Association of Ministerial PJP's

Fourth Sunday of Advent
2022-12-18
Christian Festival: Fourth Sunday of Advent preparing for the celebration of Christmas

https://universalis.com/australia/20221208/today.htm

Christmas Day
2022-12-25
Christian Festival of the birth of Jesus

https://universalis.com/australia/20221225/today.htm

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
2023-01-05
Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), the 10th and final Sikh master, created the Khalsa (the
Community of the Pure) and declared the Scriptures (Guru Granth Sahib) to be the Sikh’s
Guru from that time on.

Epiphany
2023-01-06
Signifying the end of the 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany celebrates the visit of Three Kings
to the infant Jesus as the occasion of the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles.

Nativity (Orthodox)
2023-01-07
Nativity is the Orthodox celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered by
Christians to be the Son of God, and the savior of all people.

Mahayana New Year
2023-01-07 - 2023-01-09
The Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the
people. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on first full moon day in January. A
time to reflect on the past & cleanse oneself from prior year’s sins, making a fresh start

Maghi
2023-01-13 08:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Sikh event of Maghi commemorates the sacrifice of the Chali Mukte (the Forty Liberated Ones), who
sacrificed their own lives defending an attack by the imperial army in pursuit of Guru
Gobind Singh. This took place in Khidrane di Dhab, on 29 December 1705.

Synodality training course
2023-01-15
Course on Synodality promoted by the Evangelii Gaudium Centre (attached)
Three online lectures starting at 4.00am AEDT cost 100 euro
Those who intend to register for the entire course must do so by

15 January 2023. Those wishing to follow one or more modules, on the other hand, have a deadline of:
4 February 2023 for the 1st Module;
4 March 2023 for the 2nd Module;
6 May 2023 for the 3rd Module.

Flyer: Synodality training course
Link to register: https://forms.gle/xb1SmD5mYW3zTo1A6

Pongal
2023-01-15 - 2023-01-18
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated by Tamil people in India and Sri Lanka,
dedicated to the Hindu Son of God Surya, thanking Surya for agricultural abundance.

Epiphany (Orthodox)
2023-01-19
Also known as The Feast of Theophany, this observance commemorates Christ’s baptism
by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.

Chinese New Year
2023-01-22
Also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is the most
important holiday in China and for Chinese people around the world. Celebrated by
Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist practitioners.

“Walking together: what lies ahead on the journey to a Synodal Church”
2023-01-31 14:30 - 16:00 | Newman College, Melbourne, 887 Swanston St, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Public Forum for 150 people facilitated by Rev Frank Brennan SJ with Sister Nathalie Becquart XMCJ. Nathalie is a French Sister of the Congregation of Xavières. In May 2019 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Consultor to the Synod of Bishops and in 2021 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. She is the first woman to ever hold this position in the Vatican and the first woman to have voting rights in the Synod of Bishops.
Sr. Nathalie has played a significant role in both the Synod on Young People in 2018 and the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region in 2019.
Sr. Nathalie is coming to Australia for a few days only on her whirlwind tour, and places will be limited for her free events in Melbourne and Sydney. Please register to avoid disappointment, as places at each event are limited!

Towards a spirituality of synodality
2023-01-31 17:00 - 18:30 | Newman College, Melbourne, 887 Swanston St, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Public lecture for 150 people or watch online as live stream withSister Nathalie Becquart XMCJ. Nathalie is a French Sister of the Congregation of Xavières. In May 2019 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Consultor to the Synod of Bishops and in 2021 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. She is the first woman to ever hold this position in the Vatican and the first woman to have voting rights in the Synod of Bishops.
Sr. Nathalie has played a significant role in both the Synod on Young People in 2018 and the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region in 2019.
Sr. Nathalie is coming to Australia for a few days only on her whirlwind tour, and places will be limited for her free events in Melbourne and Sydney. Please register to avoid disappointment, as places at each event are limited!

The Synod on Synodality - Why we should care?
2023-02-02 19:30 - 20:45
SYNODALITY is a Church word for inclusive leadership, listening to the sense of faith of the faithful.
Pope Francis has called a two-part Synod on Synodality in Rome in 2023 and 2024.
The Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific) are meeting in Fiji early February to finalise their submission to the Synod on Synodality.
The submissions from all continents will be the basis for the Synod.
MODERATOR: Christina Reymer, Co-founder Be the Change Aotearoa/New Zealand.
INTRODUCTION: Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, President Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
SPEAKERS:

Francis Sullivan AO, Leadership roles in major Church ministries
Susan Pascoe AM, Member of the Vatican planning group for the 2023/24 Synod
Grace Wrakia, PNGSI lay representative for Oceania Synod Task Force
Patricia Gemmell, Leader within the Grail in Australia and Australian Women Preach

“Walking together: what lies ahead on the journey to a Synodal Church”
2023-02-03 16:00 - 17:30 | St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, Parramatta, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia
Public Forum for 250 people with Sister Nathalie Becquart XMCJ. Nathalie is a French Sister of the Congregation of Xavières. In May 2019 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Consultor to the Synod of Bishops and in 2021 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. She is the first woman to ever hold this position in the Vatican and the first woman to have voting rights in the Synod of Bishops.
Sr. Nathalie has played a significant role in both the Synod on Young People in 2018 and the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region in 2019.
Sr. Nathalie is coming to Australia for a few days only on her whirlwind tour, and places will be limited for her free events in Melbourne and Sydney. Please register to avoid disappointment, as places at each event are limited!

“Towards a spirituality of synodality”
2023-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 | St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, Parramatta, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia
Public lecture for 700 people or watch online as live stream with Sister Nathalie Becquart XMCJ. Nathalie is a French Sister of the Congregation of Xavières. In May 2019 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Consultor to the Synod of Bishops and in 2021 she was appointed by Pope Francis as Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. She is the first woman to ever hold this position in the Vatican and the first woman to have voting rights in the Synod of Bishops.
Sr. Nathalie has played a significant role in both the Synod on Young People in 2018 and the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region in 2019.
Sr. Nathalie is coming to Australia for a few days only on her whirlwind tour, and places will be limited for her free events in Melbourne and Sydney. Please register to avoid disappointment, as places at each event are limited!

Nirvana Day
2023-02-15
Nirvana Day (or Parinirvana Day) is a Mahayana holiday which celebrates the day when
the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana (complete enlightenment) upon the
death of his physical body.

MahaShivaratri
2023-02-18
MahaShivaratri (or ‘Great Night of Shiva’) is a festival celebrated in honour of the Hindu
deity Lord Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Lailat al Miraj
2023-02-18
Observance of Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his
ascension (al Miraj) to heaven and return the same night. Also known as ‘Night of
Journey’ (al Isra).

Modern Slavery: MPJP Canonical Stewards respond
2023-02-20 13:00 - 14:00
What is modern slavery?
How is it present in Australia?
Modern Slavery Act 2018
Appropriate responses to modern slavery?
Catholic Social Teaching and modern slavery
What is the role of ACAN and ACRATH?
What role is there for MPJP Canonical Stewards?

Presenters:

Rosemary Copeland: Co-Chair Kildare Ministries
Christine Carolan, National Executive Officer Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans
Alison Rahill, Executive Officer: Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network

Tibetan (Buddhist) New Year
2023-02-21 - 2023-02-23
The Tibetan (Buddhist) New Year, also known as Losar, is a three-day festival where people visit
monasteries, make offerings, receive blessings and take part in various activities
symbolizing purification and welcoming in the new.

Ash Wednesday
2023-02-22
Lent is the period of 40 days (not including Sundays) which comes before Easter,
traditionally a time of fasting and reflection. The 40 days represents the time Jesus spent
in the desert overcoming temptation by Satan. In Western Christianity, it begins on Ash
Wednesday and ends on Maundy Thursday.

Great Lent (Orthodox)
2023-02-27
Great Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter, traditionally a time of
fasting and reflection. The 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the desert
overcoming temptation by Satan. In the Orthodox Church, Great Lent starts on Clean
Monday and ends on the Friday before Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday.

AICD Company Directors Course
2023-03-01
This online program is delivered as a flexible 19-week program (including pre-reading time and optional assessment period). Comprised of five topics that are delivered over one day per week for five weeks. The course includes relevant case studies, comprehensive course materials, director tools, facilitated online learning sessions, and the assistance of a Learning Support Executive should you wish to sit the course assessment. Each day is led by expert facilitators who have real-world governance experience and a talent for creating an engaging learning environment online.
How will you benefit?
The Company Directors Course Online blends the best of online learning with interactive facilitation to take your knowledge of directorship to new heights . Upon completion of this course, participants are able to: Outline the duties and practices of directorship and the board’s functions and responsibilities. Analyse the responsibilities and functions of directors and officers considering the key questions
directors should ask about their legal environment and its impact on board decision-making. Examine the board’s roles in developing a culture that is appropriate for the risk appetite/ tolerance of the organisation and the board’s role in developing and executing strategy. Develop financial literacy and examine the board’s role in driving organisational performance. Examine effective decision making, board dynamics, the impact of individual and collective performance and how a constructive board culture can create value for an organisation. Apply the course learning through experiential learning activities.
The Company Directors Course overview
Week 1 and 2 Course Commences, pre-reading period begins. Participants gain access to their materials in MyLearning, including additional complimentary access to the Interpreting Financial Statements and The Director Mindset elearning courses. Participants join their Course Introduction Session with their Lead Facilitator. This session introduces the course and materials, explains the teaching philosophy the faculty will use during their deliveries and introduces the Learning Support Executive who will support participants through the course.
Week 3 Virtual Classroom delivery- Governance and the Practice of Directorship
Week 4 Virtual Classroom delivery – The Legal Environment
Week 5 Virtual Classroom delivery – Risk and Strategy
Week 6 Virtual Classroom delivery – Financial Literacy and Performance
Week 7 Virtual Classroom delivery – Achieving Board Effectiveness
Week 8 Assessment opens and participants begin working on their assessment tasks with the support of the Learning Support Executive.
Week 19 Assessments are due.
Assessment
The optional course assessment is comprised of three tasks: a quiz, an exam and an assignment. All three must be successfully completed to achieve the Company Directors Course award and meet one of the criteria for gaining GAICD postnomials. Participants are supported in their assessment by a dedicated Learning Support Executive, who provides guidance and personalised support throughout the process.
Governance within the Catholic Church Facilitated by Fr Brian Lucas
(National Director of Catholic Mission Australia)
The workshop is designed to unpack relevant provisions and to explore issues and challenges that emerge between the application of secular governance principles and implementation of the provisions of the Code. There are special features different from Corporate Governance, whether corporate or not for profit. These relate to the legislation within the Code of Canon Law and governance by individuals rather than boards. Various corporate and organisational structures within the Catholic Church are governed by the Code of Canon Law.
AICD Company Directors CourseTM
Once a week for Five weeks (Wednesday) AICD intensive course addressing:
• The Practice of Directorship
• Decision Making
• Directors’ Duties
• Legal Environment
• Risk Issues
• Strategy
• Financial Literacy and Performance
• Board Effectiveness

Magha Puja Day
2023-03-06
Celebration of the presentation of teachings by the Buddha to a spontaneous gathering of
1250 arahants (holy men). Also known as ‘Great Assembly Day’ or ‘Sangha Day’.

Purim
2023-03-07
Commemorates the time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from
extermination by the courage of a young Jewish woman, Queen Esther. Preceded by
the Fast of Esther, Purim is a joyous holiday.

Holi
2023-03-08
A joyous Hindu festival that celebrates love, spring and the victory of good over evil.
People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration. Holika Dahan, the burning
of an effigy of a mythical demoness named Holika, is performed the night before.

Lailat al Bara'ah
2023-03-08
Islamic event. On this night, God approaches the Earth to call humanity and to grant forgiveness of
sins. Shia and Sunni interpretations may vary on the meaning of this date.

Hola Mohalla
2023-03-08
An annual festival started by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, as a gathering of
Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles.

Naw Ruz
2023-03-21
Naw Ruz is the Baha’i New Year which coincides with the vernal equinox. The inception
of the Baha’i calendar was on 21 March 1844 CE with the declaration of the Bab, the
Prophet-Herald of the Baha’i Faith.
