CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December

The Pope's general prayer intention for December: That Christ … may inspire those responsible for nations to use power wisely and responsibly.  His missionary prayer intention: That in every part of the world, missionaries may live out their vocation with joy and enthusiasm, faithfully following in Christ's footsteps.

13 Spirituality in the Pub, Dr Richard Leonard SJ, Hobart.  Information, 0400 896 191

17 Third Sunday in Advent

24 Christmas Eve / Blue (grief and loss) Christmas service, shaped from progressive theology and liturgy, Unity Church of St James, Curtain, ACT; 9.30pm

Fourth Sunday in Advent

25 Christmas Day

ABC TV will broadcast live the Pope’s Midnight Mass; 11am

January 07

5-26 Fourth annual Cross Cultural Summer School, a joint venture of the Sisters of St Joseph and the Columban Fathers.  Applications close December 1 (information:  02 8912 4869 or email sandy.leaitua@sosj.org.au)

14 World Day of Migrants and Refugees (international)

16-19 Second World Forum on Theology and Liberation, Nairobi

16-25 Eight Day retreat; Emmanuel Pastoral and Spirituality Centre, Launceston, Tasmania. 

February 07

9-11 World Day of the Sick celebrations, Seoul, South Korea:  The spiritual and pastoral care of patients with incurable illnesses

11 15th World Day of the Sick

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

22-25 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Sydney

26-27 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Townsville

28-Mar 1 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Brisbane

March 07

2-6 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Perth

6-7 Brisbane Climate Change Conference: Responding to Climate Change: The Call to Ecological Conversion, organised by the Justice and Peace Commission and the Social Action Office; Fortitude Valley.  (cost: $50/$30. registration and details: Alana 07 3336 9351 or email emericka@bne.catholic.net.au)

7-10 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Adelaide

9-11 Oz Green’s Youth LEAD programme in eco-social action and leadership training; South Sydney / Illawarra

11-14 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Melbourne

13  International Women’s Day, First Lady of East Timor, Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Lourdes Hill College, Brisbane

15 US peace activist Fr John Dear SJ in Canberra

16-17  Brisbane Climate Change conference:  Responding to Climate Change: The Call to Ecological Conversion, St James College, Fortitude Valley, $50/$30, organised by the Justice & Peace Commission and the Social Action Office (registration, further information, Alana 07 3336 9351 or email emericka@bne.catholic.net.au)

April 07

8 Easter Sunday

The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought 4th annual Easter sunrise service, the Ridge, Curtain, ACT; (30 min service followed by a light breakfast) 6.15 for 6.30am

13-15 Caritas Australia’s Festival of Global Concern, St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Sydney. Year 11 and 12 students and teachers. International guest: Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  Early bird registrations close February 6.

14-16 Oz Green’s Youth LEAD programme in eco-social action and leadership training; Alice Springs

20-22 Oz Green’s Youth LEAD programme in eco-social action and leadership training; Darwin

July 07

9-12 Indigenous theology and spirituality conference, organised by NATSIEC; Noosa Lakes, Queensland (as part of the NATSIEC Theology Project). further information 02 9299 2215 or email natsiec@ncca.org.au

August 07

16-19 Common Dreams:  Progressive religion as a transforming agent, national gathering for the Centre for Progressive Religious Thought, featuring Bishop John Shelby Spong, theologian Joe Bessler-Northcutt, Prof. B. Brandon Scott; Sydney.

17-19 Celebrating Feminist Catholic Ministries:  A Women-Church Forum, Chicago, USA

26 Refugee and Migrant Sunday (Australian celebration of World Day of Migrants and Refugees)

June 08

15-22 49th International Eucharistic Congress, Ottawa, Canada:  The Eucharist:  Gift of God for the life of the world

July 08

15-20 World Youth Day celebrations, Sydney

October 08

5-26 Synod of Bishops: The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church