17 December 2024
 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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14 November 2024
 Within the Religious Education high school classroom in Australia most students come from a plural context with different faith perspectives, values and life experiences. McCrindles research states 'Overall, only 9% of Christians actively practise and regularly attend a place of worship' (2022). That means out of a class of 28 students you might have 2 or 3 students who regularly attend church. This is well outside the mono Christian culture and context that existed in the past generations where there was high church attendance and a prevailing Christian world view that encouraged church attendance. |
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10 November 2024
 The idea of forming small groups of laity should not be too difficult to accept for members of a Society with Jean-Claude Colin as Founder. His vision and procedures in founding the Society were anything but amorphous and indeterminate. In his lecture 'Structures of Government' given to the Framingham workshops in 1980, Jean Coste observed that Colin was not a latter-day Confucius proposing a kind of general wisdom with which many people could identify. Colin did not found a spirit, nor even a kind of spirituality. He founded a congregation. And he spent his life formulating its distinctive features. The Society of Mary was meant to be something specific and to work for something specific. Colin's conception of the Society was not a bunch of individuals merrily and zealously going their own way. He conceived the Society as a corporate body from which each Marist is sent on mission. Anterior and superior to what any Marist may feel called to do is the work of Mary. |
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23 October 2024
 The video 'Should Catholics Vote?' encourages Catholics to actively participate in elections at all levels of government, emphasizing the importance of considering specific moral and social issues when evaluating candidates. Voters are urged to prioritize candidates who will protect life from conception, respect religious liberty, defend free speech, and work for peace, fiscal responsibility, and just immigration policies at the federal level. At the state level, candidates should oppose assisted suicide, promote economic security for families, and support parental rights in education. At the local level, voters are encouraged to support candidates who advocate for public safety, protect victims, and keep harmful materials out of public libraries. The video acknowledges that no candidate will perfectly align with Catholic values but stresses that this should not deter Catholics from voting, as each candidate has the potential to impact the community and the future. |
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22 October 2024
 Richard Swain, or Swainy, is a Wiradjuri man and river guide. He talks to Aaron and Holly about . I recon everywhere is sacred. It is hard to go somewhere that is not special in Australia. The relationship between people and country has been so long and so harmonious. That is why the country still speaks. Whenever you are walking through the bush and you are really relaxed. Birds are chirping. You might get off track. You don’t feel as good and the bush goes quiet. That is country speaking to you, When you get back on track things feel good again. That is your genealogical memory. You are from the Earth. She sings to you when you hear those songs. |
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19 October 2024
 Please pray this prayer for peace by Pope Francis |
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22 September 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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11 September 2024
 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). |
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08 September 2024
 We warmly invite you to a presentation titled 'From Darkness to Light - An Exploration of Domestic Violence' on Sunday, September 8, from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Holy Name of Mary Church Hall, Hunters Hill. This event features Ms. Livia La Rocca, a trained psychologist with 20 years of experience working with the Good Shepherd Sisters, and Ms. Nicole Yade, CEO of the Women and Girls Emergency Centre, a specialist homelessness service for women and families escaping domestic violence. Hosted by the Marist Family JPIC Committee, this insightful event requires an RSVP by September 1. We look forward to your presence and participation. |
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08 September 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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08 September 2024
 The program 'Doing the Work of Mary: An Invitation to the Marist Way' explores the mission of the Society of Mary, emphasizing mercy as the core of their calling. It begins with a prayer and references Scripture, Church documents, and Marist writings to support the idea that mercy is the essence of their mission. The chapter highlights how mercy is not just an action but a disposition of the heart, urging Marists to live out mercy in every moment. It discusses divine mercy's boundless nature and the importance of inclusiveness, urging readers to eliminate personal biases or 'those people' lists. Additionally, it reflects on the feminine dimension of God's mercy and how the Church should model Mary's maternal care. The chapter concludes with reflections on mercy in leadership and action, encouraging individuals to embody a merciful image in their interactions. |
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07 September 2024
 The program, Doing the Work of Mary: An Invitation to the Marist Way, specifically focuses on the concept of being 'hidden and unknown in the world' as a Marist ideal. It emphasizes discernment in distinguishing what is of God and what is not in the world, encouraging Marists to be socially, politically, and culturally aware as part of their mission. The chapter includes exercises that challenge readers to reflect on their adherence to God’s commandments, the worship of false gods, and the balance between freedom and truth. Ultimately, it calls for thoughtful engagement with the world through prayer, reflection, and a commitment to living a Christ-centered life. |
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05 September 2024
 In Chapter 2 of Doing the Work of Mary: An Invitation to the Marist Way, the concept of being 'hidden and unknown' is explored as a key aspect of Marist spirituality. This phrase, drawn from Father Colin’s teachings, emphasizes humility and service without seeking recognition or attention. It reflects a deep commitment to embodying the spirit of Mary, who, though largely unnoticed by her contemporaries, played a central role in the plan of salvation. This Marist ideal challenges tendencies toward arrogance and pride, calling instead for a life of quiet service, where the true focus remains on the Gospel and the work of God. |
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04 September 2024
 This program 'Doing the Work of Mary: An Invitation to the Marist Way' explores the concept of 'formation' as a critical step in the spiritual journey of Marists, emphasizing the importance of thinking, judging, feeling, and acting as Mary. It discusses how formation involves change, calling the laity to grow spiritually by embracing the spirit of Mary, characterized by humility, self-denial, intimate union with God, and ardent love of neighbor. The chapter encourages Marists to internalize these virtues and live them out in their daily lives through prayer, reflection, and specific actions that mirror Mary’s approach to life and faith. The chapter concludes with practical exercises and invitations for prayer, reading, and action to help individuals embody the Marist spirit more fully. |
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31 August 2024
 This formation course, from the Marist Laity Center in New Orleans, extends an invitation to explore the Marist Way through the enclosed formation program, 'Doing the Work of Mary: An Invitation to the Marist Way.' It recounts the humble beginnings of the Marist family in 1825, initiated by Marist Founder Father Jean-Claude Colin and a few others in France, who became known for their kindness and dedication to renewing the Church. The course emphasizes that this program offers a chance to discover a specific grace from God, allowing participants to live the Gospel as Mary did, with the potential for receiving many graces and much peace. The program has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by Marist leaders and is presented as a meaningful spiritual journey for those it resonates with. |
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26 August 2024
 The 'Social Justice Statement 2024 - 2025' presented by Bishop Vincent Long and Associate Professor Joel Hodge, titled “Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World,” addresses the critical need for truth as the foundation for peace in a world plagued by conflict and misinformation. The presentation emphasizes that many global crises arise from distorted truths and challenges individuals to reorient their understanding of truth and goodness towards their true purpose. The speakers stress the importance of personal responsibility in fostering peace, urging a shift from seeing others as enemies to recognizing them as brothers and sisters. They call for active engagement in peacemaking efforts through dialogue, encounter, and concrete actions inspired by the Gospel, highlighting that peace begins within and radiates outward into the community. |
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25 August 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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18 August 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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18 August 2024
 Julie and John Gottman, founders of the Gottman Institute, have spent their careers studying relationships, discovering that how couples fight, rather than whether they fight, determines long-term success. Their research shows that maintaining a positive-to-negative interaction ratio and focusing on understanding rather than winning during conflicts can strengthen relationships. They identified key negative behaviors, like criticism and stonewalling, that harm relationships, but also found that most conflicts are perpetual and must be managed rather than resolved. By using tools like the 'dreams within conflict' conversation, couples can deepen their understanding of each other, leading to more resilient relationships and contributing to a more peaceful society. |
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13 August 2024
 The Marist Laity Australia, inspired by the origins of the Marist mission in 1816 at the shrine of Fourvière, recently undertook a pilgrimage across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge to St Patrick’s Catholic Church Hill and Holy Name of Mary Hunters Hill. This modern Camino, led by Marist Laity leader Cathy Larkin, aimed to celebrate the Marists' commitment to Catholic mission and unity. Participants, including Marist fathers, sisters, and lay members, walked to honor their spiritual heritage and to embody the spirit of Mary through simplicity, inclusivity, and a dedication to social justice. This pilgrimage symbolizes the continuation of the Marist mission across generations, from its roots in France to its flourishing in Australia. |
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11 August 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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27 July 2024
 Hunters Hill welcomes Tonga 'united we stand' the hunters hill community would like to invite you all to join the Tongan community for an afternoon of fellowship, food and family. |
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19 July 2024
 Marist Laity Australia has organized a 40-day Novena and Fast dedicated to praying for peace in regions including Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Myanmar/Burma, Yemen, Ethiopia, Syria, and Afghanistan. Participants are encouraged to engage in daily meditation, focusing initially on their breathing followed by scripture reading and prayer. If possible, attending daily mass and praying for peace as a family or community are also key components of the Novena. Participants are asked to fast by skipping one meal a day, substituting it with bread and water, and keeping other meals light. Additionally, engaging in the sacrament of reconciliation, to foster a deeper spiritual commitment throughout this period. |
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14 July 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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07 July 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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30 June 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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23 June 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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16 June 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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07 June 2024
 The video titled 'BEAUTY of STILLNESS - Be QUIET - Be MINDFUL' features a reflective narration on the importance of solitude, meditation, and compassion. The speaker shares personal experiences of feeling more connected and real when alone or in quiet surroundings rather than in the company of others. He emphasizes the clarity and simplicity he finds in solitude, which helps him cope with the complexities of social interactions and personal anxieties. |
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02 June 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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25 May 2024
 In this seven-part video series, Sister Mary Catherine Pedrosi delves into the interlocking global goals of the Laudato Si' Action Platform, emphasizing the urgent need for holistic environmental and social reforms. Each video explores a different aspect of ecological and human interconnectedness—from fostering ecological education and spirituality to advocating for sustainable economics and simple lifestyles. Sister Mary Catherine underscores the necessity of transformative changes that respect and value all creation, aligning our daily lives, community actions, and global policies with the principles of care for our common home. Through practical steps and spiritual reflection, the series calls on individuals and communities to commit to actions that promote environmental sustainability and social justice, inspiring a collective movement towards a more harmonious and sustainable future. |
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19 May 2024
 Father John Thornhill reflects on the significant milestone of the 150th anniversary of the Society of Mary, emphasizing a revitalized commitment to their foundational mission as envisioned by their early leaders, particularly Jean-Claude Colin. This renewal is seen as a return to the genuine zeal for mission that characterized the Society’s early expansion and effectiveness in addressing the urgent pastoral needs of the time, inspired by Mary’s role in the Church. Thornhill notes a shift from a period of introspective institutional maintenance back to a dynamic engagement with the Church’s mission, advocating a refounding of the Society to realign with its original purpose and adapt to contemporary challenges. This refounding involves recognizing and embracing the unique mission of the Society, to renew the Church in Mary’s image, addressing today’s spiritual and pastoral needs with new vigor and a clear sense of identity. |
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19 May 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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12 May 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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11 May 2024
 In her TED presentation, 'You think you have a growth mindset, but do you?', Luna Leverett explores the common misconceptions about growth mindset and its practical application in everyday life. Leverett begins by defining what a true growth mindset entails, distinguishing it from the mere positive thinking that many mistake it for. She emphasizes that a growth mindset is not just about expecting growth and success but also embracing challenges, failures, and the continuous process of learning that leads to real change. |
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05 May 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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30 April 2024
 Each week we produce a Mindful colouring resource focused on the weeks Gospel. We encourage you to pray as a family and community. Please join our email list and get regular updates... |
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24 April 2024
 In her TED Talk, 'You can be happy without changing your life,' Cassie Holmes, a professor specializing in happiness and time management, shares her personal journey grappling with time poverty—a state where one feels there's never enough time to accomplish everything. Holmes narrates a particularly overwhelming day where the demands of her professional and personal life made her question her ability to maintain her pace without sacrificing joy and fulfillment. This moment of exhaustion on a train ride home led her to a critical realization about her relationship with time and sparked her interest in exploring whether having more free time equates to greater happiness. |
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24 April 2024
 Earth Day explains the significance and history of this annual celebration every April 22nd, initiated in the United States in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson to heighten environmental awareness, following inspiration from the environmental degradation observed in the 1960s. It highlights that despite Earth Day's role in fostering improvements such as the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and subsequent environmental legislation, many challenges like climate change and plastic pollution persist. The video features voices like Katia Bannister, a climate activist who criticizes the performative aspect of Earth Day, suggesting it often results in superficial engagement rather than substantive, ongoing action. It also addresses the concept of 'greenwashing,' where companies appear eco-friendly without making genuine changes. The piece calls for a more revolutionary approach to environmental activism, reminiscent of the passion and urgency that characterized the early days of Earth Day, urging for continuous, daily efforts rather than limiting actions to just one day a year. |
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23 April 2024
 In her TED Talk titled 'The three secrets of resilient people,' Lucy Hone shares profound insights from both her professional research and personal tragedy. Hone, who began her resilience research at the University of Pennsylvania, unexpectedly applied her academic knowledge to her personal life following the tragic death of her daughter, Abby, in a car accident. This devastating event tested her resilience theories in the most personal way possible. Lucy discusses the universality of suffering and the importance of understanding that adversity is an inherent part of human life. This realization helps individuals to not feel unfairly victimized when faced with personal challenges. |
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22 April 2024
 The ABC Australian Story about Dr. Anne O'Neill offers a profound and emotional narrative of her resilience and recovery following a harrowing family tragedy. At 24, Dr. O'Neill was stalked, harassed, and intimidated by her estranged husband for 18 months. This culminated in a tragic night when he broke into her home and fatally shot their two children before turning the gun on himself, leaving Dr. O'Neill severely wounded and ultimately leading to the amputation of her leg. |
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21 April 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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06 April 2024
 The video discusses the evolution and current state of Lay Marists, a community dedicated to Marist spirituality, highlighting its growth and adaptation over time. Initially, Lay Marists were closely associated with clergy and religious congregations, meeting in groups through parishes, schools, or communities. However, the introduction of the internet and the establishment of an online community have broadened the ways in which individuals discover and engage with Marist spirituality. |
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04 April 2024
 The Christlife Podcast's second edition for 2024, presented by Tracey DeBlais from the Marist Association of St Marcel and Champagnat, offers a comprehensive look into the March edition of their Christ Life publication and updates from the Marist Association. The podcast features a segment with Stuart Maclaury, Acting Director of Mission and Catholic Identity at Newman College, Perth, as part of the 'Meet a Marist' series. Richard Quinn, Executive Director of the Marist Association, contributes as the editorialist, highlighting various articles, announcements, and reflections not fully covered in the audio format. |
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01 April 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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30 March 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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17 March 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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09 March 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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08 March 2024
 In this blog, the author emphasizes the importance of family prayer, not as a duty to God but as a necessity for our spiritual growth and connection with Him. Drawing on biblical teachings, they underscore the significance of praying with the right intentions and the transformative power of submitting to God's will over our own. The blog highlights how salvation and spiritual growth are fostered through relationships—mirroring the Holy Family's example—and how prayer serves as a journey that brings families closer to God and each other. The author reflects on the challenges modern families face in finding time for prayer amidst busy schedules, advocating for intentional leadership within the family to cultivate a regular prayer life. Ultimately, the piece calls for a deeper engagement with prayer as a means to experience God's love and mercy in our relationships, urging families to become beacons of hope and vessels of divine mercy by living out their faith together. |
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05 March 2024
 Natasha Stott Despoja AO discusses the critical issue of domestic and family violence, highlighting society's high tolerance for disrespect, which can escalate to violence and death. Despite increased awareness and reporting of domestic violence, the number of women dying violently remains steady, with at least one woman murdered every week. Stott Despoja calls for community action to change these statistics, emphasizing the need for primary prevention. This involves addressing the underlying attitudes and behaviors that lead to violence, striving for gender equality, and fostering respect across all societal sectors. She points out that while there is no single solution, taking responsibility at an individual level is crucial. As parents, workers, friends, and leaders, people must oppose sexist behavior and promote positive change. The conversation also touches on recent financial investments by political leaders in combating this violence, with Stott Despoja expressing cautious optimism. She stresses the need for politicians to model respectful relationships and behavior, given the vast social and economic cost of violence against women, estimated at $21 billion per year. She concludes by acknowledging the significant work that remains to be done and thanks organizations leading the fight against this pervasive issue. |
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03 March 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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25 February 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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20 February 2024
 This Lenten reflection offers a profound journey of awakening and transformation, prompted by a moment of realization in a grocery store that leads to a deeper awareness of global inequality and personal privilege. It uses statistics to illustrate the stark disparities in the world and personal anecdotes from literature to humanize these issues, highlighting the pervasive nature of poverty and the luxury of comfort enjoyed by a few. |
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20 February 2024
 The TED Talk delves into the neuroscience of learning, highlighting six critical elements for enhancing the learning process: attention, alertness, sleep, repetition, breaks, and mistakes. The speaker begins by explaining neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form new neural connections in response to learning. This foundational concept underscores the importance of repeated practice and exposure to strengthen these connections. |
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18 February 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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18 February 2024
 This video conveys a profound message about human interconnectivity, community importance, resilience, and finding purpose amidst adversity, particularly during the global pandemic. The speaker emphasizes that regardless of our financial status, humans inherently require companionship and support from others. They highlight how interactions with people serve as a reminder of our shared humanity and interconnectedness, reinforcing the value of community in shaping our identities and futures. |
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11 February 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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09 February 2024
 The conversation between Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, moderated by Jeffrey Goldberg, covers a wide range of topics centered around happiness, personal growth, and the application of metacognition. They discuss the importance of facing and understanding one's emotions, the benefits of gratitude, and how service to others enhances personal happiness. Oprah shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how she deals with challenges and negativity, emphasizing the value of self-reflection and gratitude. Brooks explains psychological concepts in accessible terms, providing insights into achieving happiness through understanding and managing one's emotions. They both advocate for the idea that happiness is a skill that can be developed through deliberate practice and mindfulness. |
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05 February 2024
 The ABC clip 'On the front lines of surveying homelessness across America' covers volunteers across the U.S. participating in the Point in Time count, a federally required survey to assess and respond to homelessness. The report highlights challenges, such as undercounting, the impact of the count on funding, and the efforts to address homelessness at local, state, and federal levels. Concerns about the accuracy and timing of the count are discussed, alongside the initiatives to improve housing and support for homeless populations. |
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04 February 2024
 The blog reflects on the motivations behind why over half of Australians participate in the lottery, suggesting that it may be driven by a desire to escape reality or by greed, and questioning the morality behind such desires. It then draws from a biblical passage where Jesus advises a wealthy man to sell all his possessions to follow Him, prompting a deeper introspective question of who or what we prioritize in our lives. The blog contrasts the wealth of the Marist founders with their choice to serve the poor, advocating for a similar path of service rather than seeking fulfillment in material wealth. It concludes by suggesting that true contentment and purpose are found not in accumulating wealth or buying lottery tickets, but in serving the poor and aligning our hearts with God's will. |
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31 January 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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26 January 2024
 A sexual abuse survivor and Australian of the Year 2021. The 26-year-old who helped lead the fight to overturn a law preventing sexual assault survivors from speaking out has been named Australian of the Year for 2021. |
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26 January 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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15 January 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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14 January 2024
 The blog entry titled 'Reimagining Church' explores the concept of 'church' beyond its contemporary association with a large institutional body, urging a return to its roots as 'the people of God' and an inclusive family beyond mere blood relations. It reflects on the character of Peter, a family man and fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be the foundation of his church—a figure with flaws and personal struggles, as depicted in cultural narratives like the TV series 'The Chosen.' The blog critiques the decline in church attendance in Western countries, citing issues like sexual abuse scandals, secularism, lack of women's leadership, and polarization between conservatism and progressivism. However, it suggests that these issues, while significant, are not the core crisis. It advocates for a more engaged and familial concept of church, influenced by Pope Francis's idea of a 'Synodal Church' that is conversational and journey-oriented. The entry calls for action and dialogue within the church as a family, recognizing that like Michelangelo's unfinished David, the church is a work in progress. It concludes by questioning the reader's personal definition of 'church' and encourages reimagining it as an active, family-oriented community where God's will is pursued collectively. |
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03 January 2024
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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01 January 2024
 In his presentation 'What the Fossil Fuel Industry Doesn't Want You To Know,' Al Gore discusses the urgent climate crisis and the significant obstacles in addressing it, particularly focusing on the fossil fuel industry. He highlights how this industry has consistently opposed climate legislation at various levels, using fraud and falsehoods to mislead the public and maintain control. Gore criticizes the industry for its lack of sincere commitment to reducing emissions, pointing out the conflicts of interest in key climate policy-making forums. He calls for a stronger global response to overcome these obstacles and accelerate progress towards sustainable energy solutions. |
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31 December 2023
 Relationships, especially with family, can provide both great joy and painful sorrow. And often, the relationship between a mother and daughter is the most sensitive. Yet the ability to understand another's point of view, their fragility, and your own perceptions can dramatically improve any relationship. And perhaps the most powerful insight of all is forgiveness. Having the ability to forgive not only others, but the ability to forgive yourself, is one of life's greatest superpowers. Idea: The Power of Forgiveness: Making Waves in Human Interaction by Forgiving and Focusing on the Future. |
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31 December 2023
 In his presentation 'How to Make Climate Radical Action the New Normal,' Al Gore emphasizes the urgent need to address the climate crisis, which he identifies as a critical conflict between human civilization and Earth's ecological systems. He highlights the devastating impact of greenhouse gases, equating their heat-trapping effect to multiple atomic bombs exploding daily, and points to extreme weather events and rising temperatures as undeniable evidence of climate change. Gore underscores the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities and stresses the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, to combat the crisis. He advocates for a transformative approach towards sustainability and renewable resources, urging for a reformed capitalism that considers environmental impacts and calling for global collective action to achieve net-zero emissions and prevent further ecological damage. |
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31 December 2023
 In his presentation on making New Year's resolutions, Father Mark-Mary of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal shares a technique for setting and keeping resolutions. He emphasizes the importance of having resolutions that are concrete, clear, convenient, and accountable. Instead of vague goals like being more patient or improving prayer life, he suggests specific, measurable actions, such as praying an extra 10 minutes a day or exercising patience at least once daily. He highlights the convenience of tracking progress in a simple, sustainable way, like using a Google Doc for daily check-ins on specific goals, including sleep times, meals, exercise, and prayer. Father Mark-Mary also stresses the importance of accountability, suggesting sharing goals and progress with someone else for regular review. He concludes by reminding viewers that good intentions combined with a solid strategy can lead to transformative growth in virtue, prayer, and overall holistic health. |
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30 December 2023
 The YouTube video 'The Year We Left' seems to be a heartfelt message about environmental care and the power of collective action. The speakers reflects on the type of world we will leave for future generations, expressing hope inspired by a community of millions who act to make the world better. The speakers emphasizes the importance of staying hopeful despite challenges and highlights the significance of small actions like signing petitions, sharing online, or donating. |
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23 December 2023
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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23 December 2023
 Bishop Vincent Long's Christmas message for 2023 reflects on the journey of synodality within the Diocese of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, emphasizing a move towards a Church of communion, participation, and mission. He draws parallels between this ecclesial vision and the radical newness of the Incarnation at Christmas, which challenges structures of domination and calls for a new era of justice, love, and compassion. The message encourages an ethic of communion with all life forms and a commitment to justice and reconciliation, aligning with the marginalized and working towards a future inspired by the God of vulnerability and radical communion. |
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21 December 2023
 In the midst of an unusual El Niño that has replaced Australia's typical pre-Christmas heat with unexpected rain, the ongoing destruction of natural habitats for urban development starkly contrasts with the festive consumerism of the season. Reflecting on the teachings of Protestant theologian Sally McFague, who views the Earth as the 'womb of God,' the blog calls for a Christmas awakening to the sacredness of creation. It suggests that honoring the Incarnation—God becoming flesh—should extend to a profound environmental stewardship, recognizing Christ in all aspects of creation and embracing our responsibility to preserve and revere the natural world as an act of divine worship. |
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20 December 2023
 The video by Franciscan Father Casey Cole discusses the controversies surrounding Pope Francis, highlighting the division among those who view him as an exceptional pontiff and those who deem him a heretic. Father Casey contends that Pope Francis isn't confusing but rather, misunderstanding arises from poor catechesis among Catholics, a leadership style that emphasizes dialogue over dictation, and the complexity of moral issues that don't lend themselves to black and white answers. Father Casey argues that the confusion attributed to Pope Francis is exacerbated by the ill-will of his enemies who spread misinformation. To remedy the situation, Father Casey suggests better catechesis, an open-minded approach to Church leadership, a nuanced understanding of morality, and a discerning engagement with the sources of Church news and teachings. He invites those critical of Pope Francis to read his works with an open mind and trust in the Holy Spirit, rather than follow fringe leaders. |
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16 December 2023
 Pray this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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14 December 2023
 'The Secret of Fatima explained' EWTN Vaticano delves into the second part of the secrets of Fatima. It discusses the Virgin Mary's call for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and the promise of peace if her requests are met. The program features an interview with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who clarifies the Church's response to this request and discusses the consecrations performed by Popes Pius XII and John Paul II. The text also touches on Sister Lucia's writings, including her views on Mary as co-redemptrix and the responses to her letters, providing a theological and spiritual perspective on the Fatima message. The transcript further explores the ongoing relevance of the message of Fatima, emphasizing themes of conversion, intercession, and peace. Sister Lucia's final interactions with Cardinal Bertone are also recounted, offering personal insights into her experiences and the enduring impact of the Fatima apparitions. |
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03 December 2023
 Scott Tinker's presentation, titled 'An Honest and Sensible Conversation about Global Energy' focuses on the complexities of energy access, security, and its impact on global development, particularly in less affluent regions. He emphasizes the critical role of energy in fostering human flourishing and economic growth. Tinker begins by discussing the interplay between faith, science, and doubt, highlighting the importance of skepticism in scientific inquiry. He then delves into the global issues of energy, economy, and climate change, arguing that these are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. |
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26 November 2023
 In the YouTube clip 'How to Forgive People' by Bishop Robert Barron, the discussion revolves around the Christian approach to forgiveness. Bishop Barron, drawing from Tim Keller’s article and other sources, highlights several key aspects of forgiveness from a Christian perspective: Forgiveness as a Practice: Forgiveness is emphasized as a set of practices rather than primarily an emotion. It is about doing, not just feeling. Barron agrees with the post-liberal idea that practice precedes emotional changes. |
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24 November 2023
 The YouTube clip 'Fratelli Tutti' features a summary of a letter from Pope Francis titled 'Fratelli Tutti,' which translates to 'Brothers and Sisters All.' In this letter, Pope Francis urges people to come together and build a better world based on fraternal love. |
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22 November 2023
 This Synod Symposium discusses the concerns and issues related to the synodal process from various perspectives. The speakers highlight experiences of laypeople in the church, pointing out discrepancies and disappointments in how the synodal process has been managed. There's a particular focus on the lack of real listening and the perceived manipulation of the laity, as well as a failure to adopt co-responsibility in church governance. |
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19 November 2023
 Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring the first week of advent through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer. |
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19 November 2023
 The YouTube clip titled 'Jonathan Pageau encourages World Leaders to pursue the supreme Good' presents a speech in which Jonathan Pageau addresses the theme of the 'supreme Good' in the context of a meaning crisis similar to one experienced by ancient Athens. He references the philosophical debates of that era, particularly the ideas of Plato who posited that behind the physical world are eternal forms, with the highest being the form of the Good. For Plato, everything exists to participate in the Good. |
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09 November 2023
 Today's youth have inherited a big, unprecedented climate problem to solve -- and the eco-anxiety to go with it. Gen-Zer and activist Clover Hogan knows the struggle firsthand, but she also understands the path to climate action starts with the one thing you can control: your mindset. She explains why challenging the stories that keep you feeling powerless can help you take the first step to protecting the planet for generations to come. |
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27 October 2023
 Over the weekend of 13 - 15 October 2023, the Diocese of Parramatta successfully concluded its inaugural Synod, a momentous event that brought together 280 faithful from across Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and beyond to discuss the future of the local Church. |
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18 October 2023
 Prayer - Invitation to Pray for Peace - A Rosary |
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14 October 2023
 On Sunday September 3, 2023, the Marist Justice Peace and Integral Ecology Committee (JPIC) hosted the former ABC Journalist and presenter Kerry O’Brien. The gathering started with an acknowledgement of Country by sister Margaret Tisch, followed by a prayer led by Father Kevin Bates.Lay Marist Cathy Larkin led a discussion with Kerry O’Brien using Questions and Answers. |
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14 October 2023
 The video explores the importance of recognizing and amplifying the Aboriginal voice in Australia, beginning with the historical misconception of the land being empty when British colonial settlers arrived in 1788. This led to generations of neglect despite the Aboriginal people's 60,000-year-old civilization. The video discusses the exclusion of the Aboriginal voice in the Australian Constitution and policies of cultural assimilation in the early 1900s. It highlights the 1967 amendment recognizing Indigenous peoples and ongoing support from religious groups. The establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy symbolizes Indigenous advocacy, and the video mentions advisory bodies like NACC and ATSIC. It concludes by emphasizing the need for local Aboriginal voice committees to address disparities, marking a monumental step in recognizing and addressing the needs of Australia's Indigenous population. |
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14 October 2023
 For some time now, I have been convinced that I will cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Referendum on the Voice. |
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03 September 2023
 Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking Q&A session with esteemed former ABC journalist, Kerry O'Brien, as we delve into the topic of the Australian Aboriginal Voice to Parliament. Participants will have the unique opportunity to pose a series of questions related to the establishment of an Aboriginal body with national representation, advising Parliament on crucial Aboriginal issues. Kerry O'Brien will offer insightful responses to questions like the specific powers and responsibilities of the Aboriginal Voice, ensuring diverse representation, potential impacts on legislation, and addressing conflicts between recommendations and parliamentary interests. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights and explore the path towards a more inclusive and unified Australia. |
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03 September 2023
 In the 2022 Marian Lecture delivered by Father Frank Brennan, he began by highlighting the unique challenges faced by the younger generation in Australia today. He emphasized that they are the first generation since World War II that does not have the expectation of a materially better life than their parents. Young people are grappling with existential issues such as climate change, the aftermath of the pandemic, and global conflicts like the situation in Ukraine. Father Brennan called for a deeper consideration of human dignity, particularly in the context of these challenges. |
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03 September 2023
 The Social Justice Statement calls for a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, emphasizing the importance of listening, learning, and loving in building a more equitable society. It highlights the need for Catholics and all Australians to understand the history, support the voice referendum, and work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to bring about healing and justice. Love and respect are at the heart of this commitment, offering hope for a better future where the voices and experiences of First Australians are valued and heard. |
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09 August 2023
 This year Australia will hold a referendum on whether to change the constitution and ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ views are better represented in Parliament. Is the Voice about giving Indigenous Australians a right to express their views on policy through representatives elected by their communities? Or would the Voice provide cover for an activist government to legislate radical policy with no genuine democratic consent?On the affirmative side were Australia’s first Indigenous Senior Counsel, Anthony McAvoy, and constitutional lawyer Shireen Morris. Against the proposition were Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and head of CIS Indigenous Forum Nyunggai Warren Mundine.Referendum question: The question to be put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum will be: “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?†|
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05 August 2023
 The Australian Voice is a proposed alteration to the Australian Constitution aims to recognize the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice. This initiative comes as a response to historical injustices and a desire to empower Indigenous communities with greater influence over decisions that directly impact their lives and well-being. The concept of an Indigenous voice is rooted in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was born out of the 2017 Uluru National Constitutional Convention. During this gathering, Indigenous leaders across the country came together to address the longstanding issues faced by their communities and to chart a path towards greater self-determination and reconciliation. |
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04 August 2023
 An eminent group of retired judges, who form the National Integrity Committee auspiced by the Australia Institute, have penned an open letter to the people of Australia in support of a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum on the Voice.The moving letter, to be published in newspapers across Australia, emphasizes how the Voice will deliver on the call made in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and enrich our democracy.As a letter which we think should be read by all Australians, we send you the following. An Open Letter to the Australian PublicThe Voice to Parliament would enhance Australian governance. July 31 2023. From the Australia Institute. www.australiainstitute.org.au |
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25 July 2023
 Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring a story of pilgrimage with Saiint James through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer. |
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24 July 2023
 Often, I ask my kids the questions “do you want to go to church?†98% of the time they respond “noâ€. As a father I want them to desire with their heart a willingness to go to church. Not because they have to or not because they are forced too. Sometimes I feel quite lost in this situation. I often go to church alone. In the Catholic church, going to church can be like going to Macdonald’s. We go in quickly. We go out quickly. We don’t talk to many people. There is a man dressed up in suite red and yellow who smiles and waves. In the Catholic church the colours are a little bit different, maybe, white, green, red. He smiles. Are we meant to smile back? In the time in MacDonald’s, conversations do not have time to go very deep. This is a culture of consumerism. What do I want? What would you like from the MacDonald’s menu? Clearly the old Catholic church seems not to cut it. At least not like French fries. |
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23 July 2023
 In Sydney on July 23rd 2023 over 100 people are partaking in the celebrations of Fourviere. They will begin at Bradfield park North Sydney for the acknowledgment of country. will then walk across the harbour bridge like those first Marists who climbed the 800 steps at Fourviere. There will be a presentation at St Patrick's Church Hill, the first Marist church in Australia and the sharing of a meal. The pilgrims will then join a special Fourviere bus to Hunters Hill where there will be a Fourviere Liturgy and Final celebration.But for those who cannot join these celebrations, please join us as we celebrate online and invite you to join the Marist Millennium Pledge. |
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21 July 2023
 In the run-up to the referendum on an indigenous voice, fact-checkers from RMIT Fact Lab and AAP Fact Check have been diligently examining claims made online. Notably, they have observed that the majority of false claims appear to be originating from the 'no' supporters. One of the primary subjects under scrutiny is the campaign group Advance Australia, known for its conservative views and significant investment in Facebook ads related to the voice issue. RMIT flagged several of Advance Australia's ads, finding them misleading and lacking context. For instance, one ad claimed that the voice would grant indigenous people special rights, which was deemed false. Another misleading claim was made by Advance Australia, arguing that race is not mentioned in the Australian Constitution, despite the presence of references related to race in sections 25 and 51(xxvi). |
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20 July 2023
 Please pray this healing prayer both individually, as a family or as a community. |
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10 July 2023
 In this interview, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott discusses his opposition to the proposed Indigenous Voice and constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. Abbott argues that the Voice, as currently conceived, would entrench race-based separatism and undermine the unity of the country. He expresses concerns about the power and influence the Voice would have, suggesting that it could become a de facto veto over government decisions. Abbott emphasizes his belief in equal treatment for all Australians and questions the need for a separate Indigenous body. |
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09 July 2023
 This YouClip video by 'Arrilla Indigenous Consulting' provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of the Voice to Parliament in Australia. The Voice is a proposed group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who aim to have input into how government programs work and make policies with Indigenous peoples rather than for them. Enshrining the Voice into the Constitution is seen as a practical action that would better protect its use and responsibilities to the government, while also recognizing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia's Constitution. |
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03 July 2023
 The video explains the Indigenous Voice Referendum. Why do people want a voice in the first place? Take the white Australia policy or the Stolen Generation. These were government policies that may the lives of indigenous people much harder. Combine that with issues caused by colonisation and a lot of indigenous people are worse off than the broader population in terms of health, wealth and education. Closing the gap has been the aim of a lot of different governments. But, nothing has made a huge difference so far. As of last year, the gap is mostly getting wider. Of all the areas being measured, just a few are on track, some are going backward. Indigenous people are still living much shorter lives. That is where the Voice comes in. Getting Indigenous people to have a say to what happens to them. Sometimes called self-determination. Is seen as one of the best ways to close the gap. |
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06 June 2023
 Learn guitar with new church music |
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05 June 2023
 Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring the Gospel from John 3 through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer. |
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28 May 2023
 Will you help us celebrate 'Embrace the Wind – Marist Pentecost Prayer Event' through an online Zoom prayer? We would like to invite you to join us together with Marist Laity Australia on Sunday May 28 at 7.30 pm (Sydney time) to celebrate in person. We will pray, sing, reflect and discuss together. This online zoom forum enables us to enter conversation and dialogue with each other. To listen to the word of God, not just within ourselves but other Marists from across the world. |
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21 May 2023
 In 'An Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Considering a Constitutional Bridge,' Frank Brennan offers an urgent and multifarious contribution to the national debate on Indigenous constitutional recognition in Australia. As a white Jesuit with a long history of advocating for Indigenous Australians, Brennan presents his extensive involvement and expertise on the subject. He discusses his personal experiences and disagreements with prominent figures, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the historical significance and special place of First Nations Peoples in Australian society. Brennan highlights the need for a high-quality, bipartisan process in designing the Indigenous Voice and achieving success in the referendum, expressing concerns about deficiencies in the current approach and the potential consequences of a flawed process. Despite the challenges and divisiveness, Brennan remains committed to the cause and hopes for a more civil and open approach to shaping Australia's future. |
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21 May 2023
 According to an ABC News report, researchers are once again raising concerns about the state of the climate and warning that temperatures are expected to reach record levels in the next five years. The World Meteorological Organization states that there is a two-thirds chance the global average temperature will surpass the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time between now and 2027. This breach of the limit signifies the rapid acceleration of climate change and the increasingly severe impacts it will have. The continued high-level emissions from human activities and the emergence of an El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific contribute to the rising risk. The report emphasizes that even temporary breaches of the 1.5-degree threshold have significant environmental consequences, including more extreme weather events and devastating impacts. Scientists are calling for urgent action to reduce emissions and prevent further damage. The article concludes by stressing the importance of not becoming desensitized to these alarming warnings and highlights Australia's vulnerability to climate-related disasters. It urges the government, businesses, and policymakers to respond swiftly and take responsibility for reducing emissions and addressing the issue. |
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30 April 2023
 We would like to invite you to join us together with Marist Laity Australia on Sunday April 30 at 7 pm (Sydney time) to celebrate in person. We will pray, sing, reflect and discuss together. This online zoom forum enables us to enter conversation and dialogue with each other. To listen to the word of God, not just within ourselves but other Marists from across the world. |
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22 April 2023
 Simon Sinek presents a simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question 'Why?' His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers -- and as a counterpoint Tivo, which (until a recent court victory that tripled its stock price) appeared to be struggling. |
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25 March 2023
 Prayer this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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24 March 2023
 Prayer this prayer with your family, community, school or friends. Download the prayer. PRINT the prayer for each person. Spend 15 minutes praying through mindfulness. In Drawing, Colouring, Writing, Sharing, Discussion, and Song. Tell your family. Set a time. Pray mindfully. |
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18 March 2023
 Father Jean-Claude Colin, the first Superior General of the Society of Mary, once described his way of thinking and acting. He said, †I place myself in the home of Nazareth and from there I see all that I have to do.†|
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12 March 2023
 Today our mission must radically change. That mission is traumatic, ongoing, and accelerating. In less than 200 years. Just a blink in geological time we humans have burnt so much coal, gas and oil, and destroyed so many forests, that our planets climate has become unstable. Sea levels are rising, oceans are heating, acidifying, and filling with plastic. Large populations of animals have vanished, and many species are going extinct. People world wide are struggling with extreme heat waves, droughts, floods and storms. Countless people are going hungry and being forcibly displaced because of climate shocks. |
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08 March 2023
 Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer. |
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07 March 2023
 Mr Keating makes his students leave their classroom for his first class with them, and so tells them that they should 'seize the day' - live life, before you eventually die. From Dead Poets Society. |
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25 February 2023
 Join Andrew and Sarge pray the Rosary. |
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12 February 2023
 Our hearts were enflamed when we considered our good fortune in being the first children of Mary, and when we considered the great needs of the people. |
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11 February 2023
 As many thousands of people were killed. There are many thousands exposed in sleeping outside in freezing conditions. The Turkey and Syrian governments are asking the International Community to respond by sending support and aid. Please watch these videos to make people aware of what is going on. Please give to the many organisations such as Caritas and UNHCR who have people on the ground helping these people. |
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09 February 2023
 Script by Marist Father Edwin Keel sm. Our text is from the Book of Revelations. This is a book of visions, dreams and nightmares! In our text we hear of a woman who gives birth to a son 'destined to shepherd the nations'. The child and woman are attacked, but God saves them both. |
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07 February 2023
 O God of every family on earth, Loving and compassionate God,We come before you in prayer, Unable to fully comprehend the horror of women and men and children, Transported to unknown places, To be exploited and abused, Because of greed and profit. |
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07 February 2023
 This meditation brings together two texts which the early Marists saw as closely related Mary’s presence among the apostles and disciples at Pentecost, and the description of the early Church. The texts simply tells us that Mary 'was there'. |
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29 January 2023
 Almost 50 million people were living in modern slavery in 2021, either forced to work against their will or in a marriage that they were forced into, according to Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Walk Free and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The new data shows that the number of people trapped in modern slavery has risen significantly in the last five years, and that it affects every region of the world. The world needs to move quickly and decisively to get progress back on track. However, the report also details several actions which, taken swiftly and together, can make significant progress towards ending modern slavery, worldwide. |
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28 January 2023
 To meditate on this passage, it is important to be aware that, in the mind of St. John, the crucifixion of Jesus is not a defeat, but Jesus' supreme victory. His determination to carry out the Father’s will has triumphed over every evil force that tried to stop him. |
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26 January 2023
 Catholic schools have always been charged with a special mandate to offer hope to those who are disadvantaged, and this special attention for those who are weakest, who are the battlers, is as Australian as Eureka and Penola. Australian Catholic education has been hailed as a jewel and the envy of other nations. Even from the early days, the concern to provide a religious education for Catholic families in the colony galvanised the bishops of Australia. Their vision was brought to life by religious men and women who responded courageously to the invitation to give opportunity to young Catholics. These were mostly poor, socially disadvantaged and in the post-war period, immigrant children. This special attention to them in Catholic education has not been diminished with the transition from religious to lay leadership. A strong commitment to professional development, especially in respect of the mission, identity and ethos of Catholic schools, continues to guide us to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. |
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26 January 2023
 It is the most powerful things I have done is to learn to embrace my body. After I bought into those messages which told me I should look a particular way to make me happy again. I trained my body obsessively and I got the body. But, I was not happy. When Taryn posted her traditional before and after photos it may headlines around the world. People of all different shapes and sizes need to learn how to embrace the body they have. There is a global epidemic of body shaming of people hating their bodies and it needed a bigger solution. |
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26 January 2023
 Script by Marist Father Edwin Keel sm. Setting: But Jesus is also experiencing great opposition from his enemies. Jesus knows that God’s will is that people come to life that they be freed from the oppression of evil of every kind, that they walk upright with dignity as sons and daughters of their heavenly Father. The enemies of Jesus do not understand what God |
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25 January 2023
 Script by Marist Father Edwin Keel sm. The scene is a wedding feast (which, in those days, lasted sevendays!) in a small country village, undoubtedly involving all thepeople of the village as well as many guests. This incident occurs at the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, before the beginning of the Church. Nevertheless, it tells us something about Mary's presence in the Church, and about the effect her presence has. As she will be present at the birth of the Church (at Calvary and at Pentecost) Mary is present here at the 'birth' of Jesus’ mission as Messiah. |
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17 January 2023
 How to deal with uncertain liminal space? |
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16 January 2023
 An inspiration speech concerning Laudatio Si, the current environmental crises and the actions which need to be taken. This was delivered to the Marist Family of Brothers, Fathers, Sisters and Laity using Zoom in February 2021. This journey is be taken together. We as people are integrally connected to the world who is suffering. We need leaders to emerge. Together we must become more aware so that we might respond as a community both locally in connection to our brothers and sisters across the world. |
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15 January 2023
 Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer. |
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31 December 2022
 I would like to tell you a story of a little boy in Sweden. That boy was me. My dad hit me. I walked in front of the TV and dad hit me. When you get abuse at home you have 2 choices. Fight or flight. But, I learnt later there is a third choice. You freeze. By the time I was 11 or 12 I was drinking. My dad sent me to live with my grandparents. They talk care of me. |
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31 December 2022
 An article published by Tim Keller entitled The Fading of Forgiveness traces the disappearance of the thing we need most. He talks about Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela which was marked by the ethics of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. These were core pillars of the civil rights movement and compares that to todays activism which seems not to value the virtue of forgiveness as much. |
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31 December 2022
 There is little doubt that Pope Francis has been the most controversial Pope in any of our life times. Dividing the church into those who think he is the greatest pope ever and into those who think he is a heretic. In later years the later group has grown louder with some saying he is not even the real pope at all. |
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27 December 2022
 Share this prayer with your family, community or class exploring the first week of advent through song, gospel, reflection, discussion and common prayer. |
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26 December 2022
 Is Christmas about Jesus? For 39% of Australian population in the national census of 2021 the answer is definitely no. Christmas is just a cultural practise. |
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24 December 2022
 Sibling rivalry is normal. When we are stuck at home with lock down. Is there a Silver bullet? No. Children often do not have the language skills or emotional intelligence to deal with this. How can we deal with children fighting? What are the top tips to deal with children fighting? |
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24 December 2022
 Social anxiety at Christmas time. There can be a lot of build up. We need to manage expectations at this time. Make people aware. Christmas is a lot about expectations. Like what are the presents? We need to let people know ahead of time. In the social environment some move into become over functioning and take over. Whilst others under functioning where you with-drawl and move away. Christmas can be a drowning time. It is okay for people to step away. To self sooth. We don't need to do the same thing at the same time. |
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22 December 2022
 Psychological safety is a shared belief that the environment is conducive to interpersonal risks without fear of negative consequences. Vulnerability is the first thing I look for in you, and the last thing I’m willing to share. In you, its courage and daring, in me, its weakness. When we feel psychologically safe, we lead with curiosity and courage, and we drive innovation. |
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21 December 2022
 We live in an increasingly dangerous world where a spiral of violence seems to be out of control. Violence and selfishness dominate our daily news, as the ‘answer’ the world offers to us. The horrors unfolding in Ukraine and the scandal of the arms race, and even more the danger of nuclear war frightens us all. Our planet continues to be exploited and the beauty of God’s creation plundered for profit. And the ongoing tragedy of refugees continues with many people closing their hearts to compassion. |
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17 December 2022
 'STARTING A NEW CHURCH'. These are the words of our Founder, FatherJean Claude Colin. Pope Francis, in callingthe Synod of the Universal Church, said: 'We must live another way of being Church'. I believe that the mostbeautiful thing about the Chapter of the European Province of the Marist Fathers, held in Rome from 6 to 14June 2022 - preceded by an electronic session held from 27 to 29 May, in which some Lay Marists alsoparticipated - was precisely putting as the underlying theme of every moment these words of our Founder andof our current Pope; thereby, combining and comparing every prayer, action, thought, word, aspiration andperspective with this interpretative key. Finally, moving beyond the limits of our own horizon, our Founder'sprophecy, and fidelity to the Pope's action - aiming to trigger processes of renewal in the Church, so that shemay be ever more perfectly embodied in our time, marking a change of epoch - are the key criteria groundingour Spirituality and our journey in the Church and in the world. |
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14 December 2022
 For those who are younger there is a good chance you will have 6, 8 or 10 jobs. Different organisations over the years. This is just change. You have to get an instinct of how to think about your boss and the organisation that you find yourself in and the organisational structure. You need to figure that out so that you can serve people well. |
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11 December 2022
 Christmas Eve Homeless Outreach |
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11 December 2022
 For National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee, teaching is a political act. She has been traveling the country urging all teachers to make social justice a central part of their mission. Talking to students about justice can't be a niche for certain kinds of teachers or certain schools. When students understand inequity and have the tools to work towards a more just world, they see why their education truly matters.... |
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05 December 2022
 Dear ALL, We are looking for your favourite cooking recipes to share with other Marists.As we are getting closer to Christmas, it is great to share these recipes with each other.Please write the title, then List the Ingredients First and Second List the methods or steps to follow.See the examples below.Please click on “Add to conversationâ€.Thank youMarist Laity Australia |
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02 December 2022
 The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, Â Â Â but shorter tempers; wider freeways, Â Â Â but narrower view points; we spend more, Â Â Â but have less; we buy more,
   but enjoy it less.
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01 December 2022
 I was standing once in a big building when suddenly a sparrow flew in at one high window and almost immediately flew out again at another across the hall. It happened so quickly it might not have happened at all. And there was no sign the sparrow had passed. Someone who had noticed this common occurrence wrote that it was a symbol of the brevity and inconsequence of human life. We can accept the brevity, but not the inconsequence. We know lives matter. Certainly, whatever one's attitude to the meaning of human existence, everyone wants to live a life that counts. Everyone wants to live a truly significant life. |
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29 November 2022
 Apocalyptic literature from the scriptures often gets miss interpreted. Apocalyptic does not mean the “end of the worldâ€. This is a miss interpretation. But, what the world is going through with COVID-19 is an “apocalyptic†event or a revelation. This event is an unveiling or to pull back the veil. This style of text, Apocalyptic, uses exaggerated images and metaphors. Like stars falling from the sky or the moon turning to blood in the scriptures. This is like a Steven Spielberg movie like Close Encounters or ET where suddenly you are placed in an utterly different world. What was normal before does not apply any more. |
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29 November 2022
 Marist Sisters in Australia taking Action to Care for the Earth. Have a a close look at the concrete actions what the Marist Sisters are doing to Care for the Earth. |
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27 November 2022
 The number of people unaffiliated with any church or religious organisation has been on the increase. They are sometimes called the NONES. These are often people who describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. This is the fastest-growing denomination in America. Notice they do not want to call themselves Atheists. These are people who are very much in search mode. Who are looking. They are looking for meaning. These are people who are seeking some kind of path in life. They really do not like the doctrine and institutional structures through which we have inherited much of the Christian message. They want ot get at what is essential. They touch on the mystery and depth without all the furniture which goes along with it... |
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22 November 2022
 At COP 27, countries come together to take action towards achieving the world’s collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and the Convention. Building on the outcomes and momentum of COP 26 in Glasgow last year, nations are expected to demonstrate at COP 27 that they are in a new era of implementation by turning their commitments under The Paris Agreement into action. The conference will take place from 6-18 November 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Heads of State and Government will attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit on 7 and 8 November. A high-level segment primarily attended by Ministers will take place from 15-18 November. |
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20 November 2022
 We are looking for your favourite cooking recipes to share with other Marists. |
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13 November 2022
 The 4-year journey of the Plenary Council led to important decisions in eight critical areas for the Catholic Church in Australia. It also provided an invaluable immersion in synodality, with an unprecedented experience of broad consultation, honest and respectful dialogue, extended discernment, and co-responsible decision-making. This talk will review some of the main decisions made by the Plenary Council, as well as reflecting on its significance for strengthening synodal processes in the Church. |
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10 November 2022
 Please support Zahra, her family and all the other families that were detained on Nauru for so many years in the name of the Australian Government. Offshore detention has ruined people's lives and Australia has a duty of care to them. We are calling for everyone who was randomly sent to Nauru and Manus to be granted permanent protection in Australia. Here is Zahra's story, one of so many, that illustrates the horror of the Offshore detention regime and the damage it has done to people. |
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05 November 2022
 The assumption of the doctrine of terra nullius – that Australia was not owned and was open to British settlement without consideration of the native owners – together with the racism that replaced the Noble Savage of Cook’s Enlightenment with an increasingly vicious view of the natives aimed at both justifying and enabling frontier violence and dispossession mutating into the pseudo-scientific racism of the Darwinian nineteenth century and early twentieth – combined to form the terrible ideology of the denial of recognition. The Australian colonial project needed this denial and was underpinned by its vehemence until well after the frontiers fell silent. |
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01 November 2022
 View the December 2011 Marist Laity Australia Newsletter. |
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30 October 2022
 The purpose and goal of Fratelli Tutti paragraph 8 Pope Francis says it is his desire by acknowledging the dignity of each human person we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity. The title of the document is inspired by a quote from Saint Francis of Assisi. A love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance and declares blessed all that love their brother as much as he his far away from him as much as he is with him. Issues of fraternal friendship have always been a concern of Pope Francis. In this encyclical Pope Francis brings together these ideas for reflection. This is open to all people. An invitation to all people to dialogue. Not just for Catholics and the Catholic church but all people. |
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27 October 2022
 In a cultural where we like to fix or prevent vulnerability Brené Brown is reviving the notion that our struggles make us who we are. This is based on data and scientific research first into shame and then into qualities that distinguish lives with a strong sense of worthiness. There is a gulf between what we want to be true and what is true in vulnerability between men and women. She talks about the difference between making our children happy and raising engaged human beings. |
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23 October 2022
 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. |
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06 October 2022
 Christian churches have until recently used a reconfessional approach to problem of declining church numbers. This video puts forward a new approach of recontextualising how we engage with others. Hermeneutics are important. But the question is - which one will we use. - Studies of Religion. Post 1945. |
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21 July 2022
 What equality exists between men and women? Today highlighted the need for more theological input and understanding amongst the members of plenary. This has highlighted some deficiencies in the process up until this point. This process reinforced a sense of hope from real discernment from that rejection. The rest of the day was with that reflection and discernment. The steering committee was surprised because they could not go forward. This is a key issue for the church. whether or not we believe in Vatican 2 and the kind of church this is calling for or whether we belong to a restoration group. That is the tension that is there which is pulling either way. |
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10 July 2022
 To dream the impossible dream. To fight the unbeatable foe. To bear with unbearable sorrow. To run where the brave dare not go. To right the unrightable wrong. To love, pure and chaste from afar |
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10 July 2022
 Some words are merely mouthed words like 'that women are appropriately represented in in decision making. Who decides what is appropriate?' |
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08 July 2022
 For many, the spiritual life may not seem to require the presence of a writing utensil, but some Catholic groups are encouraging journaling in connection with one’s faith to bring about fruitful spiritual progress in the lives of individual Catholics. |
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08 July 2022
 The year of 1992 changed my life because my English teacher asked me to get a second exercise book and start journaling at the beginning of each lesson for 10 minutes. For the past 30 years I have kept a journal. Through the ups and the downs. Especially in difficult moments. Keeping a journal has helped me process my emotions. When someone has died. Breaking up with a girlfriend. Losing a job. Changing jobs. Dealing with major family issues. Mental illness. COVID. The list could go on. |
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26 June 2022
 Since the war in Ukraine began, more than 3,000 refugees have arrived here in Australia. But while waiting for news of their humanitarian visas, many have found themselves needing shelter and guidance. Reporter Amelia Moseley followed the journeys of two mothers and their children all the way into Australian homes. |
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25 June 2022
 Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work. This is not a crazy, idealised notion. In many successful organisations, great leaders are creating environments in which teams trust each other so deeply that they would put their lives on the line for each other. Yet other teams, no matter what incentives were offered, are doomed to infighting, fragmentation and failure. Why? Today's workplaces tend to be full of cynicism, paranoia and self-interest. But the best organisations foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a Circle of Safety. |
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19 June 2022
 “Community for mission†seems to be encoded in our Marist-DNA. From our very earliest days – we celebrate St. Marcellin this Monday, June 6 – Marists have evangelized from within Christian communities, with Mary at our heart. “We have no other model than the early church†Father Jean-Claude says. This Pentecost on Sunday, June 5, challenges us to be faithful to this vision of Mary at the heart of the community, sent out to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. There are always some Marists who live on their own for very good reasons. However, our Founder always encouraged us to live in communities for mission, as he himself had done in Cerdon and in the mountains of the Bugey. |
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18 June 2022
 Many people after they have been in a couple for some time will privately admit that they are frustrated and disappointed with the person they have chosen to share their lives with. If pressed for details they will have no problem coming up with a list. Their partner they might complain is to loyal to their irritating family or does not share their views on the lay out of the living room. Or, never wants to go on camping holidays. Or, plays tennis every Wednesday evening no matter what. Or does not like Moroccan food. Or, does not share their enthusiasm for 19th century novels. Or, has a habit of adding the word “Actually†to ever second sentence when it's “actually†redundant. |
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16 June 2022
 Please commit to pray each day in your communities and families.Before or after your family meal. |
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07 June 2022
 We are delighted to let you know that registrations for the Association National Assembly are still open. Let's join together as a Marist family this year - through June, July and August - to look at where we've come from, and imagine where we are going! |
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22 May 2022
 As Australians wake up this morning, they have a new government. But not just a new party in power, but a new way of doing government. Change can be a very hard thing for some. Like the process of dying. We cannot accept the reality and instead create in our heads reasons for this false reality. When Donald Trump lost the November 2020 election, he created a storyline of a “rigged electionâ€. It is hard for our ego to let go of how things were or how things should be. We ignore facts and prefer the way we think. |
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12 May 2022
 Joan Chittister osb, an American Benedictine, and a Practical Theologian embodies the voice of wisdom and experience.Her prophetic views on justice and equality, especially for women in the church, challenges those who would silence women and people at the margins. Through her call to uncommon courage she can help us re-discover the place of religion in our society through a spirituality of engagement, so that we can all work together to reform the clerical culture that has shattered so many and damaged us all. |
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22 April 2022
 In the past laity found out about Marist Spirituality through various parishes. This was led by the Marist Fathers, Marist Brothers and Marist Sisters. There were groups all over Ireland, but they seldom met together and did not know each other. In 2000 we had a big gathering in Longford in central Ireland. We had a liturgy then followed by a party. We got to know each other and forged friendships. In 2007 there was a lay gathering of lay Marists in Tourin. This was the European gathering of lay Marists. We met Lay Marists from all over the world. We learnt how to organise ourselves. We exchanged ideas even though there were cultural differences. We worked through them. We adapted Mary's Magnificat as the official prayer of lay Marists. We returned to Ireland fired up with enthusiasm. We set about organising ourselves in structure, formation and communication. The most important part was to establish ourselves as an authenticate part of the Marist family.Independent and also interdependent with the other Marist branches. We elected 8 leaders we call the resource group. These go out and meet with other group. |
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18 April 2022
 Here in Australia we have been blessed not to have experienced the high levels of sickness and death that so many people throughout the world have experienced with COVID 19 in the last 2 years. But for lockdowns that kept us for the most part safe, came at their own cost. The cost of families, friends and communities being isolated from each other for sometimes extended periods of time. Of people being under financial and job stress. Of businesses struggling to survive. As well as health care workers on the front line who are in continual crisis day after day. Another group baring the brunt of the pandemic were young parents and grandparents who were trying to home school their children.... |
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15 April 2022
 Listen to these words of Jesus in St Marks Gospel. Anyone who wishes to be a follower of mine must leave self behind. He must take up his cross and come with me. We meditate to do just that. To make that fundamental call that Jesus makes. This is the basis of all Christian faith. To leave self behind. |
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09 April 2022
 I4give Resource and Web site. Parents Daniel & Leila Abdallah have created i4give Day as a remembrance of the four angels that were tragically lost on the 1st of February 2020. This is to also help others who have suffered in a similar way. As well as this, it is a National day of forgiveness where you could find someone you can forgive or ask for forgiveness. |
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09 April 2022
 Jeff Freys research has shown that there are ten areas of our lives that are affected by sacrifice and self-stewardship and focusing on these can help us help ourselves so we can help others. |
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09 April 2022
 This documentary tells the story of Cardinal Bernardin's coming to awareness of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, his courageous action to address the issue, the false accusation leveled against him, his exoneration, and his reconciliation with Stephen Cook, his accuser. |
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29 March 2022
 Our seventh Convocation session leaps into action, as we explore transformative ways in which living an ecological vocation has changed communities, education systems, families and ourselves. Join us for an inspirational journey of how action from within has inspired others. |
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02 March 2022
 Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine at his public audience in the Vatican on Feb. 23 as the situation continued to deteriorate between Russia and Ukraine. He appealed to the consciences of “those with political responsibility†and “all the parties involved†to “refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.†|
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14 February 2022
 We pray for the people of Myanmar.God please bring peace.God please stop the violence. |
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13 February 2022
 A synodal church - expectations and limitations –appraising the plenary council and seeing beyond |
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26 January 2022
 Dialogue Between Generations, Education and Work:
Tools for Building Lasting Peace |
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22 January 2022
 View the June 2009 Marist Laity Australia Newsletter. |
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19 January 2022
 Father Luigi Savoldelli sm, sent this news, at the end of last year, from District's Laudato Si Project in Cameroon. |
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13 January 2022
 Share this prayer with your family, students, staff, community and loved ones. Download and PRINT the bookmark. |
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10 January 2022
 From his vast perspective after his eight years in leadership Pope Francis highlights “synodality†as the future direction for the Church. “It is precisely this theme of synodality which God expects of the Church in the third millenniumâ€, he says. We are all urged to participate as best we can in this synodal journey towards and beyond the “Synod on Synodality†in Rome, in |
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10 January 2022
 To be honest, the word ‘synodality’ is one of those words that used to fly right over my head because it wasn’t something I was familiar with. Lucky for me, there was an opportunity to unpack what Pope Francis is asking all people to be part of (see Vademecum p16-17). Are we listening to each other deeply or enough? What’s your experience and what can the Church do to be better at it? “What an opportunity…†I thought to myself, “…what an opportunity IF we do this right. So what do I need to know about this synodal process?†|
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07 January 2022
 Share this prayer with your family, students, staff, community and loved ones. Download and PRINT the bookmark. |
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04 January 2022
 We are all made in your image owe God.There is a deep beauty in each woman, in each man, and in all of creation, which praises God. |
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28 December 2021
 It is well understood by good parents that life should only ever get so exciting for a baby: after friends have come around and brought presents and made animated faces, after there has been some cake and some cuddles, after there have been a lot of bright lights and perhaps some songs too, enough is enough. The baby will start to look stern and then burst into tears and the wise parent knows that nothing is particularly wrong (though the baby may by now be wailing): it is just time for a nap. The brain needs to process, digest and divide up the welter of experiences that have been ingested, and so the curtains are drawn, baby is laid down next to the soft toys and soon it is asleep and calm descends. Everyone knows that life is going to be a lot more manageable again in an hour. |
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18 December 2021
 Recently, I was watching the movie “The Two Popesâ€. It follows a dialogue between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis before Francis becomes pope. In it pope Benedict says “I can no longer hear the voice of Godâ€. But, once Benedict said “I have decided to resign as being pope†he again could hear the voice of God. Is this because he was ignoring the voice of God? More, broadly, is it because each of us have stopped listening and rather ignoring. This is a reciprocal thing. We tune out to God’s voice. Maybe, we don’t know the language or vehicle of how God communicates to us. |
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23 October 2021
 Leaders of the church have been asking for about 40 years “why is it that young people have stop going to churchâ€. This question has now become “why is it that nearly everyone has stopped going to churchâ€? |
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21 October 2021
 This program follows a group of primary school students as they learn to recognise and address issues of racism, prejudice and stereotyping. |
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20 October 2021
 Tasmanian Aboriginal of the year, Rulla Kelly-Mansell is a proud Tulampanga Pakana man, State League footballer and the director of Make Runs Maxi, a charity that promotes positive mental health. |
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09 October 2021
 At Candlelight May this Sabbath lift our spirits, lighten our hearts.Washing the Hands: Washing the hands, We call to mind the Holiness of the body. |
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30 September 2021
 The time for talk is over. Code red for humanity after a decade of toxic Australian Environmental policy. There is not enough government policy or incentives for businesses to invest. The policy vacuum is slowing down the change. Australian needs to put the political points scoring aside and evolve. |
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25 September 2021
 Can we accept our imperfections? What philosophies can we take to recognise the nature of our humanity both fragile and sometimes not perfect. This will allow ourselves to be ourselves and less defensive. With a philosophy of acceptance. Our pains fit into a broader picture. |
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23 September 2021
 'The river owns me. I don't own the river.' ✊ðŸ½ðŸ‘ðŸ½Marlikka Perdrisat is a staunch Nyikina Warrwa and Wangkumara Barkindji woman fighting to protect her Country and the Mardoowarra.Join host Lille Madden, Arrente, Bundjalung, Kalkadoon conservation activist, as she yarns to Marlikka about the mighty being, the Mardoowarra River, and understanding the respect that Country deserves.Healing Country shares the grassroots initiatives, actions and change that young people are creating for their communities, culture, and Country.For more ABC Indigenous: |
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11 September 2021
 We would like to invite you to join us together with Marist Laity Australia on Saturday September 11 at 7 pm (EAST Eastern Australian Time) to celebrate in person. We will pray, sing, reflect and discuss together. This online zoom forum enables us to enter conversation and dialogue with each other. To listen to the word of God, not just within ourselves but other Marists from across the world. |
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05 September 2021
 So much around us can look as if it is broken. We see fractured countries and societies from Afghanistan to Myanmar, from Ethiopia to Venezuela. A huge earthquake tears Haiti apart while the rest of the world, ravaged with Covid and with fears about potential ecological disaster, hardly notices. Sometimes these factures seem to cut right through our own hearts and our own communities. |
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05 September 2021
 This is a great family film which depicts the Dr Seus story of the Lorax. It shows the consequences of environmental destruction. This speaks volumes to what we are facing today. You are encouraged to watch this film with your family or community and discuss how you can be better stewards of creation. The world needs this film. |
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27 August 2021
 Dr Jessy Rogers from Ireland, provided what the Plenary meant as an international church. Pope Francis has called the church to become a synodal church. Synodality needs mechanisms and processes to enable it to happen. This is what plenary councils and plenary councils do. Those are what enable it. Synodality itself is actually a way of being church. |
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20 August 2021
 Heal the world. Make it a better place For you and for me, and the entire human race. There are people dying If you care enough for the living. Make a better place for you and for me |
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20 August 2021
 Guided meditation and a reflection on Social leaning. Meditation is a form of prayer. Focus on your breathing. Breath in and breath out. Breath deeply. Focus on the prayer word Maranatha or Come Lord Jesus |
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14 August 2021
 We would like to invite you to join us together with Marist Laity Australia on Saturday August 14 at 7 pm (EAST Eastern Australian Time) to celebrate in person. We will pray, sing, reflect and discuss together. This online zoom forum enables us to enter conversation and dialogue with each other. To listen to the word of God, not just within ourselves but other Marists from across the world. |
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10 August 2021
 The 2021 IPPC Regional Workshop provides an exceptional forum for regional and national plant protection organizations to share ideas, enhance cooperation and work together to strengthen plant health at the national, regional and global level. By reviewing draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, discussing topics of phytosanitary concern, and moving from ideas to action countries and regions will contribute to advance plant health globally. |
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07 August 2021
 Join us as we learn how to pray using Christian meditation. 'Ma ra natha' .... 'Come Lord Jesus' |
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28 July 2021
 With lockdown it is hard to teach our children at home. Do you have child in year 1 or year 2? Here are some resources for learning about sentence adjectives, conjunctions, and tense – past, present and future. Feel free to use them. |
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25 July 2021
 We would like to invite you together with Marist Laity Australia on Sunday July 25 at 7 pm (EAST Eastern Australian Time) to celebrate in person. Of all people are invited. This gathering with contain a special video discussion of four Marists, discussion between those who attend, prayer, reflection and song. |
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25 July 2021
 All of us are called upon to play a part. We are all contributing to vast planetary Ark, like Noah’s Ark, to avoid the devastating destruction which has been imposed upon this present planetary process during the 20th century. This idea of Noah’s Ark gives us a basic idea of how things function in a time of comprehensive decision making. |
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24 July 2021
 Everything at this time - for at least the past 15 years and, particularly, in these past years - makes us feel that something is moving: within us, among us, in our 'branches' (Laity, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers), in the Christian churches, in our Church and in the whole world. The papacy of Francis, a new springtime of the Church that relaunches us decisively from the Gospel and from the Council. Our Western world, secularized almost to the point of no longer recognizing its roots, its culture, its values. Our Congregation, stirred by the new breath of Justin Taylor's 'Reset' - yet almost indifferent to it. The pandemic, that has sown deaths, which shaken many to the point of anguish, which seems to destabilize every 'ordinary' to which we had become accustomed or even resigned, in a one-way street of? well-being. But precisely this dramatic planetary event is placing us - we, here, today - before the mystery of the Passion and Death, which brings with it seeds and signs of Resurrection and new life: 'We are all in the same boat'. 'Nobody saves himself alone'. |
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21 July 2021
 By Marist Father Ben McKenna SM. We Marists SM are committed to having an International 'Omnes Gentes' community in Paramatta. Covid has slowed us down, and while we are waiting it is worthwhile to ponder on a summary reflection of the Bishop of Paramatta, +Vincent Long OFM Conv, in his recent Helder Camara lecture. 'My hope for the [Australian] Plenary Council' |
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15 July 2021
 If we are to truly reflect the divine feminine and masculine image, we must consider women in leadership. Yet, our culture and our Catholic tradition choses to say “this is not our practiseâ€. This is not just about who is right and who is wrong, but rather, if we do not embrace more women in leadership, what will that do? I can see what it has done, and this has been devastating. |
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15 July 2021
 Share with your class and community. A prayer taken from Mark 6:30 which sees Jesus going into the wilderness. |
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11 July 2021
 Just over 13 kilometres off the coast of Townsville city, between the Great Barrier Reef and the mainland, lies an island paradise called Magnetic Island. |
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08 July 2021
 Sr Jane O'Carroll is a Marist sister. She serves in the Auckland Catholic Diocese as Bishop Pat's Pastoral Assistant and is Vicar for religious. Jane is also a member of Te Ropu Tautoko. Te RÅpÅ« Tautoko exists to co-ordinate and manage cooperation between the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care and the Catholic Church in Aotearoa, represented by the Catholic Bishops and Congregational Leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand. In this short video Sr Jane explains the role and function of Te Rou Tautoko. |
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07 July 2021
 The global climate crisis will require us to transform the way we act, says His Holiness Pope Francis. Delivering a visionary TED Talk from Vatican City, the spiritual leader proposes three courses of action to address the world's growing environmental problems and economic inequalities, illustrating how all of us can work together, across faiths and societies, to protect the Earth and promote the dignity of everyone. 'The future is built today,' he says. 'And it is not built in isolation, but rather in community and in harmony.' (English voiceover by Bruno Giussani. Watch this talk in Italian at go.ted.com/papafrancesco and Spanish at go.ted.com/papafrancisco) |
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30 June 2021
 As part of the exhibition we need thousands of people to come down and plant hands into the lawn of The Calyx. The design will involve 10,000 hands in the colours of charred and burnt banksia pods as part of the 'Healing Country' theme. Head to the Calyx lawn from 29 June to get involved. |
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30 June 2021
 Often at school we learn about Maths and English. But what about the school of life? What is a swift summary of the building blocks of what makes life work better. Check this video out. This is inspiring. Reflect on this and share with those you love. |
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12 June 2021
 Jean Claude Colin said “Be bold. We are building a new Church.’ Some of you may have heard the saying ‘be the Church’. Colin and the first Marists looked to us The Marist Laity, to be the Church for those beyond the reach of priests, brothers, nuns and missionaries. |
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04 June 2021
 'On Pentecost Sunday our Superior General, Fr John Larsen, together with the General House community, planted a ginkgo tree, one of five present during the annual two-day meeting of Marist Superiors-General and councillors held this year at Manziana, a Marist Brothers Centre north of Rome, May 14-15. The Marist Project has long been understood as a tree of many branches to which all types of people can belong |
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28 May 2021
 Studies have also found that writing in a journal can lead to better sleep, a stronger immune system, more self-confidence and a higher I.Q. |
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28 May 2021
 A 30 day project of seeing whether journalling works... |
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16 May 2021
 Key note speech by Nicky Gumble. |
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19 April 2021
 There is a vehement passion in man. That propels him to search for God. In these days, This drive, as it appears, Is inarticulate, And dimly realised. |
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18 April 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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18 April 2021
 When you stop comparing yourself to others, you can accomplish great things, says wheelchair athlete Dean Furness. He shares how, after losing the use of his legs in an accident, he discovered a powerful new mindset focused on redefining his 'personal average' and getting better little by little. |
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14 April 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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10 April 2021
 Losing our way on a journey can be an unnerving experience. We may have an appointment to keep, a place to be, an arrangement to make and we get lost on the way. Panic and fear can easily take over and paralyse us, preventing us from thinking clearly or making the necessary decisions to re-set our desired direction. |
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09 April 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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07 April 2021
 We have gone away for a break. This reminds me of how Jesus would go off often by himself for some rest. Into the wilderness. By himself. After such as a crazy year of uncertainty, of Covid, of my mum being in hospital 3 times, changing jobs, of many fires in Australia and recently floods. It is good to step away from craziness. To find a space to rest. |
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06 April 2021
 Father Luigi Savoldelli sm, writes: I would like to begin my article by focusing on the experience that I have been living with African confreres and the people of Cameroon for some years now; our experience is grounded in the encyclical 'Laudato Si'' by Pope Francis. The Agricultural project that we began as Marist Fathers of Cameroon, working with a group of poor, local, people has its origins in meditating on this encyclical, and finding a way to develop and express its meaning. |
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05 April 2021
 Life’s essential questions first get asked and answered in childhood. Our children pay attention not so much to what our children can verbally tell them. So, we can package the perfect answer. They are barely paying attention to that. Instead, they are absorbing on a deep level. How it is that we embody and live these answers. |
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01 April 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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31 March 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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29 March 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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27 March 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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26 March 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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25 March 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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24 March 2021
 Download and Print this prayer for your family or community. |
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23 March 2021
 Download and Print. Pray this prayer with your family or community. |
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20 March 2021
 By Chadwick Boseman. Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you. Can really figure out what your fight is. And how you need to fight it. Sometimes you need to feel the pain and sting of defeat. To active the real passion. And purpose that GOD predestined inside of you. GOD says in jeremiah. |
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02 March 2021
 Twenty-two-year-old Oliva lives in Tanzania with her farmer husband, two young sons and an adopted niece and nephew. She didn’t have the opportunity to go to school growing up - and was embarrassed that she couldn’t read, write or count. Around 25 percent of Tanzanian girls and women over 15 years cannot read or write, with many families unable to afford school fees or uniforms. |
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25 February 2021
 By Bishop Geoffrey Robinson. 12 Elements in Institutional Culture that Contribute to Abuse. 2010 |
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23 February 2021
 We hope you had a wonderful Christmas Season filled joy and surrounded with love from family and friends.As we refocus for the year, we take this opportunity to provide a brief update on some planned activities for 2021. |
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16 February 2021
 We are grateful for eyes that can see and ponder, for taste buds that know the sensuous pleasures of eating and drinking, for hands that hold and touch and feel, for ears that can delight in music and the voice of a friend, for a nose that can smell the aroma of newly mown grass or delicious food, and can also breathe the air that gives us life. |
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15 February 2021
 On the weekend I was blessed to participate in the “Laudatio Si Action Platform†Zoom conversation with Father Joshtrom Kureethdam and Father Bernard McKenna and 90 other Marists lay people and religious. As I listened, in my heart I pondered “are these just words?†Sure, I agree with the philosophy and rationale behind climate science, but how does this change me? How does this change my own community? How does this change my family? |
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12 February 2021
 Bill Gates is focusing on Climate Change. We need to go green. Gates with the overwhelming number of scientists who are warning of a climate disaster. The good news is that Gates believes it is possible to avoid a catastrophic rise in temperatures. The bad news...he says in the next 30 years we need scientific breakthroughs, technical innovations and global cooperation on a scale the world has never seen. |
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03 February 2021
 A message from a mother who lost 3 of her children in a tragic accident on February 1 2020. |
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31 January 2021
 Want to be happy? Be grateful | David Steindl-Rast. The one thing all humans have in common is that each of us wants to be happy, says Brother David Steindl-Rast, a monk and interfaith scholar. And happiness, he suggests, is born from gratitude. An inspiring lesson in slowing down, looking where you're going, and above all, being grateful. |
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29 January 2021
 This question was raised by a colleague at work yesterday. We responded 44, 47, 34 and then my colleague answered “I turn 60 this yearâ€. She said it as if there was something wrong. I pondered to my self, “why is it our western culture devalues our older generations?†|
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26 January 2021
 Pray this ONE page Australia Day prayer in your family or community. |
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26 January 2021
 Senior Australian of the Year 2021 - Miriam Rose. |
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13 January 2021
 Pope Francis in the face of a grave crisis says we lack the culture to address the global environmental crisis. We need an new ecological conversion. But, solutions will not be emerged from just one way of transforming the reality. Christians are faced with a crisis both socially and ecologically. Christians need to reconsider the architecture of our lives. Christians need to redefine our notions of happiness to get beyond our notion of happiness. Art, writing and music are ways of building up a new culture of care for each other and the environment. |
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05 January 2021
 Strangers organise funeral for Arpad Kiss, 82, who died alone on the streets of DarwinThe 82-year-old man's funeral service was small and simple, attended by about a dozen people who were both strangers and the last people he encountered.Those who went said it was a strange but deeply moving experience: gathering to farewell someone they had never really met. |
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05 January 2021
 Christmas and New Year have provided us with the opportunity to pause, to watch, and to wonder at the event of the Word continuing to be made Flesh in our time. Perhaps we have found ourselves pondering with Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi at the unfolding of a Revelation among us that draws us to wonder, to encounter, to hope, and to be replenished with a new Divine-given energy. |
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02 January 2021
 A reflection on how Marists are called to follow Jesus and care for each other |
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