Blog - Why Going to Church is important?
Reflecting on why attending church is essential, especially in a society where it often seems undervalued, one can't help but notice the low attendance rates—only about 15% of Australians attend religious services monthly, leaving a majority outside the regular church community. In a secular culture dominated by values like entertainment, success, and wealth, church offers a stark contrast, promoting charity and spiritual growth over material gain. Yet, the essence of 'church' extends beyond just a building; it embodies the community of God's people. While one can spiritually grow without physically going to church, similar to learning without schooling or eating without shopping, engaging directly in church activities enhances spiritual development much like driving a car teaches driving more effectively than theoretical study. Church is designed not just for individual growth but communal connection, where like branches on a vine, being part of a larger body enriches our faith. Despite its flaws and the serious issues it faces, such as clerical abuse and corruption, church remains a fundamental part of Christian life. It's where we learn forgiveness and community building, as Jesus taught us to forgive 'seventy-seven times,' demonstrating that church is both a place of learning and a source of spiritual support. Thus, attending church pushes us beyond comfort, challenging us to live out our faith actively and communally.
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Why Beatify Jean-Claude Colin?
The presentation titled 'Why Beatify John Claude Colin' discusses the potential beatification of Father Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Society of Mary (Marists). The speaker reflects on the various perspectives within the Marist community about recognizing Colin as a saint, mentioning other Marist figures who have been canonized or considered saintly, such as Saint Peter Chanel. The talk emphasizes that Colin himself understood and used the process of beatification and canonization, promoting it for others like Chanel.
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7 Leadership Shifts Pastors Need to Make in 2025
Pastor Carey’s '7 Leadership Shifts Pastors Need to Make in 2025' outlines practical strategies for church leaders to maximize their impact and reduce burnout. The first shift, maximizing your green zone, emphasizes protecting the 3-5 hours each day when your energy and productivity are highest for crucial tasks like sermon preparation. He advises leaders to schedule this time as a recurring appointment with themselves, avoiding distractions like random meetings or emails. The second shift encourages going all in on the January kickoff series, as early attendance patterns often set the tone for the year. A strong and well-prepared sermon series can create momentum that lasts through September. Additionally, fixing your first-time guest strategy is essential, with structured follow-ups that are personal, prayerful, and consistent to improve guest return rates.
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Song - Christmas Hallelujah - Caleb and Kelsey
I've heard about this baby boy. Who's come to earth to bring us joy. And I just want to sing this song to you. It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth. The minor fall, the major lift. With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
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Marist Laity Australia Newsletter - December 2024
The December 2024 newsletter of Marist Laity Australia reflects on the year’s key activities, including a May reflection day, the Marist Family Fourvière celebration, a November retreat, and ongoing online engagement. It highlights the September gathering of Marist leaders to discuss collaboration and the future of the Marist mission, emphasizing formation, inclusivity, and lay leadership. The newsletter also recounts a transformative immersion to Davao, the Philippines, and a spiritually enriching retreat at the Marist Hermitage. It concludes with reflections on Christmas traditions and community projects, underscoring themes of connection, service, and hope for the future of the Marist mission.
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Marist Millennium Pledge
The Marist Millennium Pledge is a Formation tool which can use to help structure our discernment and way of living as Marists. Across a total of 12 months a person is invited to discern about ten things where God is calling them to follow Mary and Jesus. These commitments will take time to emerge. Over several months, through our own prayer life and our encounters with spiritual friends or Marists these pledges will begin to appear.
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Documentary - Europes deadly migration policy
The documentary 'Europe's Deadly Migration Policy' explores the human cost of Europe’s border agreements with North African nations, focusing on the plight of migrants and refugees. Migrants, including families with small children, are routinely abandoned in the Sahara Desert or subjected to violence and harsh conditions at the hands of North African border forces funded and equipped by the European Union. These actions, often carried out in remote and unmonitored areas, result in tragic deaths, highlighting the devastating consequences of policies designed to deter migration.
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What Is Advent?
Advent is a season of waiting, hope, and anticipation, observed by Christians in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It mirrors Israel’s centuries-long wait for the promised Savior, as foretold in the Old Testament. Prophecies about a virgin’s son, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, and a child born in Bethlehem called Immanuel were fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, the true Light of the world. Advent symbolizes this waiting with the lighting of four candles—one each week—signifying hope, peace, joy, and love. Churches are adorned with blue, reflecting hope as they prepare to welcome their King. The season is not just about remembering Jesus' first coming at Christmas but also about anticipating His second coming on the Last Day. As Christians, we wait and pray for Christ to return, making Advent a time of reflection on the past and hope for the future.
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Woman On Her Death Bed - The Secret To Living - A Life of Purpose - and Meaning - Anita Moorjani
In her impactful presentation, Anita Moorjani shares her profound near-death experience (NDE), which provided her with significant insights into living a life filled with purpose and meaning. She emphasizes the importance of living authentically and fearlessly, rejecting societal pressures that push us to conform and hide our true selves. Moorjani describes her own life as previously dominated by fear—fear of illness, rejection, and not being enough—which she believes contributed to her developing cancer. During her NDE, she experienced an overwhelming sense of unconditional love and acceptance, which starkly contrasted with her fear-driven existence. This experience revealed to her that our physical ailments are often deeply connected to our emotional and spiritual states. She stresses that in the moments of her deepest despair and illness, she found clarity and understanding about her purpose in life, which was fundamentally about embracing love and rejecting fear. Post-NDE, Moorjani experienced a miraculous recovery, which she attributes to her newfound understanding and changes in her approach to life. She advocates for a life where decisions are made from a place of love rather than fear, encouraging others to recognize the transformative power of self-acceptance and genuine self-care. Her presentation is a call to live fearlessly, find joy in being true to oneself, and recognize the interconnection between our spiritual well-being and physical health. Moorjani's story is a testament to the healing that becomes possible when we align our lives with love and truth, challenging us to transform our own lives by shedding fear and embracing authenticity.
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Top Rated Web pages for December 2024 Number | Page | Likes | 1 | Steps to Act with Creation - Laudatio Si - Action Platform The video explores the integration of Christian ethical teachings, particularly from the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, and Jesus’ commandment of love, into various areas of environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and sustainable agriculture. It emphasizes that these ethical principles, rooted in Catholic theology, guide the care for creation, advocating for land conservation, ethical treatment of animals, and sustainable farming practices. Through organizations like the St. Ctii Conservation Center and Fraternity for Animal Respect, and initiatives such as the Farm of Francesco, Catholics are called to practice ecological responsibility, addressing issues like climate change, factory farming, and biodiversity loss. These actions reflect the moral framework of caring for both humanity and all sentient beings, following Pope Francis’ teachings in Laudato Si' on the interconnectedness of faith and environmental ethics?(steps to act). | 3 | 2 | Screen time - is limiting toddlers speech - and language development ABC News reported on a study examining the impact of screen time on toddler's speech and language development. Conducted over 2.5 years with 220 Australian households, the research, led by Dr. Mary Bru from the Ton Kids Institute, involved attaching a Fitbit-like device to toddlers and recording 16 hours of audio daily. The findings revealed that the average 3-year-old might miss out on hearing up to 1,100 words, making 840 vocalizations, and participating in nearly two conversations each day due to screen time. This phenomenon, referred to as 'technoference,' suggests that screens are limiting the amount of language, conversation, and connection children experience, which is crucial for early language development. Speech pathologist Katherine McKinley highlighted that approximately 23% of children are behind in language and literacy development by school age. However, the study also suggests that eliminating screen time is not necessary; rather, the focus should be on moderation and selecting educational content to support children's development. | 3 | 3 | Phones. ipads. Houston. We have a problem. When my dad got his license back in the 1930s the police officer asked him to drive around the block which took less than 5 minutes and he got his driver’s licence. There were real problems with car accidents, so as the decades rolled by the hurdles to get a car license in Australia got much harder. This was in the view to protect and keep safe people. | 3 | 4 | Blog - to be people of the Beatitudes Jesus did not say “Blessed are those who are happyâ€. Jesus did not say “Blessed are those that make moneyâ€. Jesus did not say “Blessed are those powerful and in controlâ€. Rather Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mournâ€. Rather Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are poorâ€. Rather Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are humble and persecutedâ€. It is so that the love of God might be seen through you and me. We are called to become instruments of God’s love. We need to realign our values and choices. We cannot do this alone. To be people of the Beatitudes is to choose the road less travelled. Not to choose suffering. But to choose to be instruments of hope. To be chose to be beacons of hope. So that the love of God can flow through our hearts. | 3 | 5 | Stages of Moral Development When a person chooses to ignore a religious view such as a Catholic view on sexual ethics, are they operating out of a lack of basic needs rather than seeing the higher needs? Debate and explain. | 3 |
Recent Comments Added
Song - How Deep The Fathers Love For Us Mary - What insights and perspectives might Mary have shared with the early believers about Jesus teachings, his ministry, and his ultimate sacrifice? (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-3-8)
Story - Saint John Vianney - Third Order Marist Church Documents - How can the sacrament of Reconciliation help us experience the merciful love of Jesus Christ and foster a deeper relationship with God? (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-3-8)
Canberra - Youth Ministry Equiping School Mary - I wonder how Marys relationship with the early Church evolved over time and what insights her continued presence and support brought to the ongoing mission of the Church. (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-3)
Movie - Cabrini Quote - Life is not a series of difficult decisions, it is a series of moments. And every moment, the choice is simple love or fear. - Shauna Niequist (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-3)
How to parent a teen from a teens perspective Family - I wonder how parents can encourage their children to have a positive mindset. (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-1)
Mindful Colouring - Woman at the wellSocial Justice - I wonder how engaging in regular moments of silence or meditation can help us cultivate a sense of inner stillness and clarity, enabling us to respond more effectively to the challenges and injustices we encounter in the world. (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-2-29)
Blog - Transforming Pain Quote - The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behavior lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behavior. - Scott Peck (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-2-19)
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