Clean Up Australia Day

STEP UP TO CLEAN UP

On the 6th of March 2022, we celebrate Clean Up Australia Day. The message behind this day is to encourage our communities to clean up and conserve our environment. Over 19 million Australians have been involved with Clean Up Australia Day over the past 32 years. This day is now recognised as the nation’s largest community-based environmental event, which started from just one Australian bloke, Ian Kiernan, wanting to make a difference in his own backyard.

As well as physically cleaning up our environment, the purpose of this day is also to provide practical solutions to live sustainably as the years go on. The focus is now not only to remove any waste, but to also prevent this waste from accumulating in the first place. Ways we can do this include saying no to plastic bags at supermarkets and not using single use items, such as life takeaway coffee cups.

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Ash Wednesday

ASHES

Ash Wednesday is one of the most important events in the Liturgical Calendar. It marks the beginning of Lent and the preparation for Easter, the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. This year, we celebrate Ash Wednesday on the 2nd of March.

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Presentation of the Lord

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

On the 2nd of February, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This occurs 40 days after the Birth of Jesus. Before the revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar, this date indicated the end of the Christmas period. Some Catholics, uphold the tradition of keeping Christmas decorations, including the Nativity scene, on display until this day. This day is also called ‘Candlemas’, and was formerly known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Roman Catholic Church.

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The Feast of Christ the King

The Feast of Christ the King, celebrated on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, this year being Sunday 21st November, serves to remind us of his love. We are urged not to lose our perspective. Through the power of love, we can effect change in our world and continue to create a life filled with forgiveness and mercy in a world where justice and peace reign supreme.

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The Feast of St Luke

St Luke

St Luke, in Christian tradition, is the author of the Gospel according to Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

Luke is believed to have been a Greek Gentile (non-Jew) from Antioch (modern Turkey). In Colossians, (4:14) Paul describes Luke as the ‘beloved physician.’

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The Feast of St Mary Magdalene

St Mary Magdalene

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.

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NAIDOC: Heal Country, Heal Our Nation

NAIDOC Week

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.

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More Than a Word

National Sorry Day

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.

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