Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation
The Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation is a community-led initiative focused on empowering Aboriginal women and families through cultural connection, healing, and support. Founded and led by proud Aboriginal women, the group provides a safe space for women of all backgrounds to come together, share stories, and build resilience through culture and community. Their goal is to preserve and celebrate Aboriginal identity and ensure that their culture remains strong for future generations.
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Change the Date - January 26
Australia Day, celebrated on January 26, commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the beginning of British colonization. However, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this date marks the start of invasion, loss of land, and cultural destruction. Rather than a unifying celebration, many view it as a day of mourning — often called Invasion Day or Survival Day. Critically, January 26 only became the nationally recognized date for Australia Day in 1992, making the tradition relatively recent. Tanya Hosch, social inclusion advocate and AFL executive, has said: 'When you know better, you do better... January 26 does not unite us.'
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Blog - Do we pray for the Holy Spirit?
In this reflection on the Holy Spirit's role within the Church and individual lives, we explore how the Spirit acts as a transformative power, from the early Church narratives like the Annunciation and Pentecost to its vital presence in the sacraments today. We see the Holy Spirit as a source of inner transformation, guidance, and communal unity, echoing the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, which emphasizes the Spirit's role in liturgical renewal, prayer, and the encouragement of ecumenical unity. Through personal and communal encounters with the Holy Spirit, we are called to deepen our understanding and integration of this divine presence in our lives, urging us to live out our faith actively and to embrace the Spirit's call to be like Mary—serving as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in the world. This reflection concludes with a prayer inviting a deeper infilling of the Holy Spirit to guide, renew, and empower us in our spiritual journey.
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Kiribati - a drowning paradise - in the South Pacific
On the low-lying atolls of Kiribati, families like Tear Tata’s are struggling to survive as rising sea levels caused by climate change erode their land, flood homes, and contaminate water supplies. Makeshift coral sea walls offer only temporary protection, while overpopulation and limited infrastructure worsen the crisis. Despite government efforts—such as climate education, mangrove planting, vocational training for seafaring, and new economic ventures like palm sugar production—many residents fear displacement and the eventual loss of their homeland. Yet, a deep sense of cultural identity and resilience persists, as locals strive to adapt, protect their traditions, and hold onto hope in the face of an uncertain future.
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Event - Hope - Father Richard Lennan - June 1
Fr Richard Lennan is a priest of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, ordained in 1983. Aftergraduate studies at the University of Oxford and the University of Innsbruck (Austria) where hewrote his dissertation on Karl Rahner’s ecclesiology, he taught from 1992-2007 at the CatholicInstitute of Sydney. During this time, he was a member of the Australian Anglican-Catholicdialogue and served as President of the Australian Catholic Theological Association (2005-07). FrRichard moved to the United States in 2007 to teach at Weston Jesuit School of Theology inCambridge MA and is currently Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology andMinistry at Boston College where he also chairs the Ecclesiastical Faculty. Fr Richard’s researchand teaching focus on ecclesiology, ministry and the theology of Karl Rahner. He has authored oredited nine books and is an editorial consultant for Theological Studies. Most recently, he was amember of the theological panel for the Plenary Council of Australia.
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Marist Association - National Assembly - Forum Two
Michael Green delivered a comprehensive and prophetic historical reflection titled 'Whence We Have Come, and Whither Can We Go?' He charted the journey of Marist life in Australia over the last 30 years, from early collaborative efforts between Marist Brothers and lay people to the formation of a robust lay-led movement. He emphasized key milestones such as the Sharing Our Call formation program, the establishment of Marist Schools Australia, and the founding of the Marist Association in 2015. Michael highlighted the Association’s growing identity as a community of Christian disciples living out Marist spirituality, and noted its increasingly autonomous yet deeply connected relationship with the Marist Brothers. He urged ongoing leadership development, formation, and structural renewal to ensure the vitality and mission of the Association into the future.
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Gospel - Pentecost
In today’s Gospel – John 7:37-39 – we find Jesus in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles. On this feast in autumn, the people to this day build temporary shelters to remind themselves of the time in the wilderness. One commentator writes concerning Jesus’ celebration of this feast: “For the first seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests would carry water from the Pool of Siloam in procession to the temple and pour it out as a libation—a sacrificial offering—and a symbolic prayer for rain. On the eighth day, the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus uses this liturgical use of water to talk about the spiritual life that he gives” (Francis Martin and William M Wright IV, The Gospel of John.
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Jamberoo Abbey - ABC Series - Monastic Life
The Abbey is a powerful Australian documentary series that follows the transformative spiritual journey of five women from various walks of life who spend 33 days living inside a Benedictine monastery. Filmed at Jamberoo Abbey, a secluded Benedictine community in New South Wales, the series offers a rare glimpse into the rhythm, silence, and spiritual discipline of monastic life.
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Taize - Veni Sancte Spiritus - virtual choir
'Veni Sancte Spiritus,' also known as the 'Golden Sequence,' is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost. It's a beautiful, ancient hymn calling on the Holy Spirit. The text is attributed to either Pope Innocent III or Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the early 13th century. Here are the traditional Latin lyrics along with an English translation.
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Homily - Pentecost - Father Jim
Father Jim's homily focuses on the concept of self-indulgence, especially in relation to the celebration of Pentecost and the influence of the Holy Spirit. He begins by painting a vivid picture of opulence to highlight what we often imagine as self-indulgence. He then shifts to question whether our modern comforts, like electricity, air conditioning, and abundance of food, also classify as self-indulgence, particularly when compared to past generations and people in less affluent parts of the world.
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Top Rated Web pages for June 2025 Number | Page | Likes | 1 | Jonathan Roumie - Stories From the Set of The Chosen - Christian Martyrs - the Power of Lent Jonathan Roumie’s journey to portraying Jesus in The Chosen began with small-scale performances for a friend’s church. Initially cast in a short film titled The Two Thieves, Roumie originally auditioned for the role of the penitent thief but was unexpectedly asked to read for Jesus. Though Jesus had few lines, Roumie embraced the role, which led to recurring collaborations with Dallas Jenkins—the creator of The Chosen. These early projects, rooted in Ignatian spirituality and filmed for Good Friday services, laid the foundation for the larger vision of a series exploring the life and ministry of Christ. What began as a short film eventually transformed into a multi-season global phenomenon, with The Chosen becoming the most successful crowdfunded television series in history, streaming to millions worldwide. | 2 | 2 | Pope Francis Interview In a landmark interview, Pope Francis, 11 years into his papacy, shared his insights and reflections with an American broadcast network, marking a series of firsts for a pope of many firsts. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he is the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere and chose his papal name after St. Francis of Assisi to symbolize humility and simplicity. His tenure has been noted for addressing critical issues such as the child sex abuse scandal within the Church and making poignant comments on contemporary social issues, signaling a shift towards a more inclusive Church. | 2 | 3 | Session 3 - Marist Laity Australia Retreat - November 22 to 24 The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 reveals Jesus as the source of unending spiritual life, offering the living water of the Spirit to all who seek it. By breaking societal and religious taboos, Jesus demonstrates radical inclusion, extending God’s covenant beyond the chosen few to embrace everyone, even those marginalized or rejected. The Samaritan woman symbolizes humanity’s search for meaning and hope, challenging us to confront our own prejudices and barriers to love. Her leaving behind the water jar represents letting go of worldly attachments to embrace the transformative gift of Jesus’ love. This living water, which requires authentic worship in spirit and truth, quenches our deepest thirsts, renewing us and calling us to share God’s hope and life with others. | 2 | 4 | Emotional Coaching for Teens and Adults The presentation 'Emotional Coaching for Teens and Young Adults' offers a structured approach for parents to guide their children through emotional challenges, emphasizing connection, empathy, and resilience. Using relatable stories, it outlines five key steps: noticing emotions, clarifying with questions, acknowledging and validating feelings, reflecting and labeling emotions, and providing follow-up support. Grounded in research by experts like Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Jessica Borelli, the guide stresses the importance of fostering autonomy and emotional intelligence over offering immediate solutions. The presentation concludes with a prayer, seeking divine guidance for parents in this journey. | 2 | 5 | Movie - Cabrini The movie 'Cabrini' portrays the story of a determined woman striving to make a difference in a society rife with prejudice and inequality. Set in America, described as 'the greatest nation on Earth,' the narrative quickly introduces a grim reality where Italian children face worse conditions than rats. The story highlights the challenges posed by societal disdain towards immigrants, particularly those with 'brown skin,' and the xenophobic sentiment that advocates for their deportation. | 2 |
Recent Comments Added
Song - How Deep The Fathers Love For Us  Mary - What insights and perspectives might Mary have shared with the early believers about Jesus teachings, his ministry, and his ultimate sacrifice? (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-3-8)
Story - Saint John Vianney - Third Order Marist  Church Documents - How can the sacrament of Reconciliation help us experience the merciful love of Jesus Christ and foster a deeper relationship with God? (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-3-8)
Canberra - Youth Ministry Equiping School  Mary - I wonder how Marys relationship with the early Church evolved over time and what insights her continued presence and support brought to the ongoing mission of the Church. (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-3)
Movie - Cabrini  Quote - Life is not a series of difficult decisions, it is a series of moments. And every moment, the choice is simple love or fear. - Shauna Niequist (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-3)
How to parent a teen from a teens perspective  Family - I wonder how parents can encourage their children to have a positive mindset. (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-1)
Mindful Colouring - Woman at the well Social Justice - I wonder how engaging in regular moments of silence or meditation can help us cultivate a sense of inner stillness and clarity, enabling us to respond more effectively to the challenges and injustices we encounter in the world. (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-2-29)
Blog - Transforming Pain  Quote - The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behavior lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behavior. - Scott Peck (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-2-19)
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