The Catholic Weekly 11 April 2021

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 11, April, 2021 Call 02 9649 6423 or visit www.catholiccemeteries.com.au Consecrated lawns and chapels Sydney’s only Catholic crematorium Monthly mass for the Repose of Souls Funeral directors available for a Catholic service Bereavement pastoral care Serving the Catholic community for over 150 years AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC University has launched a specialised program to sup- port autistic students in their studies and help ease their transition into the higher ed- ucation environment. The university collaborat- ed with autistic students and staff from ACU and other higher education institutions to develop the Autism at Uni program. It features a student mentor program, social activities, a dedicated web page for cur- rent and future students, and a resource section on the stu- dent portal. It also includes profession- al development for staff and opportunities for research students to contribute to the development of the program. In addition, a $4000 Autism Inclusion Equity Scholarship will benefit autistic students commencing studies at the new Blacktown campus in western Sydney. ACU Pro Vice Chancellor of Engagement, Professor Sandra Jones, said that as an autistic person herself, she is excited to lead the project, which was launched to co- incide with World Autism Autism program breaks barriers Awareness Day on Good Fri- day. “It will help us to address some of the inequities in edu- cation and employment out- Professor Sandra Jones says a new program at ACU will help stu- dents and staff on the autism spectrum. PHOTO:ACU comes for our community,” Professor Jones said. “I am proud to work at a university that recognises not only the challenges but also the strengths of autistic peo- ple”. ACU Vice President Father Anthony Casamento csma said the Autism at Uni pro- gram “is an innovative and ground-breaking program for the higher education sector in Australia”. “ACU is proud to be playing a lead role in recognising the unique gifts that our autistic staff and students bring to en- hance our learning communi- ties,” he said. According to Autism Spec- trum Australia, autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. It is a lifelong disability of- ten linked with physical, de- velopmental or mental health conditions such as intellec- tual disability, epilepsy, gas- tro-intestinal issues, ADHD, dyspraxia, anxiety or depres- sion. As it varies from person to person it is described as a ‘spectrum’. For details about the ACU program see www.acu.edu. au/about-acu/autism-at- acu I n this edition Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5179. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-7,10-11 8-9 17 20-21 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or [email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a A NEW resource for primary schools aimed at fostering un- derstanding of the experiences of children on the autism spec- trumwas launched inNSWPar- liament House lastmonth. Timmy the Turtle is an eight-minute animation in- spired byMaroubra Bay parish- ioner RichardHabelrih. It comes with an accompa- nying workbook and lesson plan written by Richard’s sister and clinical psychologist, Emi- Timmy teaches kindness ly Hanlon. The resource was launched at parliament house with the support of MPs Mar- jorie O’Neill and Mark Coure to coincide with National An- ti-Bullying Day on March 19 and with Autism Awareness Month which is celebrated throughout April. Founder and director of charity Autism MATES, Ran- da Habelrih, Richard’s mother, said that the production was made possible by philanthropic grants, with the largest from the Sisters of Charity Foundation. “Our work at AutismMATES is all about empowering our young people on the spectrum, by giving them a voice and giving them opportunities to self-advocate,” said Ms Habel- rih. “We strive to move away from a mindset of victimhood and charity to a mindset of em- powerment and focusing on strengths and ability. “We also hope that the sales of this animation will generate funds to re-employ the creative artists sowe can create andpro- duce the sequel and establish a social enterprise that will give our autistic school leavers the dignity of employment. “This is social justice in ac- tion, it’s time to move beyond talking about social justice and instead proactively implement- ing it in schools.” Details at timmy.autism- mates.org.au NEW