July 22 is the Feast of St Mary Magdalene, also called Mary of Magdala. Once only celebrated as a memorial in remembrance of St Mary Magdalene, Pope Francis announced the status of the Mass was to be elevated to a Feast in June of 2016. Other than Sundays and Solemnities, it is the next highest rank of importance, raising her to be equal to that of the Apostles who are also celebrated as Feasts.
Observed annually in July, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Each year, a different focus, something to strive towards not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but for all Australians. The team at NAIDOC writes about the celebrations each year, to guide and encourage the Australian community to get behind the First Nations’ culture.
Observed annually on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’. Communities across Australia gathered to reflect and grow.
ANZAC Day is on April 25 and is a national day of remembrance and commemoration. This day remembers all Australians who have served and died in war. The date marks the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps 1915 landing at Gallipolli, Turkey, in World War I.
Earth Hour is organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Hundreds of millions of people around the world take part in Earth Hour by switching off for 60 minutes as a symbolic gesture of solidarity.
Polycarp was a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist.
As a disciple of John the Evangelist, Polycarp was able to hear firsthand stories about the life of Jesus from the apostles. After the apostles had gone, many heresies sprang up about Jesus’ true teachings and controversy arose about how to worship Christ. Christians were also being persecuted.
Understanding Faith is an educational ministry of St Agnes’ Parish, Port Macquarie, under the leadership of Parish Priest, Father Paul Gooley.
We are very proud of our unique multimedia resource, which links student content, Church teachings and Scripture, to interactive activities, video excerpts, radio broadcasts, music, newspaper articles, slideshows, and the internet – as well as pedagogically sound and contemporary teaching and learning activities.
On February 13, 2008, then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd formally acknowledged the suffering and anguish experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when past government policy allowed the forced removal of their children.
The transition to online learning for schools has been an uncertain one for teachers, students and families alike. Although, successfully educating students in an online environment is nothing new for Understanding Faith.
St John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, is the only saint other than the Virgin Mary, whose birthday is celebrated by the Church in a liturgical feast.