Salesian Sisters South Pacific Region

 For the Salesian Family There are young people
Life to be safe guarded
Poverty to be tackled peace to be promoted
There are human rights to be respected
There is Christ to be made known

Dear All,

Greetings for April as we journey towards the Easter Season in the International year of Reconciliation. May our actions for justice and peace empower and continue the new life of the Easter Story.

“The first world day of Social Justice was observed on the 20 th February ‘09 in this International year of Reconciliation, a result of a U.N. Assembly resolution Specifically the Resolution asks that groups and persons “ plan and implement adequate cultural, educational and social programmes to promote the concept of reconciliation, including conferences , seminars and disseminating information about the issue. “
( refer to the prayer reflection provided at the province gathering in February  )
 
This week two local events reflect this for me – On Friday the Nunga Nite at Kura Yerlo, and today’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Week Expo ( The Shores West Beach SA ) Both flourishing events for young people that were steeped in the Salesian tradition of presence and prevention.   Over 400 young people attended the youth week expo and were provided with much information for their future social and emotional well being, as well as career options and pathways for success. The Indigenous cultural welcome in song, dance and language encouraged us all to cooperate for development-
In terms of appreciating our own culture and in the spirit of reconciliation.

Nationally, this Friday ( 3rd April ) our government focuses on reconciliation, by acknowledging its belated support  for the U.N. declaration on the rights of Indigenous people’s – with some clarifications.( If you would like to follow this I have attached a small article from the Australian. )

Let us pray and hope that this small step ( sign of resurrection ) may continue the journey of reconciliation. A sign of hope amongst the challenges for Indigenous young people- of Closing the Gap – in 17 year life expectancy. The social, emotional, health and educational issues. The substance abuse problems – This week the Australian reported of second generations of babies being born with fetal alcohol syndrome in halls gap in the Kimberly’s W.A.
Whilst we hold all of this in our thoughts and prayers it highlights the need for
cooperation for development.

The FMA Institute is always searching for ways to sensitize young people to the great problems’ of poverty and to enable them to contribute skillfully and with an evangelical spirit in order to build a society that better fulfills the legitimate aspirations of human beings.
A sign of our times that we, as Salesian educators, perceive the need that greater attention be given to the growing awareness of the suffering of individuals and entire populations forced to live in poverty in spite of the great steps taken by science and technology.”
( Guidelines for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Rome 2007. pg 7 )

Cooperating for development is truly an Easter action.
A prayer that the new life of Easter will be all of ours during the coming Easter season.

Peace

Louise   

Some dates to acknowledge

Palm Sunday – A day of Prayer / Walks for Peace

26 th May – Sorry Day – This day marks the anniversary of the 1997 tabling of the Human rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report Bringing them Home. Hundreds of thousands of Australians participated in the first National Sorry Day in 1998.
See the calendar of event sat http://www.journeyofhealing.com/.
2009 NAIDOC Week ( July ) – Theme-  Honoring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth.
Posters to follow when available.