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Catholic news from across the diocese
Pope praises alliances that span the ages
During an address which took place in front of the Pope’s general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall in August, Pope Francis emphasised the family’s need for healthy relationships and dialogue between the young and the elderly. “The alliance – and I am saying alliance – the alliance between the elderly and children will save the human family,” he said. “If this dialogue does not take place between the elderly and the young, the future cannot be clearly seen.” In his address, the pope said “it is painful – and harmful – to see that the ages of life are conceived of as separate worlds, in competition among themselves, each one seeking to live at the expense of the other: this is not right.” “Old age,” he said, “must bear witness – for me, this is the core, the most central aspect of old age – old age must bear witness to children that they are a blessing.” “This witness consists in their initiation – beautiful and difficult – into the mystery of our destination in life that no one can annihilate, not even death. To bring the witness of faith before a child is to sow that life. To bear the witness of humanity too, and of faith, is the vocation of the elderly.” According to the Pope, “the witness of the elderly is credible to children,” and “young people and adults are not capable of bearing witness in such an authentic, tender, poignant way, as elderly people can.” He praised when an old person can lay aside any resentment he or she feels at growing old in order to bless life as it comes.
A step towards reconciliation
Hundreds gathered in support of the launch of the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) last month. The Reflect RAP is the start of the Diocese’s formalised reconciliation journey. It builds on various initiatives that Diocesan agencies and the local Church have been undertaking for many years, with the aim of fostering the spiritual, cultural, social awareness and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The Reflect RAP is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and centres on pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance. Director of Pastoral Ministries and Chair of the RAP Reference Group, Teresa Brierley said the Reflect RAP provides an opportunity for us to all reflect on the important role that we can play in the reconciliation journey. “It will lead us on a path to progress our mutual trust and develop an understanding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Can you help make a difference?
During winter, the Food Programs operated by CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning experienced an increase in patronage across all locations. The organisation is asking for the community’s support to ensure it can continue to deliver this invaluable service and that everyone is welcomed with food, support and a smile. Can you make a difference? By making a tax-deductible donation to its 2022 appeal you can help CatholicCare’s staff and volunteers continue to provide meals and connect more people to services. Visit catholiccare.org.au to make your donation.
Protecting children
National Child Protection Week (4-10 September) aims to engage, educate, and empower Australians to understand the complexity of child abuse and neglect, and work together to prevent it. In line with the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s commitment to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all children and vulnerable adults, its agencies will be taking part in various initiatives to designed to encourage communities to engage in conversations around children’s safety and wellbeing. To find out more, visit officeofsafeguarding.org.au
Help Catholic Mission build brighter futures
This October, you are invited to celebrate World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of mission around the world. World Mission Month provides an opportunity for you to partner with Catholic Mission and the Church in Ethiopia to build brighter futures for families in need. As a consequence of the drought, 70 per cent of families in the rural region of Emdibir are unable to put food on their tables. Together with the Church of Ethiopia and the local community, Catholic Mission is working toward providing families with life-changing opportunities by building a goat rearing centre. The resources produced through the centre will help fight malnutrition, a phenomenon that is responsible for 50 per cent of children’s death in the local area. More than just providing food and creating employment, it helps the local community build a brighter future. To learn more visit: catholicmission.org.au/families
Listen to the voice of creation
Christians across the world are being encouraged to come together and care for our common home during this year’s Season of Creation (SoC). The theme for this year’s ecumenical movement, which spans from 1 September until 4 October, is ‘Listen to the voice of creation’. The 2022 SoC symbol is a burning bush. The symbol originates from the story of Moses, (Exodus 3:1-11) where God acknowledged the cries of injustice and calls Moses to make a change. We, like Moses, are called to act and make a difference.
During the SoC, our common prayer and action can help us listen for the voices of those who are silenced. In prayer we lament the individuals, communities, species, and ecosystems who are lost, and those whose livelihoods are threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Locally, the Catholic Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle invites individuals to take part in its SoC film competition. The purpose of the competition is to; build awareness of our role as stewards of creation; build and foster a Christ-centered community; and, to celebrate God’s creation. To find out more visit www.mn.catholic.org.au/ news-events/season-of-creation/.
Going green-er
In line with its commitment to be a leader in sustainability and proactively assist the region to transition to a more sustainable future, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recently launched its new Sustainability Plan 2022-2025. Diocesan Chief Executive Officer, Sean Scanlon, said the plan is underpinned by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Diocesan Strategic Plan 2022-2026. “Daily, our Diocesan operations influence and impact more than 25,000 children and young adults who access our schools, early education or after school care, as well as more than 4,500 employees who work across our various agencies. We know our people care deeply about sustainability, and we consider it our responsibility to equip the next generation to understand global challenges our planet faces and the role they can play in rising to meet them,” he said.
Aurora
In rural Ethiopia 70 percent of families are unable to put food on their tables.
