Queensland Multicultural Month
30 July – 6 August Donate Life Week
4 National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day
4-17 Fair Trade Fortnight
7 – 13 Homelessness Week
9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
12 – 20 National Science Week
19 World Humanitarian Day / World Photo Day
19 – 27 Seniors Week
19 – 25 Children’s Book Week
20-26 Hearing Awareness Week
23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
My best wishes and solidarity to my Muslim friends during this holy time of Ramadan.
May we who are not Muslim fast from prejudice, misinformation and ignorance about our sisters and brothers of Islam.
May we who are not Muslim be generous in our willingness to understand this faith and welcome this community into our neighbourhoods.
May we who are not Muslim take time to reflect, pray and be still with the wonder of faith that calls all people to peace, collaboration, respect and love.
Worth reading
Franciscan Message for the Month of Ramadan
Pope to Muslims for end of Ramadan: Promoting Mutual Respect through Education (2013)
The theme for #NRW2017 is ‘Let’s Take the Next Steps’.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs annually from 27 May – 3 June. These dates mark two milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey: The 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision, respectively.
In 2017, we reflect on two significant anniversaries in Australia’s reconciliation journey – 50 years since the 1967 referendum, and 25 years since the historic Mabo decision. As we commemorate these significant milestones, we ask all Australians to be a part of the next big steps in our nation’s reconciliation journey.
You can now download the poster here. More digital resources will be available to download here in the coming weeks.
For updates on #NRW2017, sign up to our email newsletter by entering your email address at the bottom of the page, and keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter.
2017 is the United Nations Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
2017 is the last year of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008–2017)
1 World Day of Peace Message / 24 Hours for Peace
5 Anniversary of execution of Dundalli 1855
On an average of maybe once a month I join the 2.5 million train passengers per year that swipe their cards at the Fortitude Valley train station. In peak hour I blend into the bodies and faces that focus on the platform or the exit without awareness of the guards watching the procession of humanity. Off -peak is more relaxed and even seems to promote acknowledgements and greetings as we take our time to swipe and move.
Today I had an off peak experience and casually swiped my card when a voice called “Hey mate”. When I realised it was a staff member I immediately thought either my card didn’t read or random body checks were about to be introduced by Queensland Rail.
However, the greeting was followed with “I saw you on TV the other week”. I now have reasonable list of TV credits to my name so I could ask “Whch program”? It turns out it was a recent ABC documentary on Mu’ooz Restaurant in West End.
The fascinating insight for me was that the staff member stated he recognized me from my trips in and out of Fortitude Valley. Just when I thought I woud be a face in the crowd it turns out that my face stands out enough to be remembered on screen and at barriers!!
Our conversation then shifted to the subject of the documentary and the QR staff member’s interest in learning more about African cuisine and the location of the restaurant.
I did my promo job with a quick review and reccommendation as well as directions to rival Google maps.
This encounter also reminded me that I live in a public sphere most of the time. Today I was wearing my “Free the Refugees” Tee shirt and my Anti-Poverty 2016 cap. I have been described as a walking billboard before and I take my public role of advocacy as a challenge and invitation to engage in public conversations about justice.
This week in the Christian community of the West is known as Holy Week. it is a time of intense drama and memory retold in story and ritual. It has the power to shatter our self image as much as the original story recorded in the Gospels.
The ancient texts proclaimed this week tell of the “turning away” both of the imperial might of Pilate and the loyal followers of Yeshua of Nazareth.
It has been the turmoil of history in the Church as prophets and outsiders challenged Popes, clergy and civic authorities who turned away from the vision of a new world founded on justice and peace.
In our own days we witness the “turning away” of religious leaders from the long history of sexual abuse in the name of religion.
It is not unusual that the voices that challenge come from outside the structures of religion. That has been the pattern of reform from the time of Abraham and Sarah.
The powerful lyrics of Pink Floyd won’t make their way into the formal liturgies of this week. But they will touch the hearts of those who have seen the signs and heard the words that lead to life.
Ash Wednesday 2016
We carry the cross of suffering and pain inflicted by injustice and exploitation. We wear this mark to remember the words and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth so that all may have life and have it to the full.
Repent is not a popular word and rarely makes it into the friendly game of Scrabble. Yet it is a life giving choice we make if we are to be agents of change and rewrite grace into history
Ash Wednesday calls us to repent of all that is not life giving at the personal and social in our choices. Repentance also demands a change of heart and practice if it is going to be effective.
This is the time to fast from inhumanity and cruelty. This is the time to put our prayer into action and our alms giving into justice making.
Let us be glad for the season of Lent
#ashtag #lent #ambassadorsforchrist
