OLGC Social Justice Group

May, 2007

Activities

The OLGC Social Justice Group (SJG) has continued its work within the four selected project areas of Reconciliation and Support to Communities; Sponsorship of Alola Foundation and Romac; Catholic Prison Ministry and Climate Change and Conservation. The Group has attracted a further two members from the parish.

Reconciliation and Support to Communities
In keeping with the 2006 statement of the Australian Catholic Bishops "The Heart of Our Country" and with the wholehearted support of the Parish Leadership Team, the planned memorial was unveiled on Pentecost Sunday. This rock and plaque monument will help provide a constant reminder of the need for reconciliation.

The coincidence of Pentecost Sunday and the opening of Reconciliation Week; a fine, sunny and warm day together with the generous support of many guests provided the Spirit of reconciliation and peace a happy and receptive occasion to be with us. Doreen Garvey, a Warundjeri Elder, Mark Clarke from the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace and other guests joined Fr Brendan Reed PP and parishioners. Doreen conducted a welcome to country and smoking ceremony and then joined Brendan to unveil the plaque.

The gathering thoroughly enjoyed the occasion as well as the billy tea and damper which followed.
SJG will now direct its efforts to the establishment of a living, growing and responsive relationship with a chosen community to foster reciprocal exchanges with the indigenous peoples of our country.

Catholic Prison Ministry
Victoria's prisons house about 4000. Very few are 'constant or repeat'' offenders. Most are the products of social failings, people with mental illness, drug problems and other very complex disorders.

SJG believes the work of the Catholic Prison Ministry is of vital importance and should be enthusiastically supported. OLGC has set up a team of three who now participate in a four weekly roster of visits to Port Phillip Prison to join the CPM chaplains, a rostered volunteer priest and inmates of the prison at mass and hospitality.

Mass is offered twice; once for lower security prisoners and, immediately following, for residents of St Paul's unit for prisoners with a mental illness. Initial worries are now behind the team which now finds the visits enjoyable, warm and most rewarding. The SJG will now promote broad parish financial support for CPM.

Photographs - A Memorial to Reconciliation

.

Doreen Garvey and Fr Brendan Reed ________The Memorial Plaque__________