Resources

Did You Know?

Periodically the SJC sends a few lines to Parishes summarising a topical social justice issue in the form of a ‘Did you know?' paragraph. These are printed in church notices at the discretion of the priest/pastoral leaders to raise awareness of social justice issues within the Catholic community.

Below are the most recent ‘Did you know?' paragraphs sent to parishes.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that the Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations (ACCER) published in May a booklet entitled Workplace Relations: A Catholic Perspective? It inlcudes useful meeting formats for discussion. Copies can be obtained for $5.50 (incl GST) from secretariat@accer.asn.au or P O Box 557, East melbourne VIC 8002 or download from Documents at http//www.accer.asn.au (14 August, 2007)

DID YOU KNOW?

In a pastoral letter issued for the Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker (1 May), Bishop Christopher Saunders, Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justic Council (ACSJC), has called on Government to regularly release data on the terms and conditions of Australian Workplace Agreements. In the letter, Bishop Saunders writes, "On the Feast of St Joseph the World, we are invited to consider the ways in which we can establish the proper place for work, and the necessary pay and conditions, so that family life is well supported now and for future generations. Perhaps it is time for Australia, with the help of our political leaders, to put work into its proper perspective." The Pastoral Letter, entitled Keeping Time - Australia families and the culture of overwork, is available from www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au (May 2007).

DID YOU KNOW? (November 2006)

Did you know that Pope John Paull II said in his document "On Family Life" that "divorced Catholics enjoy nothing less than full and complete union with their Church." There is no question of excommunication nor is there any limitation on divorced persons sharing in the sacramental life of the Church. Divorce is not a sin but many Catholics believe that as divorced Catholics they are somehow unacceptable to the Church. This is not true.

Source: "Inform" #39 (1997) Catholic Education Centre, Sydney

DID YOU KNOW? (May 2006)

Did you know that affordable housing is desperately inadequate in Townsville? And in Australia one-third of homeless people are children? One local community rental agency alone has 158 households (representing over 300 people) on its waiting list. The agency manages 172 units of accommodation but these are all occupied and will remain so for a long time because there is nowhere else for those occupants to live.

Source: Townsville Diocese Social Justice Committee

DID YOU KNOW? (January 2006)

Did you know that for many Indigenous Australians, 26th January (Australia Day) is an occasion to reflect on past loss and suffering. There are also those in the wider community who share these mixed emotions about our national day. Australia Day is an important annual opportunity to recognise the honoured place of indigenous Australians in our nation's history, to promote understanding, respect and reconciliation and to acknowledge that Australia Day evokes a variety of emotions.

Source: Social Justice Diary 2006 - Australian Catholic Social Justice Council

DID YOU KNOW? (Dec 2005)

Did you know there is a Movement that challenges us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas? It is called "Buy Nothing Christmas Movement". It challenges us to avoid becoming consumers who exist only to buy and produce. So this Christmas be a rebel: take back your identity as a person. Alternatives include making gifts, recycling old treasures, giving vouchers or gifts to charity and starting new traditions of sharing memories.

See: www.buynothingchristmas.org/index.html

DID YOU KNOW? (November 2005)

Did you know that 25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The UN has described violence against women as an obstacle to the achievement of equality, development and peace. Some of the women especially vulnerable are women from minority groups, indigenous women, refugee women, migrant women and women in situations of armed conflict. Trafficking in women is another form of violence and is not only confined to developing countries.

Source: Social Justice Diary 2005 - Australian Catholic Social Justice Council

DID YOU KNOW? (September, 2005)

Did you know that people within our sugar communities are experiencing added pressures and challenges as a result of industry changes? In recognition of this, Centacare has been funded to provide a community-based support and counselling service to both the Herbert and the Burdekin. The service is free, confidential and available to all individuals, families or groups who are experiencing difficulties as a result of the reform processes.

Source: Centacare Townsville.