Dear All,

We are at the start of Catholic Education Week in our schools, with many activities being held and banners being displayed 'Where every child matters'. We celebrate the many rich blessings of staff and students, families and parishes, who live and educate in the values of the Catholic tradition.

We are also in the week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We certainly have much to share and learn between churches in youth and young adult ministry. In rural areas, often the best way to engage in faith development and service or justice action is to work with various Christians, and so grow together. We pray for God's Spirit, who brings unity in diversity, to bless all of us this week and call us to new deeds.

We are now into the round of youth-led Masses and youth/young adult groups this term. On Thursday an animated group discussed 'The Joy of Love', on Friday we learned about the Bible at youth group, and on Sunday we had a beautiful music practice with three creative guitarists.

An initiative of the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum is a national day of prayer and action in our schools, 4-10th September. Please see below for details, along with a simple action you can take for Climate Justice and a joke and a prayer.

In Peace,

Elizabeth 
National Child Protection Week 4th -10th September

Standing in Solidarity – A National Day of Prayer & Action

When: National Child Protection Week – 4-10th September

http://capsa.org.au/standing-in-solidarity-a-national-day-of-prayer-action/

Standing in Solidarity – National Day of Prayer & Action in Catholic schools is an opportunity for a united Catholic voice across the country calling for a more just and humane welcome of people seeking asylum in the Australian community, and particularly for the rights of the child to be upheld.

Drawing on the important work of a number of schools who regularly participate in solidarity actions for people seeking asylum, CAPSA hopes to focus the efforts and energy of schools right across the country to realise the power of the Catholic school community. It connects us to the call of Pope Francis for 2016 to be the Year of Mercy.

Schools have the opportunity to hold a small action with staff, students, parents and wider school communities to show solidarity to the children and families facing the harsh conditions of immigration detention. In having hundreds of schools and thousands of people involved in such a National Day of Prayer & Action, CAPSA will be able to coordinate a significant media response with the hope of bringing this issue to the fore.

Actions for schools may include:

  • Detention 4 Detention
  • Jump Up & Down 4 Kids video
  • School photo with ‘Refugees are Welcome’ banner
  • The Cage sleep out
  • Refugee Realities workshops with students
  • Holding a forum or speaking event
If you have questions or want to share ideas with us, please email us at info@capsa.org.au 
 
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Position Vacant
Position Vacant - Re-advertised
Coordinator Office for Youth and Young Adults 
Applications are being sought for the Archdiocesan position of Coordinator - Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults (COYYA) to commence in June 2016. The fulltime position, based in the Catholic Education Office, is for a fixed term of 3 years. The Coordinator will lead the COYYA team and develop vision and strategies in partnership with diocesan authorities to ensure that COYYA services are characterised by excellence and responsive to the needs of young people in the Archdiocese. Applications close on Monday 23rd May 2016 at 12pm and further information is available here at the ‘Positions Vacant’ section of the Catholic Education SA website (www.cesa.catholic.edu.au).  
 
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A young priest in his new parish, had to attend a cremation. He knew it was a long way away and had never been before. So he programmed the location in to his Smart phone Sat Nav. Put the phone in his pocket and set off for the crematorium giving himself plenty of time. But the traffic was horrendous and he got to the crematorium in time to see the coffin already on the dais. He stood by the coffin. At that moment a voice came from his pocket " You have reached your destination
 
A Blessing from Phil Coulter
...May the blessing of God’s earth be on you and as you walk the roads, may you always have a kind word for those you meet.

May you understand the strength and power of God in a thunderstorm in winter, the quiet beauty of creation and the calm of a summer sunset.

And may you come to realize that insignificant as you may seem in this great universe, you are an important part of God’s plan...

Phil Coulter