Your Weekly Journey Catholic Radio Podcast | Episode 103

This week on the Journey (Ep103) We are one week out from our Second Birthday. Thanks for being part of The Journey so far! We have a terrific show prepared for you this week. Fr Graham Schmitzer provides a brilliant reflection on the Gospel for the 17th Sunday in ordinary time and Fr Dave Callaghan MGL calls us to think about the path to heaven. The ever popular Trish McCarthy asks us to think about the push and pull factors in our lives and Sr Hilda Scott OSB gives us simple Wisdom from the Abbey as we learn from leaves. The show keeps growing each week and it's a pretty simple way to share your faith and enrich the lives of others by simply forwarding this email and asking them to subscribe by clicking here. The Journey is a weekly program developed by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong and is the only Catholic radio program in Australia aired on general Christian radio. Listen to the presenter inputs this week below: Gospel Reflection with Fr Graham Schmitzer (John 6:1-15) "The Leaf"- Wisdom from the Abbey with Sr Hilda Scott OSB "What Makes Someone Great?" – with Bruce Downes 'The Catholic Guy' "Pull v Push Factors" – Milk and Honey with Trish McCarthy "The Path to Heaven" – The Call with Fr Dave Callaghan MGL "Flashing Green Lights" – Living the Gospel with Peter Gilmore Or listen to the full show (click the below graphic): You can also listen to all our past shows at www.jcr.org.au You can also subsribe to the Journey Catholic Radio Podcast on iTunes and have it automatically downloaded onto your iOS Podcast app or your iTunes Store. Click the following link to subscribe via iTunes: We love to hear feedback and comments on the show too, so drop us an email at journey@dow.org.au or call (02) 4222 2407. Yours in Christ Jude Hennessy Program Director As heard on:

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong · PO Box 1239 · Wollongong, Nsw 2500 · Australia

CAPSA July 2015 Bulletin

 

CATHOLIC ALLIANCE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM JULY 2015 BULLETIN   If you have just joined CAPSA, welcome to our Alliance and our regular monthly bulletin that aims to keep you informed on issues, events and initiatives across Australia.  We believe that together we CAN make a difference to Australia's harsh policies towards asylum seekers: starting with small acts of kindness and hospitality in our own communities and building a collective national voice for compassion, as Pope Francis has urged.   Migrant and Refugee Sunday: 30 August 2015 "Jesus Christ is always waiting to be recognised in migrants and refugees, in displaced persons and in exiles, and through them he calls us to share our resources, and occasionally to give up something of our acquired riches." Pope Francis' 2015 World Migrant and Refugee Day message   VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY RESOURCES     Where can you add your voice? Australia's peak health professional bodies are voicing collective concern about "appalling secrecy provisions" in the Australian Border Force Act 2015 which threaten jail for up to two years for health and medical professionals who disclose information about the conditions in immigration Detention Centres. Read more. Call your local MP to say that medical professionals should be free to voice concerns about the health of asylum seekers. Also let Labor MPs know that you want more compassion in asylum seeker policies ahead of the 2015 ALP National Conference being held in Melbourne from 24-26 July.   Refugee Week 2015 "You are not illegal immigrants, you are not unauthorised arrivals. You are welcome!" Corinne Grant and many others delivered inspiring speeches at the Refugee Advocacy Network's World Refugee Day rally in Melbourne. It was heartening to see celebrations and protests held across Australia during Refugee Week 2015 to welcome those who have sought refuge on our shores and to work for more compassionate policies from our government. Please share your favourite photos and stories from your events, so we can share more widely on Facebook or Twitter.   Asylum Seeker Parish Support Program Thirty-five parishes from the Melbourne Archdiocese were represented at Catholic Social Services' recent Welcome The Asylum Seeker Parish Support Program, which talked about the many ways that Catholic communities can support asylum seekers in their midst, from teaching English to providing housing. Here are some of the comments that were shared amongst the group: "Supporting asylum seekers in parishes to speak English is important, but friendship and support are even more so."  "We were pleasantly surprised at the level of support for the asylum seeker family who moved into the parish house. We always have more people wanting to help with things than we actually need." "Commitment to asylum seekers in the parish may need to be long and deep. One parishioner has been supporting a family for 12 years through complex trauma." Watch this space for notice of future events and let us know if your parish or diocese hosts similar forums. CAPSA also caught up after the event with one of the main speakers, Sr Brigid Arthur: see her Q&A about why we need to build a Catholic coalition for change in asylum seeker policies.    Some valuable reading Don't miss Fr Andy Hamilton's regular reflections on asylum seekers: Pope calls for forgiveness of those who close doors on refugees     What would Pope Francis say? "I invite you all to ask forgiveness for the persons and the institutions who close the door to these people who are seeking a family, who are seeking to be protected. These brothers and sisters of ours are seeking refuge far from their lands, they are seeking a home where they can live without fear." 17 June, 2015   Out in the schools and parishes Don't miss this stunning silent protest by students from St. Joseph's College in Echuca, Victoria.   VISIT OUR WEBSITE   Can we bring about change?  See the 4 steps for action that barrister Julian Burnside outlined recently for Vinnies Victoria.   Three things you CAN do . . . LIKE us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Join the alliance   Did you know? Australia spends 5 times more than the UNHCR's entire South East Asian budget on offshore processing of asylum seekers. Facebook Twitter capsa.org.au   © Jesuit Social Services 2015

Pray For Someone You Love with The Catholic Guy

I write to invite you to Pray For Someone You Love with me starting on Saturday 1 August 2015. We all know people who are disconnected from Church in some way, who do not attend or who are in need of our prayers. Jesus said to pray together for our needs. We are going to do this through what we are calling the 30.15.5 CHALLENGE. To know all the details click on this short 3 minute video that will explain exactly what is involved. To Register to Pray For Someone You Love with The Catholic Guy click here or go to TheCatholicGuy.tv/Pray There is no cost involved just your decision to accept the Challenge to Pray For Someone You Love. Don't miss out. Regards Bruce Downes The Catholic Guy Ministry

 

Parish, School Pastoral Support Evening

Parish, School Pastoral Support Evening
How the Diocesan Pastoral Plan assists your Community

 

Tuesday 28 July 2015, Campbelltown

7.30pm to 9.00pm

Why Come to the Evening?

Wanting to serve God in your community in the areas of Family, Healing and Outreach? Does your community have great ideas but is unsure where to start? Do you start out with lots of energy and then lose momentum? Are you looking for ideas, support and resources to help? Would you like to network with other local parishes and schools on common goals?

What will happen on the Evening?

Diocesan agencies will have a range of resources on display and a number of staff will be on hand to offer practical assistance to parishes, ethnic communities and schools.

The Diocesan Pastoral Plan will be shared, with a parish offering a step by step guide to how it puts the plan to use to help support its own pastoral work.

Agenda

7.00pm	Registration, Tea and Coffee
7.30pm	Welcome & Prayer	William Walker Chancellor
7.35pm	Introduction: How the Plan serves you	Bishop Peter Ingham
7.40pm	Explaining the Plan and the Support Available	Richard McMahon Director of Parish Services
7.55pm	A local parish shows how it applies the Plan to support its own pastoral work	Presented by a local parish
8.10pm	Each parish works on one idea for their own community, either prepared beforehand or considered during the evening. *
8.40pm	Feedback and Questions
8.55pm	Final words and blessing	William Walker and Bishop Peter
9.00pm	Close and Cuppa

* Agency staff from CEO, CatholicCare and Bishop’s Office on hand to offer support.

 

How can we get the Most out of the Evening?

1.       Ensure that the majority of your parish pastoral council or community representatives attend.

2.       Familiarise yourself with the plan before the evening

3.       Mix with people from other communities to share ideas

4.       Pick up available resources

5.       Make connections with key contacts from diocesan agencies

6.       Come prepared with your own idea(s) from your community

 

Our Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2015 - 2017
Frequently Asked Questions

 

a.      Where can we get more copies of the plan?

The plan is available online at http://www.imags.com.au/diocesan_pastoral_plan/# and hard copies are available upon request.

 

b.      What happens if we miss the Support Evening?

It is hoped representatives from each community can make a meeting, as many helps will be available and opportunities to connect with other communities. However, we are still happy to assist and can visit your own community to help you with the Plan.

 

c.       Can we still use the plan if we do not have a pastoral council?

A parish pastoral council is ideal for pastoral planning, but there are many other options. Please contact us for advice – either in starting your own council, or using the plan in other ways.

 

d.      We are too busy to use the plan. Can we get help with our existing parish needs?

The plan seeks to support your existing parish needs in terms of forward planning. If you require immediate assistance, please contact us. The diocese offers a range of supports.

 

e.       This Plan says it is 2015 to 2017. But we are halfway through the year! Isn't it a little late?

It follows on from our 2011 to 2015 Diocesan Pastoral Plan. The final year of the old plan corresponds with the first year of the new plan (ie Family)

 

e.       What happened to the old plan? What happened to Parishes Working Together?

Many actions from the old plan have been achieved and these achievements are listed in the new plan. Other actions are still unfolding, such as Parishes Working Together. 

 

f.        What if our parish does not wish to engage with the diocesan pastoral plan?

The plan does not seek to force us to do something. Rather, it offers us a useful way in achieving our goals, and a great variety of suggestions from our parishes and agencies. As long as we are planning in this Diocese, it makes sense to draw upon the supports offered in this resource.

 

g.      What if our parish wants to do something unconnected with plan?

The plan itself encourages a response to local needs, and leaves room to create your own approaches. However, you are encouraged to use the framework of the plan as a way to support you in achieving your goal.

 

h.      What about the work of the Pastoral Research Office and Building Stronger Parishes? (ie how can we use this research to assist our planning?)

There are many tools available to assist with pastoral planning. Our parishes will be encouraged to explore these other tools going forward, and more information will be available in early 2016.

 

i.        The Diocesan Pastoral Plan has so many ideas. How much are we expected to achieve?

Parishes are not expected to do everything. Good planning involves working within our means. If that means choosing just one action in a year to achieve, then that is a great start. Equally, build on what is already working, and fit existing initiatives into the framework of Plan.

 

 

Contact: Helen Bennett: helen.bennett@dow.org.au | 4222 2403

 

Activity Sheet: For Parish & School Pastoral Support Evening

What is One Objective you wish to Plan for or Build Upon?

If you have time before the evening…

Identify a key objective with your community leader (eg parish priest, school principal). It may be a work you are already engaged in, or a new objective you are planning for. Please fill out this page with as much detail as you can (or use page 11 in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan). You can then get support on the night.

If you are not sure of an objective or have no time to prepare…

Please bring this page. You will have time with other members of your community to work through this sheet. If still unsure, skip tp part D and choose one of the three sample objectives. Then create some actions. There will be support available on the night.

A.      What is our area of need?

 

B.      What goal dies our need relate to in the diocesan plan?

 

 

 

C.      What are we already doing in this area?

 

 

D.      Where will we direct our energies?

 

Need help? The following objectives can help a community unsure of where to begin. They are all taken from the “Strengthening Community Life and Outreach” goal.

1.       Develop strategies for FAMILY inclusion into parish life, especially focusing on those who are not within regular community life

2.       Continue to grow existing YOUTH ministries, chaplaincies and movements, and develop new opportunities and resources to support engagement of young people

3.       Increase HOME VISITS to sick and elderly and those going through grief and loss

 

E.       What actions will we take?

Action Needed?	Who is responsible?	By When?	Resources required?	Measures of Success?