Spot On Pauline Connelly!

On page 5 of the December issue of ‘The Southern Cross’ newspaper Pat reflects on the relationship between the media and truth!
The manner in which the death of Daniel Awak was reported by the media included much creative speculation and innuendo. Truth played a very minor role.
The “sensationalism and clanging rhetoric of the daily media was well and truly laid bare!”
Should we accept this form of reporting?

Last year media companies published a report, “Right To Know,” in order to highlight the difficulties they claim they are experiencing in getting access to factual information from governments and public institutions.
In the report the government is accused of all kinds of control, manipulation and spin that diminish the rights of the public to accurate information.

Yet these same media companies continually display incredible hypocrisy by perpetrating exactly such manipulation and spin themselves!
Their focus appears to be not on reporting public events and controversies, but on trying blatantly to create controversies, often with hurtful consequences.

The coverage of Daniel’s death was another embarrassing example of journalists manipulating, distorting and spinning in order to beat up controversy, innuendo and public distrust.

Do ‘journalists’ ever reflect on journalistic ethics?
Aren’t readers, listeners and viewers entitled to have news and comment presented to them honestly and fairly, and with respect for the privacy and sensibilities of individuals and communities?
Doesn’t the media have a public duty to provide fair news reports about matters of public interest?

Related story:
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/sites/SouthernCross/top-stories?more=9635

Oscar Romero on Advent

An Advent reflection from Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Advent should admonish us to discover
in each brother or sister that we greet,
in each friend whose hand we shake,
in each beggar who asks for bread,
in each worker who wants to use the right to join a union,
in each peasant who looks for work in the coffee groves,
the face of Christ.

Then it would not be possible
to rob them,
to cheat them,
to deny them their rights.

They are Christ, and whatever is done to them
Christ will take as done to him.

This is what Advent is: Christ living among us.

Who was Oscar Romero?
Archbishop Oscar Romero was murdered on March 24th 1980 as he was saying mass in his home town in El Salvador.
El Salvador had been ruled by a succession of corrupt and violent governments and the military organised 'death squads' to murder and terrorise people that worked for justice. When a Jesuit priest was murdered because of his work for social justice, Romero was deeply affected. He underwent a personal transformation and became a champion for justice and human rights.
In spite of constant threats from other bishops and Government he continued to protest and spoke about the need for the Church and Government in El Salvador to bring the gospel values to life.
Romero appealed to the military in the following speech: "The peasants you kill are your own brothers and sisters. When you hear the voice of the man commanding you to kill, remember instead the voice of God. Thou Shalt Not Kill …. In the name of God, in the name of our tormented people whose cries rise up to heaven, I beseech you, I beg you, I command you, stop the repression".
But they did not listen and the next day Romero was shot dead as he was saying Mass.

The links below provide more detail about the life and times of Oscar Romero.

http://www.catholicaustralia.com.au/page.php?pg=mission-aid1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/4376733.stm
http://salt.claretianpubs.org/romero/romero.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93scar_Romero

Heart Life VOICE

"Heart Life VOICE" is a new album of songs that challenge us to live out our faith radically through our speaking, giving, praying and doing.
The Heart Life VOICE album includes:

• Songs designed for worship and personal listening


• Biblical background material on the issues of justice and poverty


• 10 things you can do to reflect God’s justice and compassion

Find out more here... LINK

You are invited to the Adelaide launch of the Heart Life VOICE album – a compilation of songs that seeks to reflect God’s justice through music.
The launch concert is happening on Saturday November 15 at the Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre behind Fowlers Live on the corner of Morphett Street and North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000 (please note the change of venue).
7pm to 10.45pm.
It will feature live music from Andrew Kitchen (Antiskeptic), Josh Spier and band, Winters Lament, Dan Cameron and Catherine Mackinroth.
Tickets cost $10 and can be obtained from Venuetix, 8225 8888 or http://www.venuetix.com.au/
The ticket will get you a half price CD on the night ($10, normally $20).
Drinks can be purchased from the bar and snacks will be available.
Heart Life VOICE includes new songs from Australian and overseas artists including Phil Laeger, Andrew Kitchen, Steve Bevis, Scott Reed and Michelle Kay. If you believe that our worship should be linked to our action, then this is the album for you.
Find out more and preview the songs at http://www.heartlifevoice.org/ and http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/

The Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome

Read in detail about the basilica here...LINK

Reflecting on Mgr John's message in this week's bulletin reminded me of the famous thought from St. Teresa of Avila:
"Christ has no body on earth but yours;
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which He looks with compassion on the world;
yours are the feet with which He walks to do good;
yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.
Christ has no body now on the earth but yours."

Centering Prayer

Fr. William Meninger OCSO
Australian Tour 19—23 Nov 08

Centering Prayer

In 1974, Fr. Meninger, an American Trappist monk, began to teach retreats based on a 14 c spiritual classic, The Cloud of Unknowing. He recognized the book as a teaching manual for laypeople. St. Gregory the Great called this kind of prayer “resting in God”.

Southern Events:
“Centering Prayer”
Thurs 20 Nov, 7pm—9.30pm, St. Joseph’s Hall, St. George St. Willunga &
Fri 21 Nov, 10am—12.30, St. Martin’s Berwick St. Pt Noarlunga
Both sessions $15 or $10 concession
Contact: Tim Deslandes 8556 4686 or roysretreat@gmail.com

Adelaide Events:
“Julian of Norwich”
Fri 21 Nov, 7.30—9.30pm—$15 or $12 concession

“Introduction to Contemplative Meditation”
Sat 22 Nov 10am—4pm (with lunch & refreshments) $30 or $20

“Forgiveness as Fruits of Contemplation”
Sun 23 Nov 1—5pm, $20 or $18(with refreshments)

All 3 Adelaide events will be held at St. Phillips (Anglican), Cnr Galway Ave & Staffa St. Broadview

Contact: Elizabeth Connolly 8223 7499 ec@connollylegal.com
or Rev Caroline Pearce 8344 5255 chpearce@adam.com.au

LINK