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| Editorial |
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I recently overheard a parent telling their small child that the birds - Santa's Birds - are already out and about helping to check who's naughty or nice. As this is our last edition of Mission & Spirituality News for 2005, our thoughts turn to Advent, the season of Christmas, and tidings of peace to all people of goodwill.
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| Happenings |
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Vatican II Today & Tomorrow
To mark the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Institute of Sydney will hold three evenings of lectures to explore how key themes of the Council are shaping the present and future of the church.
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Multi-Faith Centre Hosts Interfaith Workshop
The Forum on Australian Islamic Relations and Alternatives to Violence Project Queensland (AVP) are collaborating to present a two day intensive inter-faith workshop to help people of different faiths to develop better relations and to provide skills for transforming conflict.
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Volunteer Management Seminar
The Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (NSW) and School of Volunteer Management will present a seminar for those engaging, managing or coordinating volunteers. The seminar has been organized by the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
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National Justice Festival for Young Adults
The Marist Young Adult Ministry invites people aged 17 - 30 years to join other young adults in a welcoming, fun, creative and positive community experience to listen, share, dream and find practical ways of contributing to the work of peace and justice. The Festival will take place in Ballarat, Victoria from 11 - 15 January 2006.
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| Mission & Ministry |
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InUnity Goes Online
For all the news on ecumenical affairs, check out InUnity, the newsletter of the national Council of Churches in Australia. The first online edition, InUnityo_n_l_i_n_e is now available at www.ncca.org.au/about_us/in_unity
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Make Indigenous Poverty History
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Council has launched a campaign to align the Millennium Development Goals with poverty reduction strategies that address the particular needs of Indigenous Peoples.
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Caritas' Global Gifts for Christmas
Purchase a packet of five Christmas tree decorations for $50 and support a community in need. These Christmas tree decorations are produced on recycled paper and packaged for Caritas Australia by Ozanam Industries, which provides employment for people with disabilities.
Order online at www.caritas.org.au/howtohelp/globalGifts.htm or call 1800 024 413.
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| Feature |
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Make Poverty History
In a hands-on effort to make poverty history, the Forestville-Davidson parish social justice group has made links of friendship with the village of Alas in Timor L'Este. Group members Leo Ward, Mike Skippington, Christine Mooney and Marilyn Gaffney recently visited Alas. For a report and pictures...
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| Reflection |
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Growing Peace with Local Councils
Anne Lanyon* recalls that in late 2002, when the "Shock and Awe" pre-emptive strike against Iraq was imminent, the Columban Centre for Peace Ecology and Justice decided to take specific pre-emptive action for peace. Their growing concern about the social climate of fear and uncertainty which was being encouraged by the violent international situation, led to an interfaith dialogue initiative in partnership with Affinity Intercultural Foundation and local governments.
*Anne Lanyon is the Director of the Columban Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice.
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