International Youth Day celebrates the importance of the contribution that our youth make to society, and to ensure that they are being heard. This year, we celebrate International Youth Day on the 12th of August.
Blog
Transfiguration of the Lord
The Transfiguration of Jesus is illustrated in the Bible, where he transfigures in radiant glory on the top of the mountain in front of Peter, James and John. This event, being one of the 5 major milestones of the life of Jesus, teaches us about the transformation we go through as one of his followers.
St Mary Magdalene Feast Day
Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus. She was one of the witnesses to his Crucifixion and burial and was the first person to see him after his Resurrection. This led her to be called ‘The Apostle of Apostles’. She has been a symbol of penitents for nearly 2000 years. We celebrate her Feast Day on the 22nd of July.
Father Mike Schmitz – RIM
In an Ascension Presents YouTube video, Father Mike Schmitz spoke about a common feeling of Christians and feeling spiritually burnt out and wanting to quit. He goes on to introduce an idea, RIM. This acronym stands for Relationship, Identity, Mission – 3 key reminders in a sequential order, to feel spiritually fueled. So what do they mean?
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee and this year, begins on Sunday 3rd, and continues until Sunday 10th of July. This week sees celebrations of history, culture, tradition, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and is celebrated by people from all walks of life right across Australia.
Immaculate Heart of Mary
This year on the 25th of June, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Immaculate Heart of Mary signifies the purity and love our Blessed Virgin Mary has for God. It also expresses her maternal love for Jesus Christ, her Son, and her love and compassion for all mankind.
BBI National RE Symposium Highlights
On the 16th and 17th of June, Janita, Kim and Chloe from the Understanding Faith team attended the National RE Symposium at the International Conference Centre in Darling Harbour. This conference is organised by BBI-TAITE, The Australian Institute of Theological Education, with this year’s theme of ‘Scripture and RE: Teaching and Transformation’.
Corpus Christi
The Latin words Corpus Christi translates to “Body of Christ”. On the 16th of June we celebrate the Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi. On this day we acknowledge and celebrate the true presence of Christ within the Eucharist. This is one of the few liturgical celebrations that doesn’t reflect on a specific even from Jesus or Mary’s life, but rather his presence during Mass, through the bread and wine.
National Blood Donor Week
On the 14th of June, we acknowledge and thank voluntary blood donors, and encourage new donors. Lifeblood, a division of the Australian Red Cross Society, is funded by Australian governments, who provide life-giving blood, plasma, transplantation and biological products for world-leading health outcomes.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Over 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness right now. On one of the longest and coldest nights of the year, June 23rd, business owners and community and government leaders are encouraged to ‘sleep rough’ for a night to raise awareness and vital funds for homelessness in Australia.