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This issue of Mission & Spirituality News marks the passing of Pope John Paul II by focusing on some of the major themes of his teaching and pastoral action.
Our Happenings reflect Pope John Paul II's action agenda: global trade justice, interfaith relations, and reading the signs of the times.
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| Happenings |
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Trade Justice Action Week
The Global Week of Action for Trade Justice, 10 - 16 April invites all people and groups who are active on international trade issues to take action within their own areas in order to produce a global impact. Catholic bodies backing the campaign include the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, the Sisters of Charity Action Network, and the Social Justice Committee of the Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes, NSW.
| - Sisters of Charity Action Network |
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Merton's Spiritual Path
Thomas Merton's spirituality, humour, and his contemplation of nature, offer a refreshing pathway to God. This course, to be held on Tuesday evenings 3 - 31 May at the Augustinian Centre for Spirituality at Greystanes, NSW, introduces Merton's story and journey to conversion, his personality and his life as a monk. The focus will be on Merton as a Catholic writer who reached out to other spiritual traditions.
| - Augustinian Centre for Spirituality |
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NPPN to Read the Signs of the Times
The National Pastoral Planners Network Conference will be held 23 - 26 October, in Newcastle. The theme will be continuing to 'read the signs of our times' and trying to identify the 'signs of hope in our emerging church'. Organisers are confident that a range of quality speakers will soon be confirmed.
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For Whom the Bell Tolls
The tolling, chiming and ringing of bells carry deep symbolism in many religions and cultures. Radio National's The Rythmn Divine recently explored the use of bells in a variety of religious traditions and spiritual paths. A transcript of the discussion with excellent links to further information is available on their website.
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Perth Festival Seeks the Face of God
Where do we seek transcendence today? Artists, writers, teachers and scientists discussed the role of religion in politics, art, science and literature as part of the Perth International Art Festival earlier this year.
Transcripts of the contributions of best-selling British author Salley Vickers; Curator of Seeking Transcendence, the art exhibition for the Festival, John Stringer; American sociologist and Jesuit priest, John Coleman; social theorist John Carroll; political studies lecturer and author, Samina Yasmeen; and science writer and teacher of Aboriginal spirituality, Munya Andrews can be viewed on the Radio National website.
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Light of Australia
In 2005, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Council is organising a special series of The Light of Australia talks, to help in trying to bring Indigenous issues back to the centre of Australian attention. The talks will reflect on the last 20 years since Pope John Paul II gave his speech to Indigenous people at Alice Springs in 1986, and will share some reflection about ways forward for Church and Nation. These events will be held in every capital city and some other major centres across Australia between March-May 2005, with the support of state and territory ecumenical bodies.
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Parramatta Youth Plan
Parramatta Diocese is calling all the baptised to contribute to the faith of the young and to heighten the awareness of youth ministry. In a strategic plan, In Our Hands, launched on 5 April young people, priests, parishioners, schools, principals, and youth movements are invited to come together to address the issues young people have brought forward. Strategy packs outlining ways of engaging with local young people to bring about change were given to youth contacts and faith communities. It is also hoped that deaneries, schools and parishes will collaborate on particular projects. The Youth Apostolate together with key stakeholders and clergy will be steering the implementation process.
| - Youth and Young Adult Apostolate, Parramatta Diocese |
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Research Resource
Looking for help on research methods for pastoral work?
The Christian Research Association has produced a CD-Rom goes through the process of research - from identifying the area, specifying the research questions, to conducting the study and applying the research. Some databases from the National Church Life Survey and the Australian Community Survey, bibliographies, and software for analysis are included.
| - Christian Research Association |
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| Feature |
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The Church & Democracy
Pope John Paul II was closely linked with movements for democracy in Eastern Europe, and the role of religion in a democracy has been the subject of special interest in recent times. Western Catholics may be surprised to know that the Catholic Church has only in recent decades offered a positive assessment of democracy as we know it today. Bishop Christopher Prowse, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, offers his observations to assist the current debate. He argues that, with the tools of dialogue and respect - logic and right reasoning and an amplified anthropological foundation - there is a real chance that religion in Australian democracy may be ready to begin a new chapter.
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| Reflection |
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Aboriginal Elder Betty Pike recalls that when Pope John Paul II spoke to Aboriginal people at Alice Springs in 1986, his speech was like a blue print for an initiation into a New Dreaming for the future, for all Australians to share and create together, using some of the finer aspects of Aboriginal culture as the cornerstone.
In this reflection Betty concludes that somehow, the cornerstone has been misplaced. It has to be rediscovered and given its rightful priority, otherwise we are not a nation built on rock but on sand. She says "It is time now to let go of our fears and begin with the cornerstone of Hope and the underlying wisdom of our ancestors who as stewards and guardians of the
land, kept it sustainable for thousands of generations."
Betty Pike is an Aboriginal Elder, writer and educator. She is deeply involved in the Catholic community in Melbourne.
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