Social Justice Ministry
Catholic Social Teaching includes a
body of papal documents developed in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, however, it is much
more than that. The tradition of social justice begins in the Old Testament
with, for example, the story of liberation from slavery in Exodus, the jubilee
laws in Leviticus to prevent the exploitation of workers and the abuse of
creation. The prophets such as Isaiah who spoke against the oppression of the
weak; Amos who denounced the hypocrisy of the powerful and Micah who denounced
the corruption of the religious and political leaders.
Jesus’ Mission
Jesus proclaimed the fulfilment of the kingdom of God in himself, that
is, God reigning or governing in every part of our lives and our world. In the
gospel of Luke Jesus proclaimed his mission by drawing upon the prophetic
tradition of justice in the prophet Isaiah: Luke 4:18-19
Social
Justice Ministry Team
The Social Justice Ministry Team meets
on a Tuesday afternoon each month from February to November. Members gather at
12.15pm for lunch and meet from 12.45 to 2.30pm. The agendas include a broad range
of current social justice issues, such as supporting refugees and people seeking asylum; issues affecting Australia's first people; our environment and changing climate drawing partcularly from Pope Francis' document Laudato Si. We welcome new members or interested
observers.
Contact Trish Wilson on 0431 696 504
Climate Change Rally Sunday 22 February
Being part of the rally on climate was an amazing
experience. Trish Wilson, Mary Gallagher, Meredith Collum and Gail Gill joined with other Broken Bay parishioners to be part of the climate rally on Saturday
22 February. In a time when we experience so many divisions, being part of this
rally was an experience of solidarity with people of various beliefs and reasons
for wanting to be part of this rally.
Thanks to Phil Jones from Frenchs Forest parish, we were a
visible Catholic presence in our Laudato Si T shirts and with our Laudato Si
placards. We stood in the midst of the Greens, Teachers Federation supporters
and members of the Maritime Workers Union and experienced welcome in our united
concern.
Pope Francis urges all of us to go out into the world and
beyond our comfort zones. People approached us and asked if Pope Francis really
said what was on our placards, and where could they read more. Other people
told us that although they were no longer part of church they were grateful for
our presence.
Parish
Outreach
The parish has three key social
justice outreach projects; one local, one national and one international. These
were selected as part of a parish discernment some years ago.
1. Local Outreach – Street Work
2. National Outreach – Sister
Parishes of Bourke and Brewarrina
3. International Outreach – Maubara
Orphanage in Timor Leste
Street
Work - see streetwork.org.au
Street Work is a Sydney based
charity helping young people between 11 and 18 who are ‘at risk’. Street Work
aims to help troubled young people who are affected by crime, violence,
destructive family relationships, rejection and isolation, risk of
homelessness, learning difficulties, truancy, poor employment opportunities,
drug and alcohol dependency. Street work offers programs to support these young
people as they strive to turn their lives around.
We support Street Work by promoting
its programs and by raising awareness of young people who need support. We
support Street Work financially with considerable funds raised through our
Bunnings BBQs.
Bourke
and Brewarrina
We aim to provide pastoral and
financial support to these outback parishes. There have been a number of
initiatives of outreach, practical and financial support that have fostered
mutual respect and friendship.
Maubara Orphanage Timor Leste
The Carmelite Sisters care for
around 27 girls ranging in ages from 6 to 16 at Maubara. They are well cared
for and attend the local school. As a result of a generous bequest from one of
our parishioners, accommodation has been built in Fatuada in Dili. This enables
the senior girls to complete their last years of secondary schooling in Dili.
Parish funds have provided new furniture and furnishings for the new dormitory.
We believe that education is the key to a sustainable future for the young
people of Timor Leste.