18 December 2024
 The documentary 'Europe's Deadly Migration Policy' explores the human cost of Europe’s border agreements with North African nations, focusing on the plight of migrants and refugees. Migrants, including families with small children, are routinely abandoned in the Sahara Desert or subjected to violence and harsh conditions at the hands of North African border forces funded and equipped by the European Union. These actions, often carried out in remote and unmonitored areas, result in tragic deaths, highlighting the devastating consequences of policies designed to deter migration. |
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09 November 2024
 The documentary 'The Shady Business of Trafficking Desperate Refugees' exposes the harrowing journeys of migrants and refugees fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution across the Mediterranean to Europe. It details the exploitative networks of human traffickers who profit from their desperation, subjecting them to inhumane conditions and life-threatening voyages in flimsy boats. The film highlights the dire consequences of this migration crisis, including overcrowded reception centers, bureaucratic delays, and tragic drownings at sea. It underscores the moral and political challenges faced by the EU and calls for urgent international action to create safe migration pathways and address the root causes of displacement. Through personal stories, the documentary sheds light on the resilience and suffering of those seeking a better life, urging compassion and accountability. |
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23 October 2024
 The documentary 'Blood Cobalt: The Congo's Dangerous and Deadly Green Energy Mines' by ABC's Foreign Correspondent exposes the brutal conditions in the cobalt mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 70% of the world’s cobalt is sourced. The demand for cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries, has surged, drawing impoverished Congolese workers to dangerous artisanal mining. Individuals like Mama Natalie and her family scavenge for cobalt in hazardous areas, risking their lives to earn a meager living. Artisanal mining, which accounts for 30% of the country's cobalt production, often results in fatal accidents, with children like Deomba losing their lives in collapses near mining sites owned by companies like CDM. |
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21 October 2024
 In this unique feature documentary, titled David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, the celebrated naturalist reflects upon both the defining moments of his lifetime and the devastating changes he has seen. Coming to Netflix October 4 2020, the film addresses some of the biggest challenges facing life on our planet, providing a snapshot of global nature loss in a single lifetime. With it comes a powerful message of hope for future generations as Attenborough reveals the solutions to help save our planet from disaster. |
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21 October 2024
 Saint Francis in the 1219 traveled to Egypt to engage with the Islamic sultan Al Kamil during the crusades. Francis went to seek peace. After Francis had approached the Christian generals, they rejected him. Francis stayed in the camp with Sultan in dialogue. There was a mutual understanding and appreciation of each other. |
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21 October 2024
 'From A Slap' by Fanpage.it features young boys, aged 7 to 11, who are introduced to a girl named Martina and asked what they like about her. When instructed by the interviewer to slap her, all the boys refuse, with one stating, 'I don't want to hurt her,' and another quoting, 'Girls shouldn't be hit, not even with a flower.' The video aims to highlight the innate moral compass children possess when faced with gender violence, advocating for adults to reflect on their behaviors and encouraging women experiencing domestic violence to find strength in resisting abuse. With over 3.5 million views, the video delivers a powerful message against violence toward women, showing that children naturally choose compassion. |
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25 September 2024
 Marist School in Atlanta is celebrating the Catholic Church’s Season of Creation by embracing sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through initiatives such as the Eco-Garden Club, expanded recycling efforts, and the 'Show Up and Clean Up' program, students are taking hands-on actions to care for God's creation. The school has also introduced greenery in classrooms and hosted an environmental film screening to deepen understanding of ecological conversion. With upcoming projects like a creek cleanup and electronics recycling drive, Marist is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability while being recognized nationally for its efforts in promoting environmental care. |
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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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07 September 2024
 The video of Protecting the Climate - How the Human Brain Prevents Us from Saving the World highlights the challenges in combating climate change, despite decades of scientific warnings. It explores how psychological factors influence human behavior, making it difficult for people to act on the long-term consequences of climate change. The film discusses the ineffective translation of scientific data into action and the power of fossil fuel lobbying, which hinders progress. Climate activists, such as the 'Last Generation,' resort to protests and civil disobedience to raise awareness, though their tactics are controversial and met with legal challenges. The discussion touches on the human brain's resistance to change, particularly when habits are deeply ingrained and when the benefits of acting against climate change are not immediately visible. This biological and psychological inertia, combined with corporate lobbying and misinformation, perpetuates environmental harm. Even though the younger generation is pushing for change, there remains a significant disconnect between scientific understanding, public perception, and meaningful action. The video ends by stressing the need for immediate, tangible benefits to encourage people to alter their behaviors and make climate-friendly choices. |
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07 September 2024
 Sister Margaret Atkins' presentation discusses whether the Catholic Church is doing enough for the environment, emphasizing the Church's potential to lead by moral example in addressing climate change. She highlights the need for Catholics to adopt eco-friendly practices like reducing meat consumption and minimizing travel, while aligning daily habits with faith values. Atkins defends the Church's involvement in environmental issues, pointing out that it responds to scientific consensus while reflecting on the moral implications. She stresses the importance of simplicity, responsible use of technology, and the Church's role in promoting reconciliation, supporting the poor, and fostering sustainable, community-centered living. |
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07 September 2024
 The video Why Should Christians, Muslims, Jews, and All People of Faith Walk to Places of Worship to Save the Environment? emphasizes the shared responsibility across religious traditions to protect the environment, highlighting the sacredness of creation in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It presents examples such as Franciscan monks in Assisi, Italy, the 'Walk to Jummah' campaign in Birmingham, UK, and the Jewish Community Project in New York City, where congregants walk to worship to reduce their carbon footprint and embody their faith’s teachings on stewardship. Walking to places of worship is portrayed not only as an environmentally conscious act but also as a spiritual practice that deepens believers' connection to creation. Communities like the Green Anglican Movement in Nairobi and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco promote similar initiatives, aligning simplicity and sustainability with their religious values. The video concludes by emphasizing that the environmental crisis is both a moral and spiritual issue, and small actions like walking to worship can make a significant impact in preserving the planet for future generations. |
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01 September 2024
 Johan Rockström's presentation, 'The Tipping Point of Climate Change,' highlights the urgent and accelerating risks posed by climate change, as scientists observe rapid changes far beyond previous expectations. He warns that critical Earth systems, such as forests and oceans, are losing their ability to buffer climate impacts, pushing us closer to irreversible tipping points. With global warming already at 1.2 degrees Celsius and on a path to exceed 2 degrees, Rockström emphasizes the dire economic, social, and environmental consequences, including potential GDP losses and catastrophic ecological shifts. However, he also identifies a narrow window of opportunity to avoid disaster through immediate and exponential action, urging global cooperation, rapid emission reductions, and the restoration of natural systems to stabilize the planet. Despite the challenges, Rockström remains a 'realistic optimist,' believing that with decisive action, a sustainable and secure future is still possible. |
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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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17 August 2024
 The video celebrates the first anniversary of the Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP), highlighting global efforts towards ecological sustainability and integral ecology inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'. Key speakers, including Maria Virginia Solis Wahnish, John Mundell, Father Joshtrom Kureethadam, and various global representatives, reflect on the progress made through the platform, emphasizing the importance of coordinated global action, local initiatives, and theological reflection. Testimonies from different regions, including Australia, the Salesian Sisters, and Scotland, showcase how diverse communities are implementing LSAP goals through education, advocacy, and practical projects. The event, framed by prayers and reflections, calls for continued commitment and collective action to protect the planet, care for the poor, and foster a global community dedicated to ecological justice. |
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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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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
 The news story 'Why has UN climate chief set the world a two-year deadline?' centers on a stark warning from UN Climate Chief Simon Steel, who asserts that humanity has just two years to implement substantial changes to prevent irreversible damage to our planet. This urgent message comes at a time when the world is experiencing unprecedented natural disasters and record-breaking temperatures, emphasizing the critical nature of immediate and effective climate action. Steel highlights that overcoming political hurdles is as crucial as tackling the scientific challenges, with a specific call to action for wealthier nations, which are responsible for the majority of global CO2 emissions. |
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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
 'From Refugee to Mayor' is a documentary that follows the inspiring journey of Ryyan Alshebl, a 29-year-old from southern Syria who has resettled in Althengstett, Germany. Originally fleeing war-torn Syria eight years ago and surviving a perilous journey that included a dangerous boat ride to Greece, Ryyan has made a remarkable transition from a refugee to the mayor of Ostelsheim. |
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16 March 2024
 The documentary 'Homeless Teenagers Surviving Chicago's Winter' provides a deep and emotional exploration of the lives of young people experiencing homelessness in one of America's largest cities. The narrative unfolds through the personal stories of several teenagers who, despite their circumstances, exhibit resilience, hope, and a desire to improve their situations. |
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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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06 February 2024
 The documentary 'The Working Poor' provides a profound examination of the challenges and systemic issues faced by low-wage workers in the United States. Through personal narratives, it uncovers the harsh reality of individuals struggling to make ends meet despite being employed, highlighting the inadequacy of minimum wage, lack of access to basic benefits, and the necessity of working multiple jobs. The stories of Germania, a fast-food worker, and Joe, a construction worker, serve as poignant illustrations of the wider economic and social inequalities. The documentary critiques the notion of the American dream and the economic recovery post-recession, showing that while job numbers may have increased, the quality and sustainability of these jobs do not lift the working poor out of poverty. It also touches on the broader implications of these systemic failures, including the impact on families and the disappearing middle class. The narrative is a call to action for policy reform and a more equitable distribution of economic growth and opportunities. |
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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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29 January 2024
 The documentary 'Climate Change - Averting Catastrophe' explores the impacts and challenges of climate change across various global regions, including the melting permafrost in Siberia, the retreating glaciers in the Alps, and the drying of Lake Chad in Africa. It highlights the urgency of addressing climate change through various efforts like renewable energy expansion, reforestation, and innovative solutions like synthetic palm oil and high-altitude wind power. The documentary underscores the importance of global cooperation and rapid action to mitigate the environmental and human costs of climate change. |
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21 January 2024
 'One Life,' a 2023 movie, is a profound and emotional biographical film that chronicles the life of Nicholas Winton, a British humanitarian known for organizing the rescue of 669 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II. The film delves into Winton's early life, his decision-making and actions leading up to the Kindertransport, and the challenges he faced while orchestrating this daring rescue. It also explores the impact of his deeds on the lives of those he saved and the ripple effect of his actions through generations. Portrayed with depth and sensitivity, the film highlights Winton's humility and the late recognition of his heroism, revealing his personal struggles and the moral complexities he navigated. With powerful storytelling and compelling performances, 'One Life' pays tribute to Winton's legacy, emphasizing the extraordinary impact one individual can have in the face of adversity and the enduring importance of compassion and courage. |
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15 December 2023
 The acute housing shortage in Queensland, Australia, is driving up rents and exacerbating homelessness. Jasmine Sloan, a single mother, became homeless after her rent was raised by $200, forcing her to split up her family over different temporary accommodations. Youth homelessness is also on the rise, with an 88% increase in young people seeking support. The narrative includes the perspective of a 21-year-old student living in a share house, who previously spent three years in a youth hostel. The issue of social housing shortage is highlighted, with the government acknowledging underinvestment and committing to more social and affordable housing projects. The video also touches on the use of motels for emergency accommodation but stresses that a long-term solution is still needed. |
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12 December 2023
 In the interview at COP28, Bill Gates discusses the challenges and approaches to solving climate change, with a focus on the inequity of its impact, which hits the poorest the hardest, particularly those dependent on agriculture. Gates emphasizes the urgency for global cooperation in reaching zero emissions by 2050 and the significance of innovation in clean energy and agriculture to outpace the effects of climate change. He highlights investments in drought-resistant crops and sustainable technologies, underscoring the importance of adaptation and mitigation, especially for subsistence farmers in developing countries who are disproportionately affected by climate change. Gates also reflects on the potential of wealthy individuals to contribute significantly to these efforts, advocating for their involvement in driving innovation and supporting global health and climate initiatives. Despite the daunting task ahead, Gates expresses optimism due to human ingenuity and the potential for improvement in the human condition, even as he acknowledges that keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees C is unlikely. |
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10 December 2023
 In his speech, Pope Francis passionately addresses the urgent and interconnected issues of environmental degradation and societal division. He underscores his absence but emphasizes his spiritual presence and the pressing need for collective action on climate change, which he deems an offense against God and a structural sin. He criticizes the unsustainable consumerism driving ecological damage and calls for humility in recognizing human limitations. Francis laments the prioritization of national interests over the global common good, obstructing meaningful international cooperation. He refutes the notion that poverty and high birth rates are to blame for environmental issues, pointing instead to the disproportionate ecological debt owed by wealthy nations to poorer countries. |
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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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19 November 2023
 The YouTube clip 'Are Christians Concerned with Climate Change?' discusses the intersection of faith and climate science, particularly focusing on the views of Christians regarding climate change. Dr. Jessica Moorman, an Evangelical Christian and paleoclimatologist, shares her journey into climate science motivated by her faith. She studies past climates using geological records to understand current climate changes, attributing the planet's warming and extreme weather events to human activities like burning fossil fuels. |
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11 November 2023
 In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’ (The Letter); an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. A few years later, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope. Hailing from Senegal, the Amazon, India, and Hawai’i, they bring perspective and solutions from the poor, the indigenous, the youth, and wildlife into a conversation with Pope Francis himself. This documentary follows their journey to Rome and the extraordinary experiences that took place there, and is packed with powerfully moving personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people.
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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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05 November 2023
 In this TED Talk, Michael Kimmel, a sociologist known for his work on masculinity and gender equality, shares a powerful narrative about the invisibility of privilege, particularly as it pertains to race and gender. Kimmel recounts an eye-opening experience where a conversation about race with women of different backgrounds made him realize his own race and gender were invisible to him due to his privilege as a white man. This privilege, he notes, is invisible to those who have it. |
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22 October 2023
 'Glory' by John Legend and Common is a powerful anthem written for the movie 'Selma,' which chronicles the 1965 voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The song draws parallels between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and contemporary struggles for racial equality and justice. By interweaving historical references with current events, 'Glory' emphasizes the enduring fight for justice, equality, and freedom, reminding listeners of the sacrifices made in the past and the work that still lies ahead. The song's refrain, 'One day, when the glory comes,' encapsulates a hopeful vision of a just and equitable future. |
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15 October 2023
 Please join and post the handtag - Thankyouforbeing . To my Aboriginal brothers and sisters. I am sorry. I would like to recognise you as the first people of Australia. I would like to listen to your Aboriginal Voice. Let us all move forward in reconciliation. #Thankyouforbeing |
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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
 Bishop Vincent Long, during the launch of the social justice statement 'Listen, Love, Live' in August 2023, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the Church and the broader Australian community. He began by recalling Pope John Paul II's words from 1986, highlighting the significance of justice, respect for cultural diversity, and protection of the dignity and heritage of Indigenous Australians. Bishop Long stressed that despite several decades passing since those words were spoken, the need for non-Indigenous Australians, especially Australian Catholics, to joyfully receive the contributions of First Nations peoples remains relevant. |
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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
 'A voice for the voiceless a modern day parable' reflects on a moment of courage and empathy amidst a sea of indifference during their commute. On crutches due to knee surgery, the author occupied a disabled seat on the train when a heavily pregnant woman boarded. As fellow passengers remained engrossed in their screens, seemingly oblivious, the author felt compelled to act. Overcoming their own fear and hesitation, they raised their voice, requesting a seat for the pregnant woman. While most passengers ignored the plea, one man, engrossed in reading his Bible, responded with kindness, offering his seat. This incident highlights the often-overlooked reality that many vulnerable individuals, especially the voiceless, suffer in silence, and it calls upon us to be observant and care for those without a voice. |
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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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12 October 2023
 In Wiradjuri country, central New South Wales, a land scarred by colonization and warfare, the author reflects on the profound spiritual resonance between the suffering of First Nations people and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Amidst this landscape, he encounters a man seeking solace from his own pain in a church, illustrating the deep lament pervasive among Indigenous communities. These sentiments, inextricably linked to the historical injustices faced by his ancestors, find parallels in the church's teachings, challenging the notion that Christianity is solely an instrument of colonization. For the author, Easter symbolizes a period of darkness rather than resurrection, akin to the feelings of hopelessness experienced by his community. He emphasizes the distinction between Christendom and Christianity and highlights how First Nations people have always known God, with their own term 'Baiame.' Through personal anecdotes and literary references, the narrative powerfully articulates the profound sorrow, hopelessness, and lament that defines the Indigenous experience, urging for a deeper understanding and acknowledgment of their history and pain. |
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28 September 2023
 I Am Greta is a documentary that provides an intimate and compelling look into the life and activism of Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish environmental activist who gained global recognition for her efforts to address climate change. The film follows Greta's journey from her solo school strike for climate action outside the Swedish parliament to her emergence as a prominent figure in the global climate movement. It offers viewers a behind-the-scenes perspective, capturing her passion, determination, and the personal challenges she faces as she becomes a voice for the younger generation concerned about the planet's future. |
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24 September 2023
 In Father Jim McKeon's reflection on 'Why vote no to the Aboriginal Voice,' he discusses several reasons people might consider voting against the proposed Voice to Parliament in an upcoming referendum. He mentions that past consulted bodies, like NATSIC, have existed before, implying that this initiative may not be entirely novel. Additionally, he raises the valid concern that no institution, including The Voice, can fully represent every indigenous person, and suggests that certain outcomes, such as closing the gap in health and education, might be more effectively achieved at the state level. |
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19 September 2023
 Bishop Archbishop Mark and Bishop Tim discuss the importance of the referendum on 'The Voice' and the broader issue of reconciliation in Australia. Bishop Archbishop Mark emphasizes that the referendum is not just about the indigenous population but concerns all Australians. He believes that reconciliation is a critical issue that has been a longstanding problem since the beginning of European settlement in Australia. He sees the referendum as an opportunity to unlock the potential of both indigenous people and the nation as a whole through fundamental healing and reconciliation. |
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10 September 2023
 The official song for the Aboriginal Voice to Parliament. 'You're the Voice' themes of speaking out, making a difference, and working collaboratively for change can be seen as resonating with the broader goals of Indigenous Voice and recognition in Australia. Both the song and the movement encourage individuals and communities to find their voice and be heard on important issues |
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10 September 2023
 In a discussion led by Carly Williams, the ABC's National Indigenous Correspondent, and joined by Fran Kelly, they explore the potential impact of the proposed Aboriginal Voice to Parliament on addressing issues related to youth crime, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in regional towns across Australia. |
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04 September 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. Kerry O’Brien responds to several concerns and questions for the “No campaign†case against the Aboriginal Voice. |
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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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01 September 2023
 In this Square faculty event, Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and journalist Kerry O'Brien discuss the 'Voice to Parliament' handbook they co-authored. The handbook aims to provide information about the Voice to Parliament concept and upcoming referendum in Australia. The event acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and emphasizes the importance of this topic. Thomas Mayo explains that the handbook was created to inform and empower people, particularly those supporting the 'Yes' vote in the referendum, by providing facts and personal insights. They discuss the significance of the Voice to Parliament in addressing Indigenous representation and the need for a consistent Indigenous voice in government decision-making. |
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23 August 2023
 The YouTube Original Film 'The Pope, The Environmental Crisis and Front Line Leaders' explores the global environmental crisis through the perspectives of individuals from different backgrounds and regions. |
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18 August 2023
 Rachel Perkins, an Australian filmmaker, director, and activist, has been involved in advocating for Indigenous rights and reconciliation. While I don't have specific details on her discussions about the Aboriginal Voice to Parliament, truth-telling, agreement-making, and constitutional recognition, I can provide you with a general overview of the topics she may address based on her previous statements and activism. |
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07 August 2023
 In this exclusive interview at the Garma Festival, David Speers engages with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, discussing the pressing topic of constitutional change for an Indigenous voice in Parliament. The Prime Minister reiterates his commitment to the referendum, highlighting the practical benefits the voice will bring to Indigenous Australians, addressing education, health, and housing disparities. Despite recent poll results, the Prime Minister remains optimistic about the generosity of the Australian people and their willingness to embrace change for a more inclusive future. He dismisses concerns about alternative forms of recognition, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling the Indigenous community's request for substantive constitutional recognition. The discussion also touches on the possibility of a treaty and the importance of respectful conversations in advancing reconciliation. With the referendum expected in mid-October, the Prime Minister aims to unite the nation, emphasizing that a successful vote will be a significant step towards closing the gaps and advancing reconciliation. |
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07 August 2023
 This powerful story follows the remarkable Tamara Sloper-Harding as she returns to East Timor to help rebuild the nation of East-Timor. Tamara served with the Australian military in 1999 following the end of the barbaric occupation of Timor by Indonesia. This experience changed Tamara's life and formed a life-long relationship with the country, resonant of the experience of WW2 Australian commandos who fought in Timor. |
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06 August 2023
 The documentary 'No Way to Forget' delves into the heart-wrenching and devastating impact of the Stolen Generations on Indigenous communities in Australia. This dark chapter in the nation's history saw thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families and communities by government authorities and placed into institutions or foster care with non-Indigenous families. The film opens with powerful and poignant personal testimonies, providing a glimpse into the traumatic experiences endured by those who were forcibly taken from their families at a young age. |
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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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14 July 2023
 The documentary 'Climate Change' explores the alarming impact of global warming on the Earth's climate and the urgent need for action. The film follows extreme mountaineers Danny Arnold and his friend as they embark on a thrilling mountaineering adventure, scaling the melting glaciers. However, their awe-inspiring experiences are juxtaposed with the growing concern among scientists that such adventures may soon become impossible due to climate change. The documentary highlights the devastating effects of climate change around the world, including torrential rain, floods, droughts, and the melting permafrost. |
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10 July 2023
 This song tells the story in August 1966, 200 Gurindji stockmen, domestic workers and their families initiated strike action at Wave Hill station in the Northern Territory.Negotiations with the station owners, the international food company Vestey Brothers, broke down, leading to a seven-year dispute. |
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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 documentary 'Australia's Dark Secret: The Inhumane Treatment of Indigenous Peoples' sheds light on the dire living conditions and systemic neglect faced by Indigenous communities in Australia. The film takes viewers on a journey into remote areas like Utopia, where Aboriginal people are denied basic facilities and services that others take for granted. It exposes overcrowded housing, lack of sanitation, limited access to clean water, and the absence of healthcare and education resources. The documentary challenges the perception of Australia as a wealthy and developed country by revealing the stark disparities and ongoing struggles faced by the country's first inhabitants |
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18 June 2023
 Journalist Kerry O'Brien joins Tom Ravlik to discuss the release of a new book called 'The Voice to Parliament Handbook' written by Thomas Mayer. The book aims to provide a clear understanding of the Voice to Parliament referendum in Australia, which will take place later in the year. O'Brien explains that the handbook is a response to the confusion and misinformation surrounding the referendum. As a journalist with extensive experience covering indigenous issues, O'Brien believes that the handbook will help clarify the simple proposition of the voice and shed light on the history and background of previous attempts to establish an indigenous voice in the government and policymaking process. While O'Brien and Mayer openly support the Yes campaign, they are committed to providing factual information and fostering a better understanding of the issue. |
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26 May 2023
 May 26 marks National Sorry Day. This is the story of Noel, an Aboriginal individual who discovered his Aboriginal heritage in 2006. He believes it is important for people to share their stories, hoping that it will encourage others to do the same. Noel is part of the Willem Will Reign community on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, a unique group of Indigenous people from across Australia who come together to learn, connect with their culture, and feel a sense of community. They have established a scar tree as a symbol of healing and reconciliation, providing a place for remembering and contemplation on Sorry Day. The community hopes that this tree will continue to grow and serve as an eternal symbol for their journey towards a brighter future. |
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21 May 2023
 This story's right, this story's true. I would not tell lies to you. Like the promises they did not keep. And how they fenced us in like sheep.Said to us come take our hand. Sent us off to mission land.Taught us to read, to write and pray. Then they took the children away,Took the children away,The children away.Snatched from their mother's breastSaid this is for the bestTook them away. |
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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
 Summarizes the personal accounts of individuals who were forcibly separated from their families and taken away from their communities, reflecting on the lasting impact of these experiences. The video expresses their struggle to understand and cope with the traumatic events of their childhood, as they were removed from their cultural and spiritual roots. They recall the confusion, fear, and heartbreak they felt as they were taken away and placed in unfamiliar environments. These Aboriginal people recount attempts to stay connected with their families through letters and their longing to return home. The profound loss and longing for their loved ones are evident as they grapple with their identities and a sense of belonging. |
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07 May 2023
 This week world leaders, pushing for more coordinated and strenuous action on climate change, no doubt hoping to capitalise on the lesson of coronavirus while it's still fresh - that doing too little, too late has dire consequences. So far, most nations - including Australia - have acted with insufficient urgency, meaning that the task ahead is now both mitigation and adaptation. |
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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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11 March 2023
 An amazing documentary that envisions how our world could be in 2040 if we took the environment seriously. Don't do this for yourself. Do this for our children and grandchildren. |
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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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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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29 January 2023
 When reporter Nick McKenzie received a tip-off about this story last year, he couldn’t believe what he was being told. Twelve months of investigating though has not only confirmed it, but also established it is much worse than he first thought. In a joint 60 MINUTES, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald special report, McKenzie exposes what could be one of Australia’s largest human trafficking operations. What he has discovered are vulnerable Asian woman being coerced into enduring shocking conditions as sex workers. In fact, their treatment is so poor that even police admit not enough is being done to help them. Meanwhile the crime bosses make huge profits off this multi-million-dollar industry, while making a mockery of Australia’s supposedly strict border security. |
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23 January 2023
 Our challenge is to accompany people from the margins into a journey towards the fullness of life and love. We are meant to be in the coalface, in the messiness of it all and at the same time in fidelity to the Gospel… Like Christ in his ministry among the sick and the lost, we are called to meet God in the most unlikely people and places. We, too, must be in that frontier space. |
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23 January 2023
 The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the proposal for the indigenous voice to parliament. The focus is of hope and humility. Years of broken promises, failures, and false starts demand nothing less. The prime minister outlines some of the detail for this reform. The draft question is Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice? |
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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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24 December 2022
 A number of activities were executed in Myanmar. These are the first executions since 1988. There has been a continuing coup by violence of the military. The military is not monolithic. There are different factions within the military. The coup was a product of these factions. Ever since Myanmar's military leaders took control in a 2021 coup, the country has deteriorated into civil war. But who are the men in charge and what do they really want? |
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14 December 2022
 I remember the 19th of February was one of the happiest days of my life. We had bowling between friends. We had a competition between friends. It was a normal and happy day of my life. The 23rd of February was the last day I saw and met my classmates. On the 24th of February you woke with loud noises and they turn out to be being rain-down on Kharkiv..... |
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11 December 2022
 A 2021 documentary film about the environmental impact of fishing directed by and starring Ali Tabrizi, a British filmmaker. The film is produced by Kip Anderson, director of animal consumption documentaries Cowspiracy and What the Health. |
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11 December 2022
 Christmas Eve Homeless Outreach |
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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
 I have 22 mug shots lying in the Victorian prison system. I am proud that I am a survivor with those photos. I am a member of the Stolen Generation. Survivor. Spend many of my time in jail. Jail was a useful tool for me. It was some kind of respite from my activities of being on the streets. From being homeless. Being addicted to Heroin. Thank God I was sleeping in a bed and had something to do in jail. I taught ceramica in prison. I started a pottery shop. I called it psycho ceramica because you had to be a crack pot to be there in the first place.... |
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24 November 2022
 Brother Leo said that in novitiate he was told to read 'The Soul of the Apostolate' every year. He learned from this book that prayer is the foundation for everything. He said that action is the shadow side of the Brothers as they have become workaholics. They would rather teach, coach, clean than become mystics. We need time for life, energy and to develop a passion for God that can only come about by prayer. We are not social workers or activists -we do love the work but it is not enough. We are Marists in Action and for this we need a deep prayer life to support our ministry. |
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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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14 November 2022
 In the last few weeks of this liturgical year our scripture readings focus on the last things including death, judgement, heaven and hell. Today's readings sound dire and indeed they are because Jesus and the prophet Malachi before him speak of a persecution which is to come. We know in history Jesus followers were often persecuted often to death in the early years and centuries after Jesus. We can use this history as a springboard as Jesus followers still suffer in parts of the world because of their faith. There are also people persecuted because of their political elegance or sexual orientation or other faiths such as the Muslim Uyghurs. Today I would like to reflect of suffering that happens closer to home and that is within families and intimate relationships. |
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04 November 2022
 Zahra, her husband, and 3 children have been in Australia for the past 4 years. Her eldest daughter won 2 scholarships to uni, the middle daughter is at high school and the little boy starts school next year. Zahra has a cleaning business, her husband works 6 days a week as a tiler. But their life is far from normal. |
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30 October 2022
 Australian Religious Response to Climate Change or ARCC is a member-based organisation of people from around Australia who are committed to taking action on climate change. Our members represent a variety of religious traditions. We believe that as people dedicated to the common good, inspired by our beliefs and energized by our spirituality, people of all faiths can and should be at the forefront of creating a safe climate. While celebrating the uniqueness of our different traditions, we stand together in working for an ecologically and socially sustainable future. |
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30 October 2022
 A film about a nation on the front line of climate change: the central Pacific nation of Kiribati is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to rising sea levels. |
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27 October 2022
 Ask one of the children residing in a Brownsville, Texas unaccompanied minors' shelter if they have ever met an angel and they might just say, 'Yes, actually, an older fellow with white hair and a big belly and a bigger laugh who brought us into his church and fed us pizza and soft drinks even though the shelter staff told him that he couldn't do that.' |
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27 October 2022
 Most Australians say “yes. We fully support the Uluru statement from the heartâ€. But do you actually know what is in it? Do you actually know where those words come from? |
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23 October 2022
 Leading iconographer and artist Michael Galovic has created his own deeply-felt response to the war in Ukraine in his latest work, Ukraine Response. |
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23 October 2022
 Rachel Perkins is one of this country's great storytellers, translating distinctively Australian stories for the screen, including a new television series called The Australian Wars.It tracks the bloody conflicts that broke out across the continent after the arrival of the British colonists.Rachel says these are the most important wars in our history: they were fought on Australian soil, between Australians, to determine the ownership and control of the entire country.The stories from this era are stories of violence, of peace, of epic adventures, which make up the foundational narrative of this nation. |
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21 October 2022
 Domestic and family violence and abuse are a plague on our society. Far too many people do not feel safe in their own homes. And really, the time has come for this to stop. Our relationships should be marked by equality and reciprocity, rather than dominion and violence, respect and freedom, rather than coercion and control. Far too often, some use false religious teachings or beliefs, to justify these destructive attitudes and behaviours. |
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17 October 2022
 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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16 October 2022
 The Uluru Statement from the Heart was both historic and practical, laying out a way that the relationship between Indigenous Australia and the Commonwealth could be reset. Now the campaign for a Voice to Parliament is moving into a new phase, as chief political correspondent Laura Tingle reports. |
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13 October 2022
 If the fields are parched. And the trees are felled. Will the rocks cry aloud on their own. If the birds are starved. And the beasts are killed. Will the bones in the dust lift a song. |
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07 October 2022
 The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the poorest countries on Earth. But it holds the world’s richest deposits of cobalt. Now the race is on to mine the metal essential to making electric car batteries. People in this region are digging and dying for. It is dangerous work. The massive industrial mines are a law until themselves. People are dying for lack of safety. Corruption and violence and rampant. Small scale miners who work on the fringes of the mine risk arrest and even death. Many are children. This is the cost of our green energy revolution. |
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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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26 June 2022
 On February 1st 2021, the government in Myanmar was overthrown in a military coup. Aung San Suu Kyi is now being held in prison and hundreds of protestors have been shot on the streets. For many decades, Christians and Muslims have been at the hard end of military oppression. Now the Buddhist majority are feeling the crack of the whip. To discuss Myanmar’s turbulent history and the current crisis, Ernie Rea is joined by Soe Win Than (Editor of the BBC Burmese Service), Khin Ohmar (a democracy and human rights activist noted for her leadership in the 1988 uprising in Myanmar) and by Benedict Rogers (Senior Analyst for East Asia at Christian Solidarity Worldwide). |
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26 June 2022
 Asia’s culture and religion go hand in hand, said the cardinal, who also serves as the president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. He called the culture and religions – including Buddhism, Islam, and Catholicism – “very rich, very diverse.†|
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21 June 2022
 Barely a day goes by without some dire warning about the state of the environment. But we also hear that if we act now we may be able to avoid the worst consequences of man-made climate change. The vast majority of the world’s population hold to a faith tradition. So what role can religion play in bringing about the kind of change that is needed? Religion appeals not only to science but to deeply held beliefs and values. Religion can talk the language of hope as opposed to fear and can tap into vast networks and mobilise communities. So what difference can religions make, what kind of things are already happening and are they doing enough to tackle a problem that will connect all people regardless of faith and belief? |
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19 June 2022
 Mary Ghisolfo, Lay Marist serving with Notre Dame des Victoires, San Francisco, California, writes to answer the question: 'Why Does Ministry Among the Poor Awaken for Us the Critical Role of a Marist Vocation?' |
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25 April 2022
 Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, has washed the feet of inmates in a gesture of respect, humility and love for some of the most marginalised members of our community. |
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22 April 2022
 Sir David Frederick Attenborough is an English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author. He is best known for writing and presenting, in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit, the nine natural history documentary series forming the Life |
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22 April 2022
 Afghanistan is facing the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world, with the country seeing a sharp deterioration in the situation since the Taliban seized power in August.International funds which propped up the country’s fragile economy have been stopped as the world debates how to deal with the Taliban regime.The United Nations has issued a stark warning – that millions will die if urgent aid does not reach the country soon. In this video, the BBC’s Yogita Limaye travels to Herat, in the west of the country, and witnesses first-hand the dire situation on the ground. |
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29 March 2022
 Integral Ecology is about pursuing the good for our common home. In this video we explore the meaning of integral ecology, and we will be introduced to the 'Economy of Francesco', one of the most explicit calls made by Pope Francis on acting from an integral economy perspective. |
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22 March 2022
 Caritas Ukraine is caring for people - Children and youth, Healthcare, Migration issues and Crisis situations |
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03 March 2022
 How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly Before they're forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind. |
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02 March 2022
 In 1963 the cuban missile crisis between communist Russia and the United States saw the threat of nuclear war at its highest point. Pope John XXIII played a pivotal role resolving the conflict between Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and President John F Kennedy. Shortly after, John release Pacem In Terris months before he would die. This document promoted peace in all parts of our lives. |
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02 March 2022
 In 1994 the world turned its back on the country of Rwanda. Over 600,000 died in a genocide. This movie documents the story of Hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina brave act to protect 1000s of refugees from being killed. |
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01 March 2022
 There is a cost to everything we do. But the biggest cost is doing nothing. This climate emergency is a race. The climate crisis is caused by us and the solutions must come from us. It will require fundamental transformations in all aspects of society. How we grow food, use land, fuel our transport. The COVID pandemic has impacted human well being. It has caused indirect effects on species and the environment. COVID is a consequence of the depletion of nature. Therefore there is a need and proactive in fighting climate change. We are called to become stewards of God's creation. How are we called to take action? |
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26 January 2022
 Kiama Council has announced lay Marist Maria Baden as Australia Day Citizen of the Year for 2022. |
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26 January 2022
 Congratulations to Australian of the Year 2022, Dylan Alcott.As a teenager, tennis player Dylan Alcott was bullied over his disability and 'dreaded being in a wheelchair'.Now 31, Dylan has made history as the first man to achieve a Golden Slam, using his success on the tennis court to reshape perceptions around disability through the Dylan Alcott Foundation, Get Skilled Access and AbilityFest — Australia's first accessible and fully inclusive music festival. 'It may shock a lot of people but the thing I am proudest of now is my disability and I love it.' |
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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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05 January 2022
 All around the world, the Communion is meeting these needs. We can’t do everything, but we can do everything that God gives us the resources to do. I know of a place in the middle of a civil war, which is nevertheless running a COVID clinic. I know of a province, where there is appalling terrorism, which is strengthening communities. I know of places that are speaking up for injustice, and saying ‘this must stop’. I know of places that are welcoming refugees and internally displaced persons. |
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05 January 2022
 Jesus is the fullness of God’s revelation of love for us and for all of creation. This means that no matter who we are: male or female, black or white, straight or gay, rich or poor, high or low, citizen or refugee, God’s love embraces us and reverences us all. Jesus came down to live in a typical Middle Eastern village called Nazareth, that was home to a couple of hundred ‘country’ people. He did not decide to brandish his power, but to spend most of his time with the powerless and disenfranchised. |
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18 December 2021
 What is it like to be a refugee? In this animated film two polar bears are driven into exile due to global warming. They will encounter brown bears along their journey, with whom they will try to cohabitate. Please watch this 8 minute film. |
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10 December 2021
 It is now 6 years since Pope Francis published his encyclical 'Laudatio Si' or Our Care for our Common Home. At the time it attracted world wide attention for its focus on ecology, climate, economics, and how this all impact on the poor and marginalised people. |
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30 November 2021
 Michael Anderson (Nyoongar Ghurradjong Murri Ghillar) is an Aboriginal rights activist, leader of the Euahlayi tribe of 3,000 people living in north-western New South Wales, and Native Title claimant to their traditional lands on their behalf.From 1969 Mr. Anderson was a leader in the Australian Black Power movement and was appointed by his peers as the first Aboriginal ambassador to white Australia after he and three comrades established what was later called the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the front lawns of Australia's parliament house in 1972. |
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19 November 2021
 A story of a refugee family who have fled afghanistan making their way to the EU. |
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17 November 2021
 Rev. James Bhagwan, general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, addresses the High level Segment of COP26 on behalf of the Interfaith Liaison Committee. |
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14 November 2021
 In today’s Gospel – Mark 13:24-32 – we have an example of apocalyptic literature, a particular articulation of our shared belief. The English word, “apocalypticâ€, comes from the Greek word, apokaluptein meaning “uncover†or “revealâ€. The central focus of Christian apocalyptic literature – indeed of all Christian witness – is the uncovering or revealing of the glory of God in Jesus who is the Christ. We might reasonably think of today’s Gospel text as an incoherent articulation of the ineffable. |
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14 November 2021
 With a million species at risk of extinction, Sir David Attenborough explores how this crisis of biodiversity has consequences for us all, threatening food and water security, undermining our ability to control our climate and even putting us at greater risk of pandemic diseases. |
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12 November 2021
 What does it mean to lead? Invictus models an approach to leadership which is relational, but uses injustice as a vehicle to lead. |
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07 November 2021
 On Saturday November 6, 25 lay and Religious Marists joined together online to discuss “How are we called to be stewards of God’s creation� Pope Francis spoke about the Laudatio Si Action Platform. That all people are called to an ecological conversion. Pope Francis calls all of us to be more connected to creation through how we live our lives. This is very urgent because it is the poorest of the poor who are most effected. Those that do not have a voice. |
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06 November 2021
 Marist Laity Australia would like to invite you to join us on Saturday November 6 at 7 pm (EAST Eastern Australian Time) to reflect on 'How are we called to be stewards of creation'?
This event will coincide with the COP26 gathering in Scotland. It has become urgent that we as people must play our part as well to care for the earth. How are we called to change? What real and practical things can we do? What is the impact to our regional neighbours? Like Kiribati. |
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26 October 2021
 Globally, people who are LGBTQIA+ are at increased risk of depression, suicide, and verbal, physical and sexual harassment and abuse. James recognised a lack of Church advocacy on these issues following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting in the USA, noticing that few Catholic Bishops publicly spoke out about the massacre. |
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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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21 October 2021
 Key global climate talks will be be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November 2021. Campaigners for action on global warming say the summit will need to agree tough and radical reductions in carbon emissions if they are to limit the worst effects climate change. So what are the main challenges facing those trying to forge a new agreement at the talks? |
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29 September 2021
 But in recent days up to some 15,000 migrants mainly Haitians (but other nationalities including Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans) crossed the river over the span of a week, by wading over a dam on the river and were then blocked from moving forward . So they made camp under the international bridge on the US side thus creating yet another crisis and for anti-Biden critics a reason to make a lot of noise. |
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29 September 2021
 Three years ago Border Force officers removed Nades Murugappen, Priya Nadaraja and their two young daughters from their adopted Queensland town of Biloela. |
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29 September 2021
 ‘Shine Your Light’ – Song by refugees featuring Ricky Kej, Aditya Narayan, Neeti Mohan and Salim Merchant |
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18 September 2021
 Listen to four key presenters talk about the current Climate Crisis for Pacific people - Vincent Long, Rev Mata Havea Hillau – Uniting Church, Rev James Bhagwan and Archbishop Peter Chong – From Fiji |
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18 September 2021
 Foreign Correspondent. One Spanish yacht. A quarter of a million square kilometres of sea. Boatloads of desperate men, women & children fleeing for their lives. Can a Barcelona crew help the thousands on this risky journey and steer them to safety? |
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13 September 2021
 Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley is in crisis. Families are trapped inside the narrow valley without enough food or medical supplies, and cut off from the outside world as the conflict in the region continues. As we continue to do what we can on the ground we are making an appeal for international intervention from global NGO’s to assist us reach more people in need of our help. We can’t do this alone. We need your help. |
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13 September 2021
 I regret to write to you that the situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating very quickly. In over 40 years of war, I have not seen the situation so devastating as it is today. 
The violence in Kabul and the northeast has forced hundreds of thousands of terrified families to flee their homes in desperate search of safety.
 
I know first-hand what it is like to flee your home in the face of war and terror. When families flee the terror, they have no choice but to escape quickly, with very few or no possessions. |
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18 August 2021
 Conversations and opinions about whether Australia should take refugees. |
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18 August 2021
 Bashir Yousufi is an orphan who fled Afghanistan leaving behind three younger brothers. He's now a high school student in Sydney's west with a passion for the country that gave him refug |
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12 August 2021
 Set in Afghanistan. Follow the story of a 12 year old girl who has to dress up as a boy to receive work under the Taliban prior to 2003. This movie explores the culture and harsh realities for women in Afghanistan. |
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11 August 2021
 Phil Glendenning brings tales of horror about refugees sent back to their countries by Australia. He provides compelling arguments to support the claim that the Australian public is being lied to by its politicians. |
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11 August 2021
 What has happened to the many refugees Australia sent back to Afghanistan? Are they still alive? Phil Glendenning director of the Edmund Rice centre follows the stories of refugees who Australia deemed safe to return home. For many of these people, their stories are chilling. |
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11 August 2021
 The Taliban have been making major advances across Afghanistan as foreign troops withdraw, taking at least five regional capitals since Friday. In their most significant gain, the Taliban are now reported to have overrun the northern city of Kunduz. |
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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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05 August 2021
 Launch of Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth and Cry of the Poor. Join us for the national launch of the Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor. This is the only statement where all the Bishops of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) release a joint reflection on a particular topic annually. This year it focuses on why it is so important that we as a community respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor. |
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31 July 2021
 The Fijian government is taken a very serious stance on vaccination. At the latest count 78% of the population has received one dose of vaccine. They are using Astra Zeneca. About 19% are fully vaccinated. The government has said for public servants that anyone who has not commenced vaccinated by the 1st of November will find themselves out of work. The governments “no jab no job†policy. |
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24 July 2021
 Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) has written to the Government highlighting where its refugee and asylum seeker policies do not uphold Australia’s international human rights obligations, contrary to the Government’s insistence otherwise. The United Nations Human Rights Council has reached the same conclusions in its recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) |
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14 July 2021
 For refugees, getting a full-time job and finding a place to live is incredibly difficult. That was certainly the case for Moj, a young man from Afghanistan whose entire family was killed in the war. Suffering from PTSD, he was unable to find work until an ABC documentary shared his story with the world. This report produced by Laura Kewley. |
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11 July 2021
 At 6 years old, Ruby Bridges went to school in the protection of U.S. Marshals due to threats from white families who didn't want a Black child attending school with their children.her attending a formerly all white elementary school. Ostracized by teachers & peers, Ruby soon realized she was the target of their hate simply for being born Black. Today, she speaks on the experience & the continued fight against anti-Black racism in America. |
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11 July 2021
 The Royal Dutch court has held that Royal Dutch Shell is liable for its contributions to climate change. The court found that its ongoing fossil fuel operations undermined basic guaranteed human rights and authorised the company by slashing its global carbon omissions by 45% by 2030. |
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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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28 June 2021
 29 June 2020, marks the 20th anniversary since the official launch of the Earth Charter. Therefore, Earth Charter International, in collaboration with various partner organizations, organized a series of webinars under the theme “Earth Charter 2020 Turning Conscience into Action for a Thriving Earthâ€. The event offered a space for presenters and participants to consider the relevance of the Earth Charter to current times, for instance, as an ethical compass for building the “new normalâ€.This is the recording of Webinar 1: Turning Conscience into Action for Global Collaboration Sunday, 28 June 2020 |
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27 June 2021
 We are stealing from the generations to come. The thief comes to steal and destroy. We are the thieves from the generations to come. The rich are getting richer. While the poor are becoming ever more poor. |
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27 June 2021
 Wiradjuri man Duncan Smith is an inspiration to many, but most especially his children. Meet the Wiradjuri Echoes and see them perform by the Murrumbidgee River. This film was produced for the Canberra Museum & Gallery. |
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27 June 2021
 Displaced by war, persecution and natural disaster, tens of millions of refugees have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Are we doing enough to protect the most vulnerable among them: children? |
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24 June 2021
 Be inspired and moved hearing Bishop Vincent, Idrissa, Kane and Len share their first steps on their journey as migrants and refugees. |
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23 June 2021
 As we enter July here in Australia we enter one of the coldest months of the year. One of the saddest memories I have of volunteering for St Vincent De Paul Night Patrol is arriving at Central Station park on a -1 degree July Night many years ago. The wind was blowing, and it was freezing. At 11.30 pm we were to pack up and go home to a warm bed and shower. But one of the last visitors was a couple with a stroller. They had a young child pushing her along. Maybe 2 years old. After a hot milo and some fruit which we had left, they decided to spend the night in the park in freezing conditions. A family of 3. My heart when out to them. |
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18 June 2021
 In June 2016, days ahead of the first anniversary of Laudato Si', the Global Catholic Climate Movement made its first joint divestment announcement, consisting of four religious orders in the Pacific, one of the parts of the world most threatened by rising sea levels tied to global warming. Among them were the Marist Sisters in Australia. |
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18 June 2021
 Listen to the important stories of these members of our community. CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes as experienced a 20% rise in demand for our services - particularly for homelessness and emergency accomodation. Please help support the most vulnerable in our community. |
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18 June 2021
 Affordable housing and over crowding in our community is at an all time high. Especially in Aboriginal communities we have family members living on top of each other. Couch surfing. What that relates to is that our men turn to other issues that effect them. We need to say enough enough is enough. We need to call men to be warriors in our community. There needs to be changes in mens attitudes. Men need to speak up more and return back to their roots. |
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13 June 2021
 We continue to hear sad stories from the Myanmar refugees in Thailand. MMC funds a hostel program for young refugees and an education and health program in Ranong. Some of these programs have been disrupted due to the uncertain and violent times in their country. The refugees from Myanmar attending our program in Ranong Thailand are directly across the border from Myanmar and these young people are deeply concerned for their families and relatives back in Myanmar. |
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13 June 2021
 The time has come. A fact's a fact. It belongs to them. Let's give it back. How can we dance. When our earth is turning. How do we sleep. While our beds are burning |
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12 June 2021
 Victoria and South Aust have passed this bill with options within it. For providers to conscientiously object but Queensland look to Pass the bill with no Options for Providers to object…this is very concerning.For all Christian based health and aged care facilities. |
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05 June 2021
 Breaking Boundaries tells the story of the most important scientific discovery of our time - that humanity has pushed Earth beyond the boundaries that have kept Earth stable for 10,000 years, since the dawn of civilization. The 75-minute film takes the audience on a journey of discovery of planetary thresholds we must not exceed, not just for the stability of our planet, but for the future of humanity. It offers up the solutions we can and must put in place now if we are to protect Earth’s life support systems. |
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10 May 2021
 A shelter for street boys located in the heart of Bankerohan, Davao City, Philippines. The center is administered by the Society of Mary-Marist Fathers & Brothers. |
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17 April 2021
 More than 200 people were killed or injured in Yemen in March, the deadliest so far this year. The world’s biggest humanitarian crisis has exacerbated with a second wave of Covid-19 infections. The UN is urging for a ceasefire and eventual end to the war |
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10 April 2021
 The spotlights illegal fishing fleets use are so powerful, they can be detected from space. The EU, the world's champion of sustainability, takes home almost a quarter of the yellowfin tuna court in our Indian Ocean, a species that has been overfished for years and is on the brink of collapse. Iran's fishing fleet illegally plunders the water of Yemen and Somalia, where millions of children are on the brink of starvation. And our own Australian trawlers fished out 90% of the population of orange roughy, a deep-sea perch, before we realised that this fish grows incredibly slowly and lives for up to 200 years |
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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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06 April 2021
 Floods & landslides in Indonesia & East Timor leave scores dead | DW News |
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05 April 2021
 I am wanting to let you know about the screening of a wonderful documentary, Rosemary's Way. You will find details of the screenings at Randwick, Shellharbour and Campbelltown in April and a TBA screening at Parramatta Riverside Theatre in May. |
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25 March 2021
 Father Peter Nawt Lawt, a Diocesan Priest from Myanmar, left our Marist Fathers General House Community 2 weeks ago to return to his home Diocese in Myitkyina Myanmar. Amidst the political turmoil caused by the military coup he felt he needed to be with his People in this time of their need. He had been staying with us, completing his Licentiate in Canon Law, due to a connection with Fr John Larsen, who had spent some years in that part of Myanmar where father Peter comes from. |
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24 March 2021
 Early on March 24, 1944, a Nazi patrol surrounded the home of Józef and Wiktoria Ulma on the outskirts of the village of Markowa in southeast Poland. They discovered eight Jewish people who had found refuge with the couple and executed them. |
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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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17 February 2021
 Missionary priest in Africa nominated for Nobel Peace Prize. |
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17 February 2021
 Marists from all over the world and representing all branches of the Marist Family connected on Feb 11 with Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam for a webinar on Laudato Si's 7-year planning. Fr Joshtorm is Coordinator of the Sector of “Ecology and Creation†at the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. |
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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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08 February 2021
 Pope Francis has declared the feast of St Josephine Bakhita on February 8 the International Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action against Human Trafficking. Join ACRATH and mark this day by sharing information, joining the world community in prayer and committing to do something in your own life to end slavery. |
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28 January 2021
 We do not break generations apart. That is what we learn in scripture. We carry the best of every generation with us. That is the difference between tradition and traditionalism. There was a liturgist at St John’s in Minnesota, Godfrey Dateman said one day “I don’t have a lot to teach you. But I will teach you the difference between tradition and traditionalism. Traditionalism is the stuff we pass on. Tradition is the passing on of the stuffâ€. |
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25 January 2021
 1989. Two lines of Kurdish refugees, children in the foreground and adults behind. Eyes forward or staring down the barrel of the camera, they stand squashed together, chests pressed into the backs of their line neighbour as though queueing for some inane activity. Only one young boy in a small blue parker breaks the continuity by looking directly into the camera and smiling. His smile is broad and genuine, as though he recognises the photographer – as one would smile at a friend or a beloved relative. He is calm. He shows no fear. He looks happy. |
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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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11 January 2021
 As part of a series highlighting the work of young people in addressing the climate crisis, writer Patricia Lane interviews Matt Humphrey, an Anglican priest, writer and educator who mixes faith with environmental stewardship |
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11 January 2021
 Since the 1950's, orangutan numbers have halved. Young orangutans are being snatched from the wild for the illegal pet trade, and their mothers often killed to fuel the illegal wildlife trade. |
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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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29 December 2020
 Belay Banaag is a centre for girls at risk in the south of the Philippines. Balay Banaag – “House of Hope†is a ‘safe place’ for girls at risk. This Marist Sisters Centre provides shelter, support, education and an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty for ‘at risk behaviours and abuse of girls’. These young girls come from families at risk and are very vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Often these girls cannot return home because they are at risk. Balay Banaag offers these girls a future with dignity, hope and independence. |
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29 December 2020
 This grandmother tree connects me to Country. I cried when I saw her burned. I remember brushing my teeth over the green enamel sink. I would gaze out the window at a prominent grandmother and ponder her age. This grandmother had soft pink skin, smooth and dimpled, and incredible curves that burled in places. She stood at least 25 metres tall. |
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26 December 2020
 I was exiled to that prison in August 2013. The comments underneath were full of hate towards refugees. Do the people writing this know that this place was a torture camp? Have those people ever asked themselves why refugees leave their families and flee their homelands? |
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24 December 2020
 On Wednesday, my own home church contacted me and, asked “Can you give up coming to church on Christmas day this year because the government had just halved the numbers of people who can attend church?†When I told my mum of eighty, she was quiet upset. All her life she has gone to church on Christmas day. |
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22 December 2020
 Up to 93,000 others were affected by the cyclone, the Disaster Office said — adding that those numbers may rise as communications are restored with affected areas. |
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22 December 2020
 Yesterday, 12 December, on the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, called on the leaders of the world's nations to declare states of 'climate emergency' in their countries to spur action to avoid 'catastrophic' global warming. |
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10 December 2020
 On 26 July 2013, I was with my classmates on my way home from my English language class. Suddenly, two bomb explosions occurred, one in the market and the other in the neighboring bazaar. I was just walking around the market (which was just 20 meters away from me) and going back to my village to the main town to catch a bus. The second blast almost hit me. Fortunately, I was behind a bus that saved me with just minor injuries, but I lost one of my most cherished classmates. |
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