Support Tamil Refugees

Refugee Action

The Refugee Action Collective will hold a public speak-out in support of justice for the Sri Lankan refugees held at Merak in Indonesia for the last four months.  Some reports indicate that conditions for these refugees and asylum seekers are poor and there are concerns for their welfare with no end in sight to their detention.  Speakers will include Ian Rintoul who recently visited Merak and Fr Pan Jordan.  The speak-out will be held on Friday 12 February at 5 p.m. at Brisbane Square, George Street, Brisbane (top of Queen Street Mall). Sri Lanka During 2009, the Commission campaigned strongly on human rights violations against Tamil civilians during the conflict between the Sri Lankan Army and the Tamil Tigers and while thousands of Tamils were detained in camps after the conflict.  Evidence continues to suggest that Tamils are still experiencing violations of their human rights.  Efforts must continue to protect and promote the human rights of Tamils in 2010.  If you would like to get up to date information on the situation and find out ways in which you can act, go to http://www.srilankacampaign.org/

Clean Up Australia Day

Clean Up

Clean Up Australia Day is Sunday 7 March.  Businesses will mark the day on Tuesday 2 March and schools on Friday 5 March.  This is an excellent opportunity for parishes, schools, agencies and groups to become involved in environmentally responsible action.  You will find more information and many resources to help you get involved at the Clean Up Australia web site at http://www.cleanup.org.au/

Aborigines & the Justice System

ANTaR Qld and a number of other partner organisations will host a forum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and the Queensland justice system on Saturday 13 February, 2 – 5 p.m., Claver Theatre, All Hallows School, Ann St, Fortitude Valley.  The forum will be chaired by Stephen Keim SC and a number of speakers from a range of Aboriginal organisations will participate.  Please RSVP to mareeklemm@chinoir.com.au for catering purposes.  Following the forum a walk from Boundary Street, Fortitude Valley to Boundary Street, Southbank, will take place.

Apology Anniversary

Saturday 13 February will mark the second anniversary of the Federal Parliament’s apology to members of the Stolen Generations.  To mark this important moment in the process of reconciliation in Australia, the Archdiocesan Murri Ministry Team and the Justice & Peace Commission, with the support and assistance of Brisbane Catholic Education, will hold an event on Friday 12 February, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre, 100 Lilac Street, Inala.  Catholic Colleges have been invited to send student representatives and representatives of parishes are also welcome to attend.  This will be a time of prayer, education and information sharing, and dialogue.  Elders and members of the Stolen Generations have been invited to participate.  If you wish to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible to arndtp@bne.catholic.net.au or phone 3336 9174.  Morning tea and a sausage sizzle lunch will be provided.  To assist with covering the costs of catering and the elders’ expenses, individuals attending are asked to make a donation of $10 which may either be sent to Murri Ministry, 84 Park Road, Woolloongabba Q 4102 or paid on the day.

For Your Diary

Holy Land The people of the Holy land continue to live with insecurity and tension.  The people of this troubled land very much appreciate prayers of hope and messages of peace, justice and good will from people in other lands.  During Advent, you are encouraged to send such prayers and good wishes to the people of the Holy Land.  You can e-mail your prayers and messages to the Arab Educational Institute at the following address:  aei@p-ol.com. To read all the messages, please visit www.aeicenter.org More…

Palestine Vigil The group, Justice for Palestine, will hold a vigil and march to remember the Palestinians who were killed in the Israeli army attack which began on 27 December 2008.  The vigil will begin at 6.30 p.m. this Friday 18 December at Brisbane Square (near Treasury Casino), George Street, Brisbane. More…

Racism   The National Conference of the Australian Young Christian Students (AYCS) will begin with a Mass and forum on addressing racism in schools.  AYCS is keen to have as many school students as possible participating in the Mass an forum.  It will be held from 11 a.m. on Sunday 10 January at St James College, 201 Boundary Rd, Spring Hill.  There is no cost and participants should RSVP by 5 January to conference@aycs.org.au

December 2009 Update

What’s On

1 Jan World Day of Peace  26 Jan Australia Day/Invasion Day Apr 17, 2010 Go Green Fair – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Four Winds, 104 Robinson Rd South, Oceanview.  Sustainable living ideas, resources and info, gold coin entry, for more info, e-mail earthlink@mercy.org.au

Walk Against Warming 09

Walk Against Warming 09

Brisbane’s Walk Against Warming

What:      Walk Against Warming
When:     10 am Saturday 12th December
Where:   King George Square (Route map of walk here route_2009 210.88 Kb)
Who:       Everyone: free all ages event, peaceful gathering of people who care about a safe climate future

Draft Program

King George Square, Saturday 12th December

10:00     Welcome to country
10:10     Toby Hutcheon Queensland Conservation Council
10:30     Walk Against Warming (Route map of walk here route_2009 210.88 Kb)

Concert:

The following stars of Australian music have donated their performances to a safe climate future

MC:         Liz Cantor Channel 7
12:00     To be confirmed
12:45     Drew Dellinger
13:00     Passenger
14:00     Katie Noonan
15:00     Black Market Rhythm Co .
16:00     Marshall & the Fro
17:00     Dallas Frasca

i-witness: young people & justice

i-witness: young people & justice 11 Oct 2009

i-witness: young people & justice is an Archdiocesan Youth Festival which will celebrate this year’s Social Justice Sunday Statement, And You Will Be My Witnesses: Young People and Justice. The Catholic Justice & Peace Commission and the Archdiocesan Commission for Ministry with Young People have collaborated to develop a creative, festive, informative, hope-filled event, bringing together social justice groups, young people and those who work with young people from across the Archdiocese.

Please help us promote what promises to be an inspirational and uplifting event for all involved.

L’Arche Spirituality

L’Arche Brisbane will host a soup and bread night at which Eileen Glass will speak about the spirituality of L’Arche. It will be held at Justice Place, 5 Abingdon Street, Woolloongabba, on Thursday 13 August, 5.30 – 7.30 p.m. Please RSVP by 10 August to 3217 3011. L’Arche is an international movement of communities in which people with disability participate and live. To find out more about L’Arche, go to http://www.larche.org.au/

Social Justice Sunday 2009

Social Justice Sunday

Social Justice Sunday is 27 September. The Bishops’ Social Justice Sunday Statement is titled And You Will Be My Witnesses: Young People and Justice. It deals with a number of issues affecting young people including the disadvantage of young Indigenous people, unemployment, the difficulties faced by young people with mental health problems, issues for survivors of abuse, global poverty and the environment. It will be launched in mid-September. A summary and order forms are now available at http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/