Supporting Febfast 2019
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
1-7 World Interfaith Harmony Week
5-19 Chinese New Year of the Pig
6 Waitangi Day Aotearoa New Zealand
12 Indigenous Freedom Ride Anniversary 1965 1
13 Stolen Generations Apology 2008 / World Radio Day
18 International Asperger’s Day
20 World Day of Social Justice / World Harmony Day
During the 2018 Christmas Season I have published my series of reflections originally posted in 2012 . I hope you enjoy them and invite your response. Come back each of the 12 Days to read a new post.
One of the practices I learnt from my parents was the value of volunteering in the local community. They modeled their belief in faith and neighbourhood in action and commitment. My father was a life long member of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Geelong. As well as a weekly meeting, Dad looked after the management of Halstead Place, a hostel for rough sleepers. He also cared for the garden at our local parish Church and was a regular on the Meals on Wheels program.
My mother came from a family where commitment to school, church and community was ingrained as the way of living. As well as school Mothers Club and canteen rosters, Mum joined committees for the local parish and in later life, the management committee at her retirement village. As with many homemakers Mum also volunteered an amazing volume of cakes and goodies for fetes and fundraisers. When our family were sorting out finances after Mum’s death we discovered her incredible generosity to causes and campaigns that worked for the common good.
I inherited much of this understanding and commitment to volunteering. Some of my most treasured young memories are the days when my Dad would “dink me” on his bike to the hostel where he cooked and cared for rough sleepers.
On this National Volunteers Week I give thanks to those organisations that have provided me with opportunities to “Give a Little and Change a Lot” The change has been in my outlook and understanding of the world and how we work together to build community.
At 65 years old I look back with gratitude to the groups and communities that provided volunteering experience and life long learning for me:
As well as groups and associations I have been able to volunteer my services as a photographer to friends and public events as a citizen journalist. This is a role where I am able to us m y images to challenge social exclusion, prejudice and injustice.
As I begin a new era as a senior citizen I have taken up membership of advocacy groups for my generation.
My hope is to continue to volunteer for my community and causes that promote social change. I hope that through my volunteering at this stage of life I can mentor a new generation of awareness and commitment.
Today and every day until #Nabka, May 15 I will wear my #Keffiyeh. This act is a statement of solidarity with the protests in Gaza and a condemnation of the Israeli Government and military for their abuse of human rights.
As an Australian I wear my Keffiyeh to protest the silence of our major political parties and our diplomatic failure to censure Israel for its violence against the Palestinian Community.
To honour this day I publish two of my fave icons of Saints Perpetua and Felicity next to Saints Sergius and Bacchus. These ancient martyrs have been revered and honoured for their witness to same sex affection, commitment and devotion.
My thanks to FB friend Paul Halsall who in 1997 published a comprehensive Calendar of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Saints
We who are people of faith celebrating our diverse sexuality can look back to a rich history of mentors and witnesses to the grace of love among our LGBTIQ ancestors.
On this historic day let us unite in prayerful thanks for this legislation and invite our Church to begin a new journey of affirmation of our love and commitment.
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| Source http://slideplayer.com/slide/2437893/ |
In the lead-up to the Queensland State elections on 25th November the Archdiocese of Brisbane has launched a public forum inviting discussion on public policy and Catholic values.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge encourages participation in these words:
” I warmly invite you to contribute your thoughts on the ways you believe the future Queensland Government could better support families, particularly those who support Catholic values. We would like to see improvements in learning and education from a future government that reflects the core values of decency towards Queenslanders.
Your feedback can help to continue shaping an environment for our children, anchored among Catholic values that include respect for others”
