God Speaks

Whispers The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.  But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see. And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born. But, the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here."  Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on. I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted ... even in our electronic age..  So I would like to add one more: The man cried, "God, I need your help!" And an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying .. Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect. My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Won't you please pass this to people you want to be blessed. Have A Beautiful Day!

 

God Speaks

Strange LinkedIn Pages

I recently deleted some strange LinkedIn pages that had appeared on my blog. I don’t currently have or use a LinkedIn account  so if you get anything from LinkedIn purporting to be me you can ignore it.

MSJN Meeting Saturday12th November 2:30pm

The Macarthur Social Justice Network exists to promote social justice and peace, ecological concern and respect for life in society, in the light of the Gospel and the social teaching of the Church.	Notice of Meeting   You are invited to attend the next Macarthur Social Justice Network meeting to be held on:   Saturday 12th November 2011 between 2:30pm and 4:30pm at St Thomas More Parish Hall , 43 Acacia Avenue, Ruse cost $2 donation   Agenda: Business of Committee 2:30pm-3pm 1.      Opening Prayer 2.      Attendance 3.      Apologies 4.      Previous Minutes 5.      Chair's Report 6.      Treasurer's Report 7.      Secretary's Report 8.      General Business a.      Adoption of Constitution 9.      Closing Prayer   Workshop 3pm-4:30pm 1.      Parish Reports and Issues 2.      Local News and Issues 3.      Drafting of Press Releases       Regards, Sean Donovan
The Macarthur Social Justice Network is the local presence of the Wollongong Diocesan Justice Ecology and Peace Council   If you know of anyone who would like to join in our discussions and activities please invite them along Is anyone you know would like to receive our notices please ask them to email secretary@msjn.org Should you no longer wish to receive emails please let us know by email to secretary@msjn.org

 

Papua New Guinea - Sunday 23/10 at 6pm - St John's Campbelltown Hall Meeting Room

	Come and learn more about our nearest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, with special guest Fr Isaac Koi msc.   Find out something about the work of the Church in PNG as well as the particular challenges in that country.   Take the opportunity to view photo's, read about the missionary activities, and see how you might be able to do something now or in the future.   All welcome.   Where: St John's, Campbelltown               - Hall Meeting Room When: Sunday 23/10 at 6pm Cost: Free (donations welcome J)

 

 

 

Diocese of Wollongong Liturgy Festival | Last Chance to Register!

Registrations are closing this week for the Diocesan Liturgy Festival to be held on Saturday 29 October, 9.30am - 5.00pm, at St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong, followed by Mass with Bishop Peter Ingham at the Cathedral at 6.00pm. The purpose of the Festival is to come together as a Diocese to refresh and reinvigorate our appreciation of liturgy through a day of uplifting music, workshops, stalls, good keynote speakers, networking and, most importantly, by celebrating the Eucharist together. The cost of the event has been kept as low as possible to encourage wide participation ($25 Adults; $10 Students and Pensioners). However, if cost is an issue for you, please contact Helen Bennett on 4253 0934 or helen.bennett@woll.catholic.org.au You can register online or by mail, email, fax or over the phone with Helen. See the below poster for links to online registration and links to download the brochure and paper registration.

The Diocesan Liturgy Festival is the major event for 2011 to help realise one of the key goals in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan - that our celebration of the Mass will be an uplifting experience of the community at prayer and worship.

 

 

Catholic Bishops launch major statement on prisons and the justice system - Link

Here is a link with info and further links

Catholic Bishops launch major statement on prisons and the justice system

Building Bridges, Not Walls

Building Bridges, Not Walls

Prisons and the Justice System

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2011 - 2012

Join us on

Sunday 6pm

(after 5pm Mass)

In the Hall Meeting Room

Interested in Social Justice?

Visit www.msjn.org

Following Jesus

Following Jesus – Matthew eConference.  

Tues 6 Sept.        10.30am-2.45pm

1. Excellent speakers
2. Bulletin notices have already gone to parishes.
3. Any parish or person can host the conference. All the details are on the conference website:

                    http://matthew.vividas.com

4. Currently the following venues are confirmed hosts:

Magdalen Secondary College; Moss Vale, Varroville, Nowra, Kiama parishes; Marian Centre;

5. We suggest that people bring their own lunch; parish might provide refreshments.
6. Previous conferences are available either on line, or through the purchase of cdrom.
7. Bellambi Resource Centre has the set of previous conferences.

It is possible to arrange the seminar at another time that better suits your local area. If you need any assistance please contact me:         vivien.williams@woll.catholic.org.au                Ph: 4253 0822

__________________________________________________________________________________

INFORMATION FROM BROKEN BAY INSTITUTE

          The Broken Bay Institute in partnership with The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

                

Following Jesus- Matthew  6th National eConference –
e:econferences@bbi.catholic.edu.au        t: +61 2 9847 0726        
  

You can now register for the Following Jesus – Matthew eConference which takes place soon. Follow the link http://matthew.vividas.com and click on the register button.

We strongly encourage you to register your site or your individual participation as we often receive enquiries from people that would love to participate with others.

On the Official Website you will find

1. The Program
2. Facilitator Questions (coming soon)
3. Reading Resources
4. How to host an eConference guide
5. Registered eConference site listing (coming soon)
6. Jan Hynes, The Artist

John Garratt Publishing are offering prizes of a $2000 voucher for an organisation and a $500 voucher for an individual who participates in this eConference.

I have attached a simple "What to do" to assist you.

Rhonda Andersen. Communications Office. Diocese of Broken Bay

P:  (02) 9847 0726        E:  econferences@bbi.catholic.edu.au 

Madrid Encounter

	Faith and Life News | Catholic Diocese of Wollongong World Youth Day @ Home   While some people are soon to jet off to celebrate World Youth Day in Madrid, there are many more who have not been able (for a variety of reasons) to pack their bags and head to Spain, so we've planned to bring some of the flavour and excitement of World Youth Day to them. On Saturday, August 20 the Diocese of Wollongong, in association with the Wollongong Youth Mission Team and the Verbum Dei Missionaries, will be presenting 'Madrid Encounter', a day-long event filled to the brim with all the things that make World Youth Day the amazing event it is, including Catechesis with Sr Hilda Scott OSB, a dramatic Way of the Cross, Reconciliation, a Spanish Fiesta, Mass followed by a Youth Festival. We also hope to get some live updates from our pilgrims direct from Madrid, Spain. All this for the bargain price of $10, which includes all meals. Pre-registration is essential for catering purposes. Head to www.dow.org.au/youth for more information and to register. For more information contact Chris on 4284 1635. If you're on Facebook and want to stay in touch withall things youth, find 'Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong' and get regular updates. There are almost one hundred young people from our diocese heading to Spain to celebrate World Youth Day. Please keep these young pilgrims in your prayers.
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, 86-88 Market Street (PO Box 1239), Wollongong NSW 2500. For more information, please call (02) 4253 0900 or email info@dow.org.au

W

Social Justice Meeting This Week

Social Justice Meeting This Week

Join us at St Thomas More Parish Hall , 43 Acacia Avenue, Ruse this Saturday 13th August at 2:30pm Regular meeting this week and the chance to discuss with others current social justice issues. "Social Justice is an integral part of the Gospel. Within an Australian context social justice means ... examining our local situation to discover structures or influences that prevent people living as people of God". Archbishop John Bathersby

The Poet Lorikeet (Part 2)

The Poet Lorikeet (Part 2)

SMP Donovan

Yellow, black and grey,

A train lies still as we pass by.

Yellow, blue and silver,

A seat that sits unsat.

Yellow, brown and green,

A fence dividing.

Yellow, blue and white,

A sign on the toilet.

Yellow, red and black,

Hanging on a truck.

Yellow smeared on grey,

Graffiti on a wall.

Yellow coiled with dust,

Cables on a track.

Yellow containers.

Yellow machines.

Yellow fences.

Yellow warnings.

What is the flavour of yellow?

Deep

Deep

SMP Donovan

The Ocean is deep.

Space is deep.

I know Deep.

This is not deep.

Macarthur Social Justice Network Meeting Saturday - NAIDOC Week

The Aboriginal Community in Macarthur

Guest Speaker: Uncle Ivan, Aboriginal Community Elder

As part of NAIDOC week 2011 the Macarthur Social Justice Network will meet this Saturday 9th July at 2:30pm to listen to Aboriginal Community Elder Uncle Ivan speak about the Aboriginal Community in Macarthur.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

Join us at St Thomas More Parish Hall , 43 Acacia Avenue, Ruse this Saturday 9th July at 2:30pm to help celebrate NAIDOC week.

http://www.naidoc.org.au/

Clemente

Images on a Train

Images on a Train

SMP Donovan

Grey hair whispers to grey hair.

A turban reads, with wires in his ears.

Smooth hair leans against a window

Leaving an oily smear.

The Watch

The Watch

SMP Donovan

Dumb, mute eyes that watch.

A watch that tells the time.

And only time will tell.

PNG Photo's link to YouTube

Hi,

It seems I've been having some trouble sending gmail messages for a couple of months (some mail has been disappearing into the ether). You may have missed emails from me during that time.

In case you missed it before, here is a link to a Youtube video of my photo's from PNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPhh-mKjctY

Enjoy!

Sean

The Poet Lorikeet (Part 1)

The Poet Lorikeet (Part 1)

SMP Donovan

It is a hot winter.

My eyes are parched

like sand blown rocks.

Chapped lips, arid nostrils,

a tiredness hangs

heavy on my face.

The sun strikes

warm against the ground.

And yet, here and there, shadows

spread a dark chill

hiding nefariously the

secrets half untold.

A voice tries to speak.

Clouds appear, a leaden grey

to mock the winter blue.

Silence.

Biscuits and Cake

Biscuits and Cake

SMP Donovan

Biscuits are hard, but after they go stale they get soft.

Cakes are soft, but after they go stale they get hard.

Are you a cake or a biscuit?

Faith and Life News May 2011

 

	Faith and Life News | Catholic Diocese of Wollongong May 2011 1 – 9 May Spirituality of Journey – Walking with Jesus The Spirituality for Journey – Walking with Jesus retreat explores our relationship with God within the context of the moment of our life's journey. This retreat is composed of: daily input session, the opportunity of a daily meeting with a Prayer Companion; daily celebration of Eucharist and opportunity for individual sacramental Reconciliation. All retreats commence with the evening meal at 6.00pm followed by the Eucharist on the first day.Retreats conclude following an early afternoon Eucharist on the last day. Accompanied by the Retreat Team. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 0233. Email towersretreat@bigpond.com 1 – 9 May 8 Day Directed Retreat Come to the silence, there to hear your God speaking deep within. All retreats commence with the evening meal at 6.00pm followed by the Eucharist on the first day. Retreats conclude following an early afternoon Eucharist on the last day. Accompanied by the Retreat Team. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 0233. Email towersretreat@bigpond.com 2, 9 & 16 May Partnership Course (Marriage and relationships Wollongong. 6.30pm – 9.30pm. CatholicCare. Tel 4628 0044. 35a Cordeaux Street, Campbelltown 7 May Day Retreat Eucharistic Spirituality We celebrate Mass frequently but how does our celebration connect with our life? Today we will explore the mystery of the Eucharist and its consequences for our lives as disciples. Fr Aloysius Rego OCD. Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville. Tel 9603 1433 7 May Good News Prayer and Leisure Program Good New Community. jeanieh@materdei.org.au 9 May Spirituality in the Pub Changing Consciousness – clinging to history or grasping the future. Fr Kevin Burke Jamberoo Pub. Commencing at 7.30pm. Meals are available from 5.30pm – 7.30pm. 9, 16, 23 & 30 May and 6 & 22 June Level 2 Course for Catechists CCD Centre, Micah House, Campbelltown. 9.30am – 2.00pm. Jude Hennessy 4253 0987 11 – 19 May 8 Day Healing Retreat Open the doors of hurt and let the goodness of God's light shed new warmth upon your pain. The Healing Heart - life's healing journey is a silent retreat which draws on the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus. Any hurtful life experience, loss or painful memory can be headed and transformed through the grace and power of God. There is no hurtful or limiting experience of ours which Jesus has not shared. The Life's Hearing Journey Retreat is a blend of: daily input session; daily meeting with Prayer Companion; daily celebration of Eucharist; celebration of Reconciliation and celebration of Anointing. All retreats commence with the evening meal at 6.00pm followed by the Eucharist on the first day. Retreats conclude following an early afternoon Eucharist on the last day. Accompanied by the Retreat Team.St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 0233. Email towersretreat@bigpond.com May 11 – 19 8 Day Directed Retreat Let God take you deeper into love. Accompanied by the Retreat Team. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 0233. Email towersretreat@bigpond.com 13 May World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) Mass at 12.10pm. (Catholic Women's League). St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Wollongong 13 May Life Ascending Bookclub – study of books related to religion Life Ascending is for Catholics and other Christians in their middle and later years. Spirituality: to deepen awareness of God in their lives. Friendship: to enjoy and create close and lasting friendships. Loving Service; to share their wisdom and concern for all those in need. Simonette Bunder 4227 5637 13 – 15 May God's "Absence" in our Culture! How does one believe? The Focolare spirituality of "Jesus forsaken and Mary desolate" can give meaning to a secular world. Fr Brendan Purcell. Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville. Tel 9603 1433 13, 20 & 27 May and 3, 10 &17 June Level 2 Course for Catechists Xavier Centre, Bellambi. 9.30am – 2.00pm. Jude Hennessy 4253 0987 15 May DIOCESAN MASS to launch the new musical setting of the Mass. A diocesan Mass to launch the new musical setting to be sung throughout the Diocese will be held on Sunday, 15 May at 3.00pm in St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral. Bishop Peter Ingham will be the main celebrant. The Mass, composed by Irish priest, Fr Liam Lawton incorporates the new translation of the Mass and was introduced with critical acclaim at a Diocesan workshop in February. Parishioners from around the Diocese are invited to attend this Mass to hear how the Mass will sound with full choir and orchestra. Following the Mass food and drink will be served in the parish grounds. Anyone wishing to sing in the choir at this Mass is asked to attend a practice on Wednesday, 4 May at 7.00pm in the Parish Meeting Room, St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Wollongong or on Thursday, 5 May at 7.00pm in St Paul's Church, Camden. To register attendance for the choir practice please contact the Diocesan Offices on 4253 0900. 17 – 23 May Guided Retreat An Unfathomable Love A guided retreat exploring the depths of God's love for us. Fr Chris Chaplin MSC. Hartzer Park Centre, Eridge Park Tel 4861 3223 hartzprk@bigpond.net.au May 21 – 29 8 Day Directed Retreat Listen in the silence, with no other light but that which in your heart burns for God. Accompanied by the Retreat Team. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park 4630 0233. Email towersretreat@bigpond.com 24 May Pilgrimage to Marian Shrine, Unanderra Catholic Women's League 27 May Prayer Around the Cross Drawing inspiration from the prayers and music of Taize in France. A key element of Taize prayer is that it is ecumenical Christian prayer, a prayer for which Christians of all traditions are given an opportunity to gather together in the spirit of the Risen Lord …to offer a quiet atmosphere for prayer and reflection. Cambewarra Union Church, Main Road, Cambewarra. 7.00pm. Contact Gabrielle Fogarty 4232 2735 or email gfogarty@exemail.com.au 27 – 29 May Art Retreat – Nurture Growth in the Spiritual Life What seeds need to be sown to nurture growth in the spiritual life? This question will be explored through the artistic process in conjunction with encountering the teachings of the mystics. No previous experience in artistic work is required. Cost: $170. Mr John Charadia and Fr Greg Burke OCD Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville Tel 9603 1433 31 May Wollongong Spirituality in the Pub We are believers who are attempting to establish a forum for conversation within the Catholic Church in Australia. Our aim is to prompt open exchanges among the community of believers, mindful of the diversity of expression of faith in contemporary Australia. Catalyst for Renewal Mission Statement. Bulli Heritage Hotel, Bulli. 7.30pm – 9.00pm. Simonette Bunder 4227 5637 or wollsip@gmail.com CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Come join our Catechists for some Training and Faith Formation. The following training courses for catechists are not far away. if you are not a catechist but would like to complete the course of studyfor personal faith formation, you are most welcome to join us and will still receive a certificate on completion of the course. Level 2 Course. Topics includeChild Development, Teaching Children with Special Needs, The Story of God's People, Helping Children Learn about Church and the Liturgical Year, The Christmas & Easter Story, Living our Faith, Moral Development, Values Education, Creative arts in the Classroom, Faith Development in Children and Young People, Christian Initiation of Children, Celebrating Sacraments of Initiation and Ecumenical Cooperation. Where and When: Illawarra & Shoalhaven: (Venue: Xavier Centre, 2 Bond Street Bellambi) Dates: May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17 (9.30am-2.00pm) and Macarthur/Southern Highlands: (Venue: Micah House, 35a Cordeaux St Campbelltown) Dates: May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6 & 20 (9.30-2.00pm) Berekah Retreat: 5 day Retreat of renewal and prayer conducted by CEO Wollongong with two spots for Catechists. May 15-20 Venue: Mt St Benedict Centre Hull Road, Pennant Hills If you are interested in attending any of these courses, please contact Illawarra Catechist Regional Coordinator Leonie Green on 4225 0137, leonie.green@woll.catholic.org.au, Peter Gilmore 4640 8549, peter.gilmore@woll.catholic.org.au or Helen Bennett 4253 0934 helen.bennett@woll.catholic.org.au
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, 86-88 Market Street (PO Box 1239), Wollongong NSW 2500. For more information, please call (02) 4253 0900 or email info@dow.org.au