livelihoods program and achieve financial independence by setting up her own income-generating kiosk business.
Women here in Australia too will have more opportunities to achieve financial freedom opportunities towards financial freedom – especially those most vulnerable to economic hardship who are struggling to see a way out of debt.
Mary MacKillop Today will continue to provide hope and solidarity throughout this time of the pandemic.
Jane Woolford
CEO, Mary MacKillop Today
Julian Tenison Woods: A Life – Chapters 16th to 18th
September 7, 2020
Chapters 16th, 17th and 18th
In addition to [Father Woods’] duties as Secretary to the Bishop, Director General of Catholic Education (a regular system of which he was expected to organise) and Inspector of Schools, he had to take charge of Port Adelaide, eight miles from the city, until another priest could be had. Dr Sheil was to go to Europe immediately after Easter, and the whole of the education arrangements were left to the new Director General…[i]
Father’s Day 2020
September 6, 2020The first Father’s Day was celebrated in the USA, Washington on 19 June 1910.
It soon became popular in North America and different parts of the World including Australia. It has been celebrated in different months of the year March, May, June and September in Australia. Father’s Day is a significant day as it provides families with an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to their Fathers.
I am fortunate as I will be celebrating Father’s Day with my father and experiencing being a father for my two little children which has given me a different experience and perspective for my life. During my childhood, I used to look up to my father as a god-like figure who played a massive and crucial role in my life’s growth, development and achievements. I always try to follow his footsteps but was not able to express my feelings. During Father’s Day I used to wake up early in the morning to help my Mum to prepare breakfast for my father. I used to be able to afford less romantic handcraft gifts such as cards, handkerchief and help by such things as ironing all the clothes for the rest of the week. As I started my high school, I started buying consumer goods by borrowing my fathers’ money to buy his Father’s Day gifts.
Now, my children are also celebrating Father’s Day and I have been receiving handcrafted gifts for the last few years. When I see my children on Father’s Day trying to hide the gifts, they have for me, I feel joy and tremendous happiness. I think that the next chapter of my life has begun. I am trying to be a role model to my children and help in the development of their physical and mental health.
Sudeep Phuyal
Image: Sleeping Man and Baby obtained from Pexels. Used with permission.
JAG Partners with the House of Welcome
September 5, 2020
JAG (Josephite Action Group) volunteers have recently partnered with the House of Welcome to support asylum seeker families.
Sixteen generous young people (and a few more mature helpers!) responded to a request from the House of Welcome to help prepare a home for a group of young homeless refugee women.
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: