CEB Staff Newsletter #9 - 22 March 2024
Holy Thursday
Next Thursday 28 March is Holy Thursday. This day commemorates Jesus celebrating the Last Supper with his friends.
Staff are invited to come together for prayer and contemplation at 10.30am in the Ballarat office. This will most likely be in the prayer/reflection space or The Conference Room, according to numbers in attendance.
People are invited to bring hot cross buns to share for morning tea following the prayer gathering.
The prayer itself will be on the SIMON homepage on that day so we as a Catholic Education Ballarat community will be able to access it and use it either individually or as communities across the Diocese.
Article submitted by Jim Waight.
CEB Flu Vaccination Clinic
Wednesday 1 May, 2024
As part of our commitment to supporting employee health and wellbeing, a Flu Vaccination Clinic will run at the CEB Office located on Gillies Street, Wendouree. This initiative aims to provide staff with easy access to flu vaccinations to help protect against seasonal influenza.
Details:
- Where: CEB Office, Gillies Street, Wendouree
- When: Wednesday May 1, 2024
- Time: 9:30am to 11:30am
Bookings:
In order to confirm bookings, please complete click here indicating your preferred time for attending the Flu Vaccination Clinic. Every effort will be made to ensure you get your preferred timeslot and confirmation of your appointment time will be sent by Monday 29 April, 2024.
Unfortunately, in 2024 flu vaccinations are unavailable until early April, with vaccination clinics not commencing until after mid-April; meaning we are unable to coordinate a vaccination clinic with the upcoming CEB Staff Meeting (11 & 12 April), as we have done in previous years.
For staff located in other offices, or who are unable to attend the Ballarat clinic, you have the option of sourcing your own vaccination (via a pharmacy or local vaccination clinic) and will be reimbursed (up to the total of $25).
Log into the FlexiPurchase portal to submit an expense claim for your reimbursement.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity.
Please note: The flu vaccination clinic will only run if we have more than 20 employees attending.
Article submitted by Tania Lund.
Lost and Found
Updated Details!
A Stanley Insulated Food Jar has been handed in at the Gillies Street office.
It was left in the Horsham Office by a visiting CEB staff member. It was the week of February 22, when this term’s Leadership Gathering was held in Horsham.
If you believe this belongs to you, please collect it from the lost and found drawer located at reception.
Harmony Week
This week, from 18 March to 24 March, Australians unite as we celebrate Harmony Week 2024, with March 21st marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This week I would like to share with you a reflection from Manny Bautista’s book, Living Laudato Si’: The Ecological Challenge of Pope Francis.
We are invited to wear a touch of orange this week to show your support of Harmony Week, or you can attend/host a Harmony Week event. Here are a couple of local Harmony Week events;
“A Taste of Shanghai!” TONIGHT at 6:30pm at the Arch View Cafe. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit here.
The Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees, Sunday 24 March 2:00pm to 3:30pm, McDonald Bandstand, Lake Wendouree Foreshore.
Laudato Si’ Principal - RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE POOR
The Response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend human life from conception to death, and all forms of life on Earth.
Reading from Laudato Si’
“Saint John Paul II stated that the special love of the Creator for each human being ‘confers upon him or her an infinite dignity.’ Those who are committed to defending human dignity can find the Christian faith the deepest reason for this commitment…. The Creator can say to each one of us; ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). We were conceived in the heart of God, and for this reason ‘each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.’” (LS n. 65)
Reflection
…Psalm 8 provides a description of human dignity. (vv. 5-7). Caught in the magnificence of the heavens, with its moon and stars, the Psalmist asks “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (v. 4) Our exalted dignity as human enjoys God’s loving attention and care. The Psalmist is awe-struck with the way God lavishly treated humanity. God bestows on us intelligence, self-reflective consciousness and free will… With these gifts, we share in God's creative power. We have such an exalted dignity because of these gifts. Psalm 8 also established the connection between human dignity and the mundane to have dominion and rule over all creation (v. 7). The mundane is to be understood as the work of caring, protecting, preserving and healing creation (LS n. 67). Our God-given gifts and dignity are at the service of this work. They are meant for our good and the good of all creation; they are not intended for the despoliation and destruction of the natural world and the abuse of our fellow humans. On this basis, the violence against creation and the neglect of the poor and suffering peoples of the world run counter to our exalted human dignity and gifts.
Eco-action
A truly exalted human dignity summons us to be true to the mundane of responsible caring. Individually and uniquely, we are gifted with the creative power of God. Let us use it to carry on with our vocation. Let our dignity and honour cause the flourishing of the natural world. Let them cause the improvement of human and ecological conditions. Let whatever we ‘touch’ be seen as the goodness of God. Learn our vocation in the Earth community. At home, at school, at work, in the local and church community, find ways to live out our vacation.
Prayer
Praise to you, Lord,
God of all creation.
For through your goodness,
you gifted us with dignity
and the creative power to care.
Let us discover our talents and skills
and help us develop them for good use.
May we use our freedom wisely
so that we can become
your effective co-worker
in the Earth-human community.
Amen.
Other significant Ecological Events this week:
Friday 22nd March 2024- World Water Day
2024 theme: Water for Prosperity and Peace
World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of freshwater. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. For more information visit here.
Saturday 23rd March 2024 - Earth Hour
#SWITCHOFF
Earth Hour has grown to become much more than switching your lights off, but that iconic switch-off moment is still an important part of Earth Hour. Millions of participants around the world will switch off their lights at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday 23rd March to demonstrate their support of the environment.
Here are some ways you can participate in Earth Hour 2024:
- 💡Switch off your lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 23.
- 💡Unplug electrical appliances and devices that are not in use.
- 💡Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
- 💡Reduce your use of plastic products.
- 💡Recycle and compost waste.
- 💡Support sustainable businesses.
- 💡Get involved in environmental advocacy.
By taking these simple steps, we can all make a difference in protecting our planet.
You can register your participation in Earth Hours 2024 via this link.
Article submitted by Sarah Page.
Red Earth - Lake Mungo Womens Immersions
Spend five special days on the Traditional Lands of the Barkandji and Mutthi Mutthi People!
- August 2024, experience life with female Traditional Custodians on Country
- Stay in privately held, remote Homelands which are inaccessible outside of this setting
- Make meaningful, authentic connections with Indigenous Australians living on their own land
- Learn about language, land, history and culture from welcoming hosts so willing to share
- Be supported in a sacred space of sharing with an open heart
Spend two days at the Culpra Milli Outstation and be welcomed by the Pearce Family, the Traditional custodians of this Land. Listen to truth-telling and dreaming stories that have been passed down through many generations. Share meals and time around the fire connecting over this unique experience, yarning into the evening. Try your hand at weaving, an ancient technique that still exists to this day. Walk on Country down the Milli (Murray River), discovering more about the rich history of this Land.
Visit the breathtaking Lake Mungo National Park on a Discovery Ranger Guided Walk, where you will be shown evidence of ancient life and Australia’s oldest living civilisation. Learn about the women who continue to honour, protect and preserve this Land. Take in the beauty as the sun rises over this striking Country. Gather around the fire and listen to talks on Aboriginal lore and Women’s Business. Pause and reflect on the experiences you’ve shared as the songs of the cockatoos sound out your final evening.
Please see the attached brochure for further details.
Matched Giving Day
Update regarding the old boys Jim and Brendan on bikes!
This Sunday, 24 March Jimmy's Licorice Allsorts have a matched giving day. Each donation made on this day will be matched by Southern Design RV, so in effect, due to this generous sponsorship, every donation will be doubled!! For further information see here.
Some people have asked about donating. The links for Jim and Brendan are:
Many thanks from the two old boys who will soon be on their bikes!!!
Article submitted by Jim Waight.
57 Squat Challenge: National Breast Cancer Foundation
Following on from last year’s Mother’s Day Classic where CEB staff member Kerrie Zammit and a friend raised over $1000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this year they have signed up for the 57 Squat Challenge!
Having both experienced a loved one battle this insidious disease, they are eager to help raise funds for all those women and men, their families and friends, who have been touched by this disease.
If you are able, and would like to support by making a donation, please use this link here.
Maintenance Works - Gillies Street Office
Please note that there will be some construction maintenance works occurring in various areas of the Gillies Street office on Wednesday 3 April between 8am and 4pm (first week of the school holidays).
Most of the works should only be minor in nature but there may be some noise and disruption on this day.
It is requested that staff please be mindful of these works if working on this day.
Should you have any queries please contact either Ashley Wiseman or Penelope Irish.
Article submitted by Ash Wiseman.