Archive > July 2009
Oodgeroo NAIDOC Homily – Terry Fitzpatrick – July 11 2009
From Oodgeroo of the tribe Noonuccal
DAWN WAIL FOR THE DEAD
Dim light of daybreak now
Faintly over the sleeping camp.
Old lubra first to wake remembers:
First thing every dawn
Remember the dead, cry for them
Softly at first her wail begins.
Liberated from a failing institution
Terry Fitzpatrick4 July 2009 (Published in The Green Left Weekly July 4 2009)
On April 19, a huge mob of St Mary’s people made a pilgrimage out of a church and into the Trades and Labor Council (TLC) building, home of the Queensland Council of Unions.
They walked out of the church to the TLC, 200 metres down the road in silent vigil with candles and lanterns, banners and balloons – not unlike the Jews of the Old Testament escaping from the slavery of the Egyptians to the liberation of the Promised Land (minus the balloons).
We too feel liberated from the shackles of a failing institution caught up in dogmas and creeds that belong to another age. We felt it was time to take a stand from the constant bullying we have experienced for many years.
Peter Kennedy and Terry Fitzpatrick Media Coverage July 2009
Opinion – A liberating experience
(Cathnews Report with Readers Comments)
We too feel liberated from the shackles of a failing institution caught up in dogmas and creeds that belong to another age. We felt it was time to take a stand from the constant bullying we have experienced for many years.
We have been bullied for standing up for the rights of women and giving them a voice. For challenging and changing the sexist language and images of God in the liturgies and celebrations we have as a community. For ensuring women are given equal roles in the decision making processes of the community.
Dermot Dorgan – July 4 2009
NOTES FOR HOMILY
Sunday 6 July 09 – Mark 6,1-6
In the reading today, Jesus situates himself squarely in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets.
A biblical prophet is one who conveys a message from God to a particular time and place. They’re not, contrary to popular belief, people who can foresee the future. They are rather people gifted with an ability to see deeply into the present, to look below the surface of society and see the undercurrents and hidden realities that determine what is happening or will happen.