Lent 2019 ~ Time for Some Reflection

February 14, 2019

This year's Lenten program will be exploring the theme -

Is Christianity Wild? - exploring the relationship of Christianity to the natural world.

Our program will offer participants both spiritual refreshment and inspiration to action. To guide us on this journey, we will have five compelling presenters.

Tuesday 12 March ~ Lisa Buxton is a Bundjalung-Yugambeh woman who is currently the Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney. Lisa has spent the last two decades working for Catholic education in the Lismore, Broken Bay and Sydney Dioceses. She is a committed educator, and an active Aboriginal and Catholic community member.

Tuesday 19 March ~ Charles Rue was a farmer in Canowindra for four years before joining the St Columbans Mission Society. Ordained in 1968, he ministered for nearly 20 years to the people of South Korea and later for five years in Jamaica. Between these two assignments he completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Planning back in Australia. In recent years Charles has produced a range of creative resources to support ecological education and personal ecological conversion.

Tuesday 26 March ~ Thea Ormerod is a Catholic Christian, a retired social worker, grandmother of eight and an advocate for climate action. She has long been involved in social action especially concerning global poverty. For the last 11 years, Thea has been active in the multi-faith climate action organisation, the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) and is currently its President. ARRCC promotes ethical, healthy lifestyles and public policies for climate justice.

Jessica Morthorpe is the Founder and Director of the Five Leaf Eco-Awards and an Earth Advocate in the Uniting Church. She is a passionate advocate for the reconciliation and renewal of all creation, supporting churches to get involved in this exciting mission. She has travelled all around Australia visiting churches to see their environmental actions and speaking about the environment and eco-theology. Her background is in environmental science, marketing and theology.

Wednesday 3 April ~ Jacqui Rémond, former National Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia, is co-founder of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. With a Bachelor of Education and Science and a postgraduate Certificate in Leading Resilient Enterprises, Jacqui is an experienced teacher on Environment in secondary and tertiary institutions and is currently pursuing PhD research with a school in the Kimberley on the application of Laudato Si’. She is also working with the National Council of Churches on  An Australian Ecumenical Response to Laudato Si’ and helping the Archdiocese of Brisbane to achieve a system-wide response to this message to the world from Pope Francis.

Tuesday 9 April ~ Stations of the Cross based on Laudato Si’ created by Charles Rue.

Where: The Grail Centre, 22 McHatton Street, North Sydney. The venue is well served by public transport (bus and train). There is also street parking available.

When: From 6:30pm to 8pm (with refreshments from 6pm).

Contribution: $10 per session or $35 for the series (paid in advance)

RSVP: By Friday 8 March to (02) 9955 3053 or grailsydney@ozemail.com.au