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Greensborough North, St. Thomas the Apostle, Social Justice Group
2004 - 2005
Lillian Hobson and Jeanette Richardson from St Thomas the Apostle Social Justice group
Following is the 2004/ 2005 Report on the activities of the Parish
Social Justice Group
Project Compassion
Each year the social justice group prepares the materials
sent by Caritas for display and distribution. In 2004 the parish raised
approx $3,300. In 2005 Project Compasssion was promoted in the Mass sheet
for each of the six weeks of lent and a slideshow reflection featuring
the weekly stories was put together by Sue McMahon. The display was maintained
during Lent. The first counting of monies received for 2005 has resulted
in approx $2700 being collected.
Aboriginal Reconciliation Week 
In 2004 a flag raising ceremony involving the parish and school took place
at the school assembly on May 31st .The Aboriginal flag flew during Reconciliation
Week. Our group co-ordinated the event with the school. One of our members
Acknowledged the Wurundjeri people and followed with prayers written by
aboriginal elder Betty Pike.
‘Rekindling Reconciliation’ May 29th 2004 Melbourne Archdiocese
Three of our members attended this gathering which was supported by the
CCJDP and the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.
It was an opportunity to discuss with Social Justice Groups from parishes
all over Melbourne.
Hearts are Burning Forum March 2005
The Forum reflected on the last 20 years since Pope John Paul 11 gave
his speech to Indigenous 
people
at Alice Springs in 1986. It was held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East
Melbourne. The forum was addressed by Bishop Chris Prowse. Three members
of the social justice group attended the evening.
"Within the church, there’s that question of have we really
taken up God’s challenge of bringing indigenous culture within our
churches?”
Installation of a plaque acknowledging the Wurundjeri people
The parish was informed in April 2005 mass sheets of the intention to
acknowledge the Wurundjeri people with a plaque and ceremony and at the
same time host the ‘Message Stick’ which is travelling to
parishes around Melbourne after being sent out from St Patricks Cathedral
on June 5th 2005, by Archbishop Denis Hart. The ‘Message Stick’
is accompanied by Kit resources for the parish to use to ‘Rekindle
Reconciliation’ in our community. The kit resources main focus is
on Pope John Paul II speech in Alice Springs in 1986.
Refugee and Migrant Sunday August 2004
During July and August a ‘collection of goods’ was organised
by our group to lead up to Refugee and Migrant Sunday.The goods were donated
to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Thornbury.
During the month a speaker from the Deanery Refugee Support Group was
invited to speak at each mass about the needs of refugee families and
give parishoners the opportunity to join the group or make donations to
support housing for the families in the Deanery.One of our group is co-ordinating
the collection of money for this project.
Social Justice Sunday 25/26 Sept 2004
The theme was “Peace be with you”. Statements were purchased
to give out on the day. A display was arranged for the gathering space
of the groups activities and areas of interest. Available Liturgy was
included at each mass.
Rerum Novarum: Lecture Series
“Reconciliation and Human Rights. The challenge for all Australians”.
Larissa Behrendt was the speaker.This event was advertised in the mass
sheet and noticeboards.Three members attended the evening.
Parish Development Aid
The March 2004 donation was sent to Force Ten.
The June 2004 donation was sent to Caritas overseas project for emergency
relief in the Sudan.
The Sept 2004 donation was sent to Caritas for the Diabetes Mangagement
and Care Program operating in the Kimberley region.Information will be
sent to us in 2005 to give feedback to the parish
The Dec 2004 donation was organised by Father Kevin for a local need.
If you would like more information regarding the St. Thomas
the Apostle Social Justice group, please contact Lilian at alhobson@optusnet.com.au or mobile number 0402 823 679,