I believe this but I didn't write it. Richard Tarnas did in 'Cosmos and Psyche, lntimation of A New World View' (New York, Viking, 2006).
'It is perhaps not too much to say that, in the first decade of the new millennium, humanity has entered into a condition that is in some sense more globally united and interconnected, more sensitised to the experiences and suffering of others, in certain respects more spiritually awakened, more conscious of alternative future possibilities and ideals, more capable of collective healing and compassion, and aided by technological advances in communication media, more able to think, feel and respond together in a spiritually evolved manner to the world's swiftly changing realities than has ever before been possible.'
Wow! And that's only one sentence in a new book 'Blessed Unrest' by Paul Hawken, a story of what's going right in this world, an account of how people use imagination, conviction and resilience to perform daily miracles of redefining our relationship with the environment and with one another.
'Blessed Unrest' has done a job on me. It's reassured me that I'm on the right track just being a small fish in a big pond of millions of civil society non-profit organizations working quietly away at creating 'a new heaven and a new earth' words which fit easily within the core business of the world's oldest religions.
Cameron Reilly, creator of TPN (The Podcast Network), keeps at me about the downside of religion. He would subscribe wholeheartedly to Paul Hawken's thesis.
Michael Walsh, equally sensitive to the negative aspect of religion, is our webpage podcaster. She, too, believes in the holy unrest expressed in her encouragement of 'random acts of unselfish kindness'.
Maybe organized religion is obsolete. Maybe organized government is passe'. Maybe all we, the human family need, to live together in justice and peace, is to endlessly twitter away to each other, dropping the occasional bit of inherited/acquired wisdom about what to avoid and what to embrace.
We 'oldies' did things differently, When God died between 1914-18, the human family was deeply affected. In the West, we'd grown used to God being around. (The East had grown up with God!)
With no more God, killed by the ignorant armies of the Great War, as it was called, the human family installed the League of Nations as God. When that impotent God, died during only a few years of existence, we installed the United Nations to moderate our post World War II behaviour.
This God tinkers with world governance but falls far short of our expectations. We're looking, after all, for heaven on earth.
Well maybe we've arrived at that blessed stage of unrest, well, at least a beginning - although I suspect 21 billion years ago was a beginning and 16 million years ago, in Africa, was another beginning. Maybe we're always beginning this never ending delightful story!
Triple J - This week we interview Steve Bedwell, author of 'Vizard Uncut' and Brent D. Taylor, author of 'Outsider's Edge: the making of self-made millionnaires'.
Also, Dave Corlell, from Paddling for Refugees. He's also, author of 'Following Them Home: The Taste of the Returned Asylum Seekers'.

This is a chance for you to to peacefully heal the relationship with the African community while also celebrating the differences that make Australia such a culturally rich and unique nation.
Meet on Sunday, 4 November at 1 pm outside the State Library of Victoria. At 2 pm the crowd will walk to Federation Square, where there will be a massive cultural celebration.
Both events will help show support and solidarity for all African communiUes within Australia, while also celebrating the amazing mix of multiculturalism that Australians see in everyday life. if you are interested in becoming involved please contact William Moore on 0434 890 845 or wpmool @student.monash.edu.

These will be available in the first week of November for $5 per packet of cards or a calendar.

I did a risky thing last night (17/10). l MC'd a forum, about 'What's Fair in Education'.
It was held as part of Anti-Poverty Week 2007 at RM IT, Courtroom 2 (former Melbourne Magistrates Court now beautifully renovated).
It was risky because it involved paying attention to other people's ideas, professionally presented. People like Dr Helen Kimberley, executive director Equality Research Centre, Professor Richard James, Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne, Marie Bovell, Brotherhood of St Laurence.
I had only to stand and finish the show as well as string the various episodes together in a palatable form.
As I sat and listened (for once!) I became tired, not from boredom, but from the sheer beauty of beautiful ideas expressed beautifully.
The Uniting Church Mission Unit had a big hand in the organizing so it was no surprise to have a reflection from Rev. Wes Campbell, University of Melbourne Chaplain and an intervention from Dr Mark Zirnsak, Director of the Mission Unit, calling for a community network.
So, there I - awash with beautiful ideas about access to education, returning to the corner of Dorcas and Montague, South Melbourne.
But all was not lost because I remember that just the night before I had attended a similar event locally.
It was the launch of a local after-school programme for kids attending secondary schools.
It's been going for 10 years at another venue, the pressed for space Port Melbourne Anglican Church.
Carol Henderson, Uniting Churcher has led the programme all that time. It's an initiative of the local Anglican and Uniting Churches.
Carol managed to get a city councilor, a state politician, an Anglican bishop, a senior uniting church person and 50 other social activists to gather at the Sol Green Centre right in the middle of the local public housing precinct.
Big mouth me was called upon to talk because I've committed the local Catholics to join up for a few thousand dollars (via my Foundation) to 'outsource' to Carol and her team the job of caring for our share of local students.
I made the point that the programme was located just where it ought to be right in the target zone, right where kids lived and moved and had their being.
We need to go even further, of course to a centre open seven days (if not 24/7). It's all about the economy stupid. Yes but which economy? There's 2 you know. The $ one is well known and used for better or worse.
The social economy is the less known one. That's the one spoken about on those two nights I've mentioned. At the RMIT forum we spoke about it. At Sol Green we not only spoke about it we celebrated it and pledged ourselves to further develop it.
Another sign of hope is that a young man, William Moore, who lived just across the road until recently, wants to get 10,000 people on the city streets on November 4 in a March Towards Multiculturalism.
William's got his uni mates to network, to rally Melbourne people for a show of solidarity with our African brothers and sisters.
The march will start at the Public Library and finish with a feast at Federation Square. Timings later.
These local initiatives should be supported. It's the social economy grinding away to make a real commonwealth of real worth to fulfill the intention of the founding Australian community. 'Whereas the people have decided to unite'.
Well, let's decide again and again to unite again and again. Practice makes perfect.
Triple J this Sunday, 9 - 11.00 pm. Dan Matthews 'How far would you go for a cause?' He's been arrested all over the world for championing animal rights.
Marcus Westburg, host of the new ABC show 'Not Quite Art' but insists on presenting himself as a cultural ratbag.
Josh Kurlantzick, author of 'The Charm Offensive,' examines the significance of China's recent reliance on self-power diplomacy.
Rev CE on the Run DMC, also known as Joey Kurtschenko. He's a comedian, slam poet, performs spoken work and so on. Joey just toured the US and wrapped up a show at the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

After spending 12 months working closely with her Brazilian community, Alba Valeria will present a short talk at Sunday's Mass, to raise awareness about migration and what migrants experience in coming to Australia.

Thank you for your support of the Open House. We are always happy to receive non-perishable goods for the cupboard.
The most wanted thing we often lack is instant coffee. And anything high in protein is particularly welcome, eg. tinned fish or meat, processed cheese or meaty pasta sauce.
If you bring perishable foods, please label them with information about where they came from, whether they have been frozen, how long they've been out of the refrigerator etc. Otherwise we can't offer them to our visitors.
If in doubt about whether Open House can use your donation please ask coordinator, Paul Robinson 9699 8422.

We have a parishioner who requires a lift to l0 am Mass He lives near the corner of Dorcas & Pickles Streets, if you can assist please speak with Kevin or Carol after the l0 am Mass or give Carol a call on 9699 2892. If we have a couple of drivers, then it could be on a roster basis.

One of our patrons lost her house in a fire that completely gutted her home, losing all of the contents in her house. She has a 4-year-old girl, Charlotte, who turns 5 on Wednesday 21 November, who lost all of her toys in the fire. If you have any toys at home that would be suitable, please drop them into the Cricket Club Hotel in Clarendon St. Soft toys, DVDs etc. We are also raising money to buy her some new toys as well.

St Patrick's Cathedral - Saturday 1 December at 10.30 am. A special day of healing and hope for sick and infirmed people, their carers and all parishioners.

Featuring 'Going My Way' - Winner of 7 Oscars (Rated G). Children welcome, babysitting provided. Entry $5, families $12.
Time: 6 pm Sunday, 4 November
Venue: Cardinal Knox Centre Lecture Theatre (enter via Lansdowne St, Cnr of Albert & Lansdowne St, East Melbourne (next to the Cathedral) Contact John 0430 032 666
jsmvth~melb.catholic.orn.au to RSVP or for more information

Last post I wrote that tourists in Burma could be the eyes and ears of the world so let some of us tour Burma.
Bad idea, according to Four Corners, an Australian current affairs weekly TV programme.
A brave passive freedom fighter, just released from years in prison, said tourism puts more money into the pockets of the members of the military junta.
He also said tourist facilities were built by Burmese political prisoners working for nothing.
How would you feel living lavishly in a 5 star facility built by 'slaves'? Then again, being there to do a good thing like seeing, assessing and reporting back – would that justify the bad thing of funding an oppressive regime?
Shakespeare asked the same question centuries ago – does conscience 'make cowards of us all'?
On another issue, do we really want to follow our US buddies in developing a national cult of militarism?
Remember, I’m an old digger myself (never fired a shot in anger, admittedly) and was delighted in the 1970’s when the role of the defence force member was redefined as serving in the 'profession of arms'.
Since the Vietnam War, ‘60’s-70’s, Aussie service men and women have performed magnificently as peacekeepers in many parts of the world, far and near.
When a US solider is killed overseas, back home the media invariably laments the death as being in defence of the US itself.
I suspect that our latest casualty, Trooper David Pearce, married for 18 years to Nicole, father to Stephanie 11 and Hannah 6, would rather be remembered as dying in the course of defending local Afghanis' right and desire to live in peace, just like Nicole Stephanie and Hannah.
The political reasons for our soldiers being anywhere else but here is a moot point which will be debated in the lead up to the impending election.
Trooper Pearce found himself, indeed, in Afghanistan and in harm’s way as the result of a political decision. That being said, he like Aussie troops everywhere right now, convey a willing desire to protect the underdog, not for a political reason but a moral one. Trooper Pearce died as a peacekeeper, Aussie soldiers have an inherited /acquired sense of a fair go for all.
Other national forces have their own idiosyncratic ways of dealing with locals. Some not good.
Australians are, historically in theory, egalitarian. Read John Hirst’s 'The Australians' for a balanced view of who we are and who are don’t want to be.
Triple J time again, Sunday, 9-11 pm. Who are the Exclusive Brethren? Are they a cult who brainwash kids or are they just religious citizens who get on with it? Are they a secret and puritanical group who’ve been embraced by our government and should we be scared?
Safran and I interview Quentin McDermott, Four Corners reporter.
Then, Anthony Venn-Brown just named one of the 25 most influential same gender attracted Australians. He talks about workplace discrimination.
Mary Zournazi is a writer and philosopher who lives in Sydney. She has a PhD in cultural theory, philosophy and politics and is our programme’s film buff.
She’ll analyse John Pilger’s latest doco 'The War in Democracy'.
Finally, Archimandrite Tikhan the Abbot of Moscow’s Svetensky Monastery, home of a magnificent Choir which toured Australia in September in celebration of the reformation of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Russia and a journey of peace bringing its music to new audiences.

We have a parishioner who requires a lift to 10 am Mass. He lives near the corner of Dorcas & Pickles Streets. If you can assist please speak with Kevin or Carol after the 10 am Mass or give Carol a call on 9699 2892. If we have a couple of drivers, then it could be on a roster basis.

Sr Bernadette will be selling her fine cakes (Christmas/Lamington logs/shortbread/banana cakes) after Mass. Proceeds to the Fr Bob Maguire Foundation

The South Melbourne Meditation Group will begin meeting in our Parish on Thursday 7.30pm from 18 October. The group is not part of any specific discipline or branch of spiritual practice or religious observance. We welcome and support people of all beliefs and orientations who wish to develop personal awareness and insight through meditation.
While none of us put ourselves forward as masters or experts in meditation, we are happy to share our knowledge and experience to help others.
The evening meditation is a simple program that includes sitting and walking, meditations for approximately 40 minutes followed by tea and open discussion. Regular information about the activities of the group will be provided to participants on an email list. To join the lists write to Ian Roberts idroberts@bigpond.com
Cost minimum gold coin donation. All funds are donated to the Father Bob Maguire Foundation. A similar group meets at Point Lonsdale each Sunday at 4 pm. For further information contact Ian Roberts on 0434 361 282.

The Faithful Companions of Jesus sisters will celebrate 125 years of ministry and service in Australia on Sunday 14 October with a Mass at 2.30 pm in St Ignatius’ Church, Richmond.

A DVD conversation between novelist Martin Amis and Bill Moyers will be used as a stimulus for a conversation led by Sr. Maryanne Confoy rse on Tuesday, October 30 from 7.30 to 8.45 pm at Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park. Cost: Donation. RSVP to 9690 1076 or email contact@kilbridecentre.com.au
In the Martin Amis novel, London Fields, a cynical and disjointed society hurtles towards doomsday. In Amis’ follow-up book, Time’s Arrow, the narrative follows an absurdly reversed course – backward from the Holocaust to purity and innocence. The DVD conversation addresses humanity’s present condition and the conflict between fundamentalism and secular values.

A reflection day: Nurturing Remembrance - Ways God has been with us – Remembering significant others will be held on Tuesday October 30 from 10 am – 3 pm. at Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park. Cost $20 (concessions available). RSVP 9690 1203

What’s Fair – a Christian Perspective, Monday 15 October – 10 to noon at Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park. This will be an opportunity for all to learn about the issues involving Fairtrade and how we can respond in ways of fairness and justice through what we purchase. Sample Fair trade, tea, coffee, herbal tea and chocolate and discover what you can do to support this growing and important movement.

St Joseph’s Collingwood is again holding Opera in the Church, which will be in the Wellington St Hall. We hope to hold this event back in our church one day! More details later.
Date: Thursday 6 December.

1 November from 7.15 to 10.30 pm at the Wellington Community Centre, Wellington St Collingwood. Cost $20. BYO Supper/drinks, glasses etc. Information / bookings Kath or John Taylor 8415 0326 or St Joseph’s 9417 2959

Mary of the Cross Centre was established in 2000 by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to assist any person affected by problematic alcohol and other drug use. Come join us for afternoon tea on Wednesday 24 October at 2 pm in our beautiful historic site at 7 Brunswick St., Fitzroy (the birthplace of Blessed Mary MacKillop). Our speakers may have visited your parish or you may have heard of us through other channels. You are welcome to come if you would like to know more about our work, explore the possibility of joining our volunteer team or would simply like to join us for a cuppa. Please contact Kathy Matthews or Anne Leigh on 9495 6144 to register attendance by 19 October. To enable us to cater for this day, bookings are essential.

I was led to believe that the internet couldn’t be turned off!

I just read in the Melbourne press that the Burmese government has done just that. The few internet cafes have been closed. The first line of resistance to the military regime, ie. the street demonstrators, has disappeared, including the monks.

There are press reports that thousands have been detained and, a much more sinister turn of events, killed and dumped in the jungle.

That leaves a handful of bloggers to inform the rest of us of what’s happening.

Now even those bloggers live in fear of apprehension.

Neighbouring “great powers”, India and China, won’t intervene on behalf of the oppressed population because they need easy access to the natural resources with which Burma has been blessed by nature.

Supporters of “people power” both inside and outside Burma, are divided. Do you endorse the knee jerk reaction of sanctions or do you act “smarter” by avoiding hostile actions that will force the regime into further violent repression?

Tourism is a “smart” form of people power. It’s a big ask but tourists could be a legitimate “army” of social reporters, the eyes and ears of the world.

Maybe the Burmese regime can be shamed into gradually giving a fair go to all Burmese people.

Regime change surely has to come from within Burma itself. Of course, inducements from concerned richer nations would be the “carrot” approach. The “big stick” method has been discredited in Iraq, Afghanistan (maybe soon in Iran) and many other lesser reported conflicts of culture or commerce.

Then again, where there’s massive deadly oppression, just maybe there’s call for both “stick” and “carrot”, punish only the guilty party, however, not the whole population. I presume that’s what the noble art of diplomacy is all about. So, let’s call on our Australian diplomats to work harder and smarter, not just in favour of our national interest but in favour of our newfound global conscience.

We’re either a global village or we’re not. You can’t have it both ways.

Which leads me to the Africans in Australia. Is the “White Australia” policy back? I remember it as a kid. Does “Advance Australia FAIR” mean fair skin?

Can we not make bigger sacrifices to try to provide health and safety for refugees from the global village’s most exploited regions?

This lucky Australia, where no foe has gathered our harvest or sat on our stockyard rail, has to become humble enough to admit almost universal ignorance of the plight of our African brothers and sisters.

Australian Jews, Muslims and Christians have sacred texts which demand sympathetic treatment born from respect, for refugees and other “foreigners” stranded in Australia. Australian atheists and secure humanists have their own motivation.

Don’t let “White Australia’ rear its ugly head.

By the way, our Foundation supports with selves and $’s, several Sudanese people and several other migrants, Muslims in particular, who have no helpful connections in Australia.

I say “our” Foundation because the sooner you all feel part of what I do, the better goes my awareness-raising campaign.

I have a pious feeling that fundraising is ok if awareness- raising is successful.

On Triple J, this Sunday, 9-11 pm Malcolm Fraser on refugees, Tampa, CARE.

Tracy Bowden, ABC TV (Foreign Correspondent) on “Christian United for Israel in the USofA (where else!)

Then, Tusa Finan, one of the contestants on ABC TV’s “The Abbey”.

Finally, song by John Chaoplin-Fleming, one half of the Scared Weird Little Guys.

R.J.M.

A DRIVER FOR GEORGE
Can you help: We have a parishioner who requires a lift to 10am Mass – he lives near the corner of Dorcas & Pickles Streets, if you can assist please either speak with Kevin or Carol after the 10am Mass or give Carol a call on 9699 2892. If we have a couple of drivers, then it could be on a roster basis.


“Open House” requiring volunteers
The Open House team is asking for more volunteers who would be especially prepared to give out food parcels. If you are interested in volunteering some time, to this project – it could be on a weekly, fortnightly basis or even occasional and some basic training would be given.

If you are interested please give Paul Robinson a call on 0408 992 595 or paul@linktours.com.au. Paul and Mario Perrone are the coordinators of the Open House team.

Celebrating 125 years in Australia
The sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus will celebrate 125 years of ministry and service in Australia on Sunday 14th October with a Mass at 2.30pm in St Ignatius’ Church, Richmond.

Past Students and Friends are welcome. Please reply by October 1st to 9429 5726


Commercial Filming: There will be a filming of a television commercial at the Railway Hotel, 280 Ferrars St, South Melbourne On Monday October 8 between 7.00am-4pm.

There will be a noticeable increase in street activity on the day and with the permission of the City of Port Phillip a number of parking spaces will be reserved close by for our equipment trucks. All provisions are being made to minimize any impact the shoot may have on residents.


Anti-Poverty Week campaign
What’s Fair – a Christian Perspective, Monday 15th October – 10-12am. Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park.

This will be an opportunity for all to learn about the issues involving Fairtrade and how we can respond in ways of fairness and justice through what we purchase. Sample Fair trade, tea, coffee, herbal tea and chocolate and discover what you can do to support this growing and important movement.

To kick off our singles friendship group, we will have our first get together on Saturday night, October 13th, commencing at 6.00 pm, followed by dinner for those interested. Contact Marita 0438 608 070. Hope you can come along!

This Sunday on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Francis, lover of all creation, join other pet lovers for an informal blessing from a Franciscan Friar and a Buddhist Nun.

Sunday 7th October (today), 3pm – Port Melbourne, Life Saving club, 32 Beaconsfield Pde. Bring your pet (or a photo) along!

After the Blessing, join us (with your pet) at the Kilbride Centre (52 Beaconsfield Pde) for refreshments.

Mary of the Cross Centre was established in 2000 by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to assist any person affected by problematic alcohol and other drug use.

Come join us for afternoon tea on Wednesday October 24 at 2.00pm in our beautiful historic site at 7 Brunswick St., Fitzroy (the birthplace of Blessed Mary MacKillop).

Our speakers may have visited your parish or you may have heard of us through other channels. If you would like to know more about our work, explore the possibility of joining our volunteer team or would simply like to join us for a cuppa.

Please contact Kathy Matthews or Anne Leigh on 9495 6144 to register attendance by October 19. To enable us to cater for this day, bookings are essential.