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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday logo - Healing Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday Resources

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Dynamic and engaging resources to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday have been released by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council. NATSICC). Homily notes, liturgy notes, prayers of intercession, videos and activities are available, celebrating this year’s theme Healing Country. “Today our world is in need of healing… We must all come together … to fight the injustices of inequality, racism and environmental damage.”

A Heart shaped lake surrounded by greenery

The worldwide Laudato Si’ Action Platform Launches

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The Vatican has launched their new world wide tool – the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. This is purpose built for families, parishes, schools, diocese and communities to make Laudato Si’ a reality. The first phase of the initiative begins today and is an opportunity for all to review initial information and get ready for the full plans to be released on St Francis of Assisi’s feast day – October 4.

Created by delegates at NATSICC Assembly

Bishops Back Call for Indigenous Voice

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The Catholic Bishops have backed the call for a National Voice for the First Peoples. They say it should involve as many First People as possible including faith-based groups like NATSICC. The Bishops back NATSICC’s call for the process to yield a tangible improvement in the lives of Australia’s First Peoples.

Budget papers

Catholic Responses to the 2021-2022 Federal Budget

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While Catholic Health Australia and the National Catholic Education Commission welcome government initiatives and new spending, Caritas Australia and the Refugee Council of Australia expressed disappointment with the 2021-2022 budget. $17.7 billion was allocated to implementing 126 of the 148 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care while Onshore Detention and Compliance costs ballooned to $1.26 billion. Injections of cash to support regional actions to suppress COVID-19 in the Pacific were welcomed, however little additional funding was added to combat growing global poverty.

John Lochowiak speaks up

Indigenous Voice in Vatican Climate Talks

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The voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics will be heard at Vatican talks in October focused on Climate change ahead of the COP26 global climate talks. Mr John Lochowiak, Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Council (NATSICC) will attend Vatican talks chaired by the Holy See on October 4. Sharing the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Mr Lochowiak has stressed the importance of connecting with the land and living in harmony and caring for the earth.  

Our Journey, My Journey Logo

Video Showcases Refugees & Migrants 

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“Home isn’t where you were born, home is where all your attempts to escape cease,” Kane, student and refugee. Four stories of overcoming at times insurmountable challenges have been told first hand by Kane, Idrissa, Len and Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen. All share their own personal stories as aslyum seekers, refugees and migrants in Australia this new video resource available free online. Available to use for Refugee Week or Migrant and Refugee Sunday, this Catholic resource by the Diocese of Parramatta gets behind the headlines to the personal stories in “My Journey, Our Journey.” 

Woman advocating

Charities’ Free Speech at Risk

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Catholic Social Services Australia has joined with faith-based charities to speak out against proposed changes to the Australia Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s governance standards. Proposed changes would expand Standard 3 so that charities may face ‘the constant threat’ of their charitable status being removed. Dr Ursula Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of CSSA said, “We believe that the proposal as drafted will leaves us in the position of having to monitor and ‘punish’ staff, volunteers, and those of our members, or face the constant threat of our charitable status removed.”

Poster for Sowers of Hope information

Laudato Si’ – Sowers of Hope

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The Office of Social Justice and Caritas Australia’s Catholic Earthcare program will co-host a prayer and reflection event to celebrate the conclusion of the Laudato Si’ Year.

Female Under-Secretary for Dicastery

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Pope Francis has appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Her appointment has been welcomed as a sign of Pope Francis’ commitment to bringing about a ‘more incisive presence’ of women in the Church. Sr Smerilli was already an advisor to the Vatican City State, consultor of… Read More »Female Under-Secretary for Dicastery