eConference

A National eConference was held to discuss the theme:- Holy Spirit – Giver of Life

Some of the best scholars and evangelists in Australia opened up some of the mystery that is the Holy Spirit.

Two keynote speakers, Fr Denis Edwards and Sr Janette Gray rsm, explored the Holy Spirit.
They were joined by Fr Chris Ryan MGL and Mrs Jan Heath, who showed how the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our lives today.

It is a valuable source of good quality adult faith formation and can be viewed online.
The program is archived at http://holyspirit.vividas.com

Euthanasia

"I ask the community to continue to love and care for those who are sick and suffering rather than abandoning
them to euthanasia or supporting them to suicide. Our ability to care says much about the strength of our society."

Archbishop Denis Hart

Read his full statement here

"In the interests of protecting the vulnerable members of our society, we must not legalise assisted suicide. We should instead deal with our deep seated fear of the dying process — this is where our real struggle for freedom lies rather than in the freedom to choose to demand that someone else end my life."

John Kleinsman
Director The Nathaniel Centre, the New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre.

Read his full statement here

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has re-issued a submission it lodged with a Senate inquiry into the Rights of the Terminally Ill.
 

The bishops said good palliative care that recognised the value and dignity of every human life is needed – not legislation to sweep the plight of the terminally ill under the carpet of society’s responsibilities.
We need to be “a society where all can be assured that they can be accepted as people whose lives are worthwhile and where that belief is backed up by health care and palliative care."

 

Read the Submission here

"It is a sadness that the first moves around our nation under our new political arrangement seem to be a promotion of death and abuse of marriage."

Gregory O'Kelly

Bishop of the Diocese of Port Pirie.

Read his full statement here

Hung parliament no place to be ham-fisted on euthanasia.

Fr Frank Brennan

Read his full statement here

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she is "conflicted" on the issue of euthanasia, finding it "almost impossible" to conceive how there could be appropriate safeguards.

Link

Social Justice Sunday

This Statement is issued at the conclusion of the United Nations’ International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the World Council of Churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence. Key goals have been the promotion of fundamental human rights, addressing wide varieties of violence – direct and structural – in homes, communities and in the international arenas, and learning from local and regional ways of overcoming violence.

In the Statement examples are given of men and women who are making their contribution to peace as individuals, in their communities, and in response to issues of national and global importance. There are countless others who work tirelessly, and often without recognition, to bring peace where discord or violence would otherwise prevail. As we celebrate Social Justice Sunday, let us remember that every effort we take to overcome violence is a response to Christ’s call to go into the world and bring a peace that the world alone cannot give.

The statement and supporting resources are available here:
http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/

Ten Steps towards being a Peacemaker:-

• Acknowledge the dignity of every human being
• Engage with others non-violently
• Forgive
• Reject violence
• Support and celebrate cultural diversity
• Provide a meeting place
• Give help and seek support
• Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
• Attend to prayer and your spiritual development
• Reflect on your day as a peacemaker

Ecology is at heart of Christian faith

In his keynote address at the National Assembly of Catholic Religious Australia, theologian Father Denis Edwards called for an ecological conversion that involves a new way of seeing, thinking and acting.

A priest of the Adelaide Archdiocese and Senior Lecturer in Systemic Theology at Flinders University, Father Denis has written extensively on science and theology and on the emerging field of ecological theology.
Some of his most recent books are:
How God Acts: Creation, Redemption, and Special Divine Action,
Breath of Life: A Theology of the Creator Spirit,
Ecology at the Heart of Faith.
Read more here

MIGRANT & REFUGEE WEEK: 23 – 29 AUGUST

An excellent resource for reflection can be found here at the Religious Leaders Institute.

The Catholic Bishops have also prepared information for parishes. It can be found here

Make Your Vote Count say Catholic Bishops

Make Your Vote Count say Catholic Bishops
An election Statement from the Bishops of Australia   August 9, 2010

“Catholic Bishops do not tell people who to vote for” Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, said today, speaking on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Australia.

“Bishops are aware that, at election time, many in the community look to church leaders for advice about relevant issues.” Archbishop Wilson said.
 “We are privileged to live in a democracy such as Australia where voting matters. We urge all people to take their vote seriously. We urge them to think carefully about the issues that are relevant in their local area and nationally. We urge them to think about the issues that are not just important for them but for the whole of Australia”.

 “The 2010 Federal Election is of great importance for the future and the welfare of all residents of Australia. Though many Catholics are rightly involved in the political process in all political parties, the Catholic Church in Australia does not take sides in party politics. But the Church proposes that politicians, political parties and political campaigns should all be judged against six essential criteria. Those six essential criteria are:
 ●The right of every person to human dignity;

●The right of every person to adequate food, shelter and protection;

●The right of every person to equality of access to education, health, employment and basic services;

●The right of every person, both present and future generations, to live in a safe, healthy and secure environment;

●The right (and the duty) of every person to contribute to society to the extent that they are able;

●The right of every person to live according to their own beliefs, to the extent that those beliefs do not impact upon the rights of others.”

Particular issues that Catholic Church Agencies see as important include:

Health: A Health System that is efficient and accessible for all; properly funded mental health services and an improvement in aged care services.
 Social Justice: Human dignity demands that a wealthy country such as Australia must define its priorities so that those who cannot cope in society are helped through government spending by those who can;
 Migrants and Refugees: All those seeking to live in Australia should be treated with dignity and in accordance with international law;
 Overseas Aid: Increase Australia’s overseas aid to 0.7% of GNI as a step towards recognising Australia’s plenty in the midst of great need;
 Women: To protect their dignity, steps must be taken to protect women from all forms of violence; pay equity should be improved and paid parental leave is an important step forward.
 Indigenous Australians: Until the most disadvantaged of our Indigenous citizens move beyond 3rd world living conditions, all Australians must feel ashamed and work together to change their conditions.
Disability: People with a disability are entitled to a quality of life equivalent to that of other Australians; serious effort must be made to improve access to services for people with disabilities and their carers.
 Environment: The debate about the environment must shift to consideration of the needs of future generations, not just to avoiding present inconveniences.
 Education: Schools funding should be available equitably and respect parental choice.
 Religious Liberty: In a society with a variety of faiths and non-faiths, we need to be respectful of others.
 Human Dignity: The value of human life must be respected at every stage.

 The Catholic Church in Australia seeks to contribute to building the Australian society through schools, universities, hospitals, social services, aged care, international relations and our response to poverty locally and in the developed world. Various Catholic Agencies (such as Catholic Health Australia and Catholic Social Services Australia ) have detailed Election Platforms. Specific details can be provided by contacting:
Fr Brian Lucas, General Secretary
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
ph 02 6201.9845
f 02 6247.6083
m 0419.243.959

Prayer

Mother Teresa reflected on the power of prayer.

The Fruit of Prayer
The fruit of silence is prayer
the fruit of prayer is faith
the fruit of faith is love
the fruit of love is service
the fruit of service is peace.


If We Pray
If we pray, we will believe;
If we believe, we will love
If we love, we will serve.

The Final Analysis  also known as "Do It Anyway"