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CENSORSHIP 23 Oct 2008

First They Came for the Perverts

By Philip Annetta

The Rudd Government's "clean feed" proposal will censor the internet use of every single person in the country. We're slipping in the freedom index, writes Philip Annetta

Read the full article

Reflection – Spring equinox

The Solstices and Equinoxes are landmarks in the cycles of life on Planet Earth and for that
reason human beings have always acknowledged these changes of seasons. Without these
cycles of renewal and bestowal, all life would cease to exist. When we express gratitude for
blessings bestowed, we are linked with the peoples of different lands, cultures and centuries
who have given thanks as the precious cycles of the earth replenish us..

The spring equinox marks equal hours of light and darkness; it is a time of vibrant growth in
the natural world, an inspiration for accelerated growth in our lives. It is an opportunity for
celebration of the spirit running through us all. The compassionate recognition of those less
fortunate and prayers for release from hardship are appropriate in this Spring Equinox season
Prayers for World Peace are traditionally made around the globe at this time. People of all
religions and ideologies gather together to reflect on and give thanks for the turning of the
seasons and to live in hope of greater harmony among the peoples of the Earth. We ask all
people to join with others in prayer on 21 September.

To make the connection between prayers of peace, and the living present on the Earth, it is
recommended that we focus our intention on particular areas which are currently in need. The
peoples and the land in Tibet, Iraq and Zimbabwe come to mind.

Interfaith Prayer for Peace

Lord, we each and everyone
See You shining as a sun.
Radiant bright You are our light
Keep us sheltered in Thy sight.

In every culture, language, clime
We feel Your presence in our time.
We look to You and in our way
Call out our need and daily pray.

With peace our present beck and call
Lord, keep us centered, one and all.
And as we try with all our might
Keep us striving toward the light.

May Your peace
spread through all lands
We’re standing together
hand in hand.

More protection needed for unborn

03-Sep-2008

Catholic leaders say Victoria's proposed new abortion laws outlined in the Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008 currently before the Victorian Parliament are seriously flawed and offer virtually no measures to safeguard the lives of unborn children.

You might also like to read this statement from the Society of Jesus in the United States on abortion.

2008 Social Justice Sunday Statement

A Summary

This year’s statement reflects on the Gospel story of the rich young man who asked Jesus how he could inherit eternal life. The man was shocked when Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow him. He went away, unable to let go of his possessions and see and act in a different way (Mark 10: 17 -22).

The rich man had kept the Law, but he could not step out of his comfort zone and see the plight of the poor and care for them.

Like the rich man, we in Australia are challenged by the Word of God to use its wealth for the good of all, especially for those who have missed out on economic prosperity.

This year’s Social Justice Sunday Statement from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is titled A Rich Young Nation: The Challenge of Affluence and Poverty in Australia.

Orders can be made now by going to the
Australian Catholic Social Justice Council’s site

The Catholic Community of South Brisbane have been under assault by a campaign of mis-information and 'Church-Spying". Mr Richard Stokes, a contributor to a religious tabloid, Into The Deep has published a series of reports on St Mary's.(See most recent editions July and August 2008) Mr Stokes also contributes to AD2000.

On August 22 Peter Kennedy, Administrator of St Mary's and community members received a Letter to St Mary’s Community from Archbishop John Bathersby. The letter raised areas of concern across issues of Faith,Liturgy,Authority and Governance. The Archbishop considers the community to no longer share communion with the Archdiocese and the Roman Catholic Church.

On the evening of Monday August 25th the community held a public meeting to discuss the strategies needed to respond to the letter.

The support for St Mary's comes not only from those who gather for worship at the historic South Brisbane Church, but also from many community groups who have used the Church and Parish House for gatherings and meetings. Among the faces at last night's meeting were politicians, academics and local neighbors form the South Brisbane West End locality.

The supporters who really touched me at the meeting were three women who made quite an effort to come out at night and step into a Church building. These three women are survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Catholic Institutions.They came along to show their support for the parish community. Such faith in our community is not unlike the Gospel story of the widow's mite".

The meeting was an historic moment for the parish and continues a long history of confrontation and dialogue with the local Church. In 1879, the same parish confronted Bishop Quinn over his treatment of Blessed Mary McKillop the Sisters of St Joseph.

True to its mission to model a Church of Vatican II, the meeting was chaired by a woman, Karyn Walsh. Karyn responded to the parish call for a social justice program more than 12 years go and set up Micah Projects Inc which now provides services to people experiencing homelessness, those living with mental health issues and disability, young mothers and many others who experience social isolation.

St Mary's welcome of diversity and its inclusion of people who seek sanctuary from life's hardships means that the complexities of theology and the structure of catholicism are not always understood. The process of dialogue to which the parish is committed is also a process of adult faith education to an audience which reflects the joys and hopes, grief and anxieties of the people of tis time, especially those who are poor and afflicted. This is the vision of a Vatican II Church that St Mary's seeks to form in communion with the rchdiocese and the global community of Catholicism.

Catholicism is not about belonging to a club or joining a franchise. It is a communal response to the words and deeds of Yeshua of Nazareth who lived and preached religious and social reform more than 2000 years ago in a little outpost of the Roman Empire.

The fact that another little outpost is casing people to ask core questions about religion and spirituality is surely a rare gift to the Church and the human family.

St Mary's stands in a long tradition of a vigorous catholicism which has engaged with the joys and hope grief and anxieties of all people , especially those who are poor and afflicted.

After all the hoopla of World Youth Day it is now time to get down to the real questions of what we as Catholics are offering young people seeking faith and spirituality in our community.

Well done to all who participated in last night's discussion and meeting at St Mary's. Numbers who attend and worship are not significant. What is significant is that this church has engaged the community in word and action for a better world and a new understanding of religion in the human experience.

Nine bosses order apology

Article from:

By Jessica Lawrence

June 14, 2008 12:00am

THE family of a disabled security guard who appeared on The Footy Show have slammed Channel 9 after Paul "Fatty" Vautin said he was drunk.

Bouncer Greg Stacey was on the door at the Caxton Hotel on State of Origin night when he was door-stopped by Allan "Robbo'' Robinson. The 21-year-old from Manly West in Brisbane, who has benign epilepsy, suffers from slurred speech and learning difficulties. (read more)

My response to the article: Sorry Gary Burns,"unwitting mistakes" seem to be the norm at Channel Nine.I hope the sponsors of the Footy Show get a barrage of notices about intention to withdraw patronage after this incident. Greg Stacey is not handicapped. he is a young man who lives with epilepsy. Paul Vautin and his team are handicapped by prejudice, arrogance and the delusion of fame. They should be made to attend a community health program about mental health issues before they are permitted on air again.

Legendary journalist Bill Moyers address the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, June 7, 2008. Presented by FreePress.net. For more speakers, press coverage, and info, visit: http://www.freepress.net/conference

Category: News & Politics

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