I appreciate you are busy, given the time of year, and intend to speed-read this. Do not worry; I will not take long. I wanted to reflect on some things we have achieved in the Cardijn Community Australia this year.
We activists can be opinionated and downright prickly at times, which can sap energy and collaboration—sorry, just saying. So, I was inspired by the conversations among key leaders of the various Cardijn movements trying to improve comradery. An exciting, combined initiative is an event planned for 2025 to recognise the 100 years since Joseph Cardijn got the Young Christian Workers (YCW) recognised by the Pope.
This year, the Cardijn Community Australia (CCA) completed our quarterly social enquiries. Along with parish groups, there are some useful meetups at homes and coffee shops where people are doing the enquiries. It is great we continue to practice the discipling of the method and keep it alive and well. I acknowledge the calls to encourage and recognise other options for the method, such as personal reviews, services, and collective actions.
A big achievement has been our work on communication. Wayne McGough has been indefatigable with his watch and analysis of the world’s events, providing commentary on the signs of the times through the Cardijn Community Australia Facebook page. Building on the work of David Moloney, we have resumed the Cardijn Way monthly newsletter. Greg, Heather, Stefan, and I have also created a fresh look for the CCA website, which is attractive and sharp.
I suppose I am meant to give a deep message given the time of year. Really, our Chaplains are guns at this. Anyway, here goes.
“As we eat our Christmas dinners, let us remember the toil of all those who put the food on the table for us. Lord Jesus was a worker like me.”
Thank you for all that you do to change the world. I wish you a safe and happy Christmas and the very best for the New Year.
Mark Ager
Registrar – Cardijn Community Australia.