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 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.
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’.
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.
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.
This year, on the 5th of June, we celebrate World Environment Day, with the theme of ‘Only One Earth’. This focuses on living sustainably in harmony with nature. Over 150 countries participate in World Environmental Day annually.
Each year we memorialise National Sorry Day on the 26th of May, to acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the Stolen Generations, who were forcibly removed from their families.
Laudato Si’ Week, this year to be held May 22-29, marks the 7th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on creation care. This event unites Catholics to listen and respond to the cry of creation and celebrate the process that has so far been made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life.
On Sunday the 15th of May, Pope Francis recognised 10 new Saints into the Catholic Church. This was the first canonization since 2019 where John Henry Newman among others were canonized.
From the 16th to the 22nd of May, we acknowledge and celebrate National Volunteer’s Week. With this year’s theme of Better Together, this is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. It’s a chance for everyone to recognise and thank the vital work of our volunteers.