Thomas William Prabawa - Publicity Coordinator

Before we start, see the big picture first... 

ok if you're still reading this means you like it... keep going

The Icing on Top:

People ask me, Hey Thomas what about those photography and designs? Am I expected to be a guru? The straight answer is: you don't. Previous publicity coordinators didn't, all the way from the start. Its just like icing on top. Some cakes are nice without them. But the foundation must be fulfilled. Besides all the files that I will pass on, you will also get help from your fellow committee members.

whats it in for you (think about it, you get all this along the way!):

• You will grow - I guarantee this
• You get the original files. I could work with you side by side, and teach you some photoshop skills or even photography skills!
• You develop people skills, meet lovely people.
• Gain legit technical skill to jazz-up your resume
• The committee retreat is quite nice. matt can confirm.
• You're helping publicising God
• Great to improve your english skills, so for someone like me who need to do well in IETLS...
• Reduce awkwardness - you will be at the front line of the members. You will be the first one saying hi, and introducing COSDU to them. Plus you will express yourself in the blog.
• Treasure moments - find friendships within cods that you will remember in 10yrs time

If you got any questions for you:

Please approach me and ask any questions.

TRUST yourself, if you feel compeled to step up for this role, just do it. Let the rest be the will of God.
so feel exited? u can contact me right now and ask ANY questions @ prabawathomas@gmail.com

Jose Gabriel M. Apolo (Gabby) - Music Coordinator

Music can stir inner feelings of passion and of reverence. It certainly has a great influence on our feelings and how we think about things. Music can be powerful.

A lot of the times when we pray, we seek those ‘feelings,’ and we very much so through music, especially during praise and worship. We must guard ourselves from this, lest we just use it to entertain ourselves.

Music, used for praise and worship can deepen our relationship with God. It can help us pray when we are at a loss for words ourselves. It can lead us to a greater sense of hope. As St. Augustine says, “Singing is twice praying.”

So as Music Coordinator, you will almost always have to choose songs for praise and worship and for Mass.

As a past Music Coordinator mentioned, a good knowledge of Christian music would be very helpful both old and new, and traditional hymns. (To be honest, only by becoming a Music Coordinator my knowledge of Christian Music had expanded, especially for traditional hymns.)

Reflecting on my role as Music Coordinator, I think that the most crucial aspect of it is our relationship with God. The reason I say this is because, you will be leading a lot of praise and worships, and they really are prayers as a community. So as a leader, you are leading people into prayer. As a leader you must be the first one to be prayerful, to humble yourself and allow God to teach you how to pray; to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and directions.

If you feel that you haven’t had the best relationship with God, then now is the best time to develop that. Take on the challenge, I dare you. Let this role as a Music Coordinator stretch you, and let God come to you through it. And so as a consequence bless and enrich others through music because you humbled yourself and allowed God to come to you!

And now, the practical side of things:

Because as a Music Coordinator you will be choosing songs and be arranging practices together with your fellow musicians, it will help you very much and save you headache and spare you from panic by being organized.

So Planning is Key:

• Arrange and set a day before the event itself for practice and also a venue for it, i.e. Tuesday nights or Saturday mornings. It is preferable that you keep to one day and not shift days for practice.

• You do not have to lead all the Praise and Worships as you can ask people to lead as well. Now, when choosing people, I suggest that you book them more than a week ahead, and so on for the other weeks. Try to plan out a roster for the whole month for worship leaders.

• When choosing songs for worship, try to do it more than a week before the set day, and also as much as possible see if you can relate to the theme for the day, or however you feel how God wants you to pray or what message He might want to impart through you.

• Also because you will be taking care of COSDU’s music equipment, and at times the venue for Mass will be at different places, you will need help to get the equipment around.

If you do choose to accept the challenge and this anointing that God will be giving you by sparking a desire in you to serve as Music Coordinator and to be leading people in prayer, I encourage you to do so.

I also encourage you to add in your flare, the talents God has given you and to multiply them. Be creative!

Here’s a little sharing of my experience as a Music Coordinator before I end. Through this role, by God’s grace I have been stretched and have grown in my character.

I used to be afraid of singing in front of people; it used to be one of my biggest fears. I just felt shameful about it, shameful about my own voice. Through the years, little by little I started to overcome this fear, and becoming a Music Coordinator, I can say was the pivotal point. I can sing now anytime, and alone in front of people if I must.

Also through this role, God has exposed to me of my own pride. I won’t say that it is completely gone, like everyone I am still a work in progress.

And finally, if I can condense this role into a few words it would be, planning, and growing in your continuous relationship with God.

And with that, may God be praised.

Emily Cheah - Social Justice Coordinator

Social Justice. It sounds intimidating and larger than life. After some quiet reflection, I recall that my very first image of a Social Justice Coordinator is one of a very hyperactive character with a loud war cry and a charismatic presence. Think Mel Gibson in Braveheart. Xena, Warroir Princess. Robin Hood. You get the mental image.

When cast into this position a year ago, I was apprehensive. What can I do for Social Justice?

Over the course of the year, I have come to understand that Social Justice is beyond the pre-conceived stereotype I had. Rather, it was the complete opposite. In sharing my thoughts about what I have come to realise about Social Justice, I hope to inspire you to consider running for the position as a Social Justice Coordinator.

Social Justice isn’t always about being visible.

Melbournians love to campaign. There will, inevitably, be at least one occasion where your tram will be cancelled because there is a pro-life / pro-choice / industry action campaign running through the streets of the city.

While these groups are actively campaigning with high visibility, a lot of other social justice organisations and workers are almost invisible. Take for example the soup kitchens for the homeless in Fitzroy or the tutors who strive to enrich the educational experiences for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Do not forget the carers who assist in aged care homes.

Being visible in social justice should not be the main priority. Contributing towards the cause is. So even if you are working quietly in the seemingly invisible areas of social justice, know that you are still creating change in someone else’s life.

Social Justice isn’t always about tackling the big causes.

When we focus on the bigger things in life, we often overlook the smaller things. Basic necessities for a human person such as food, shelter and clothing can be ignored amidst larger concerns such as global warming and stem cell research.

Start small. Dream big. If folding one paper crane can ensure that a child affected by the tsunami in Japan will be given a new set of clothes, why wouldn’t you do that?

Social Justice isn’t for everyone.

Like the different vocations which we are called to, some may not find the message for social justice appealing. While it is an essential part of the Church’s teachings to participate in its social teachings, many may find it confronting.

Be gentle. Start small (see point above).

Most importantly, do not be disheartened. Start the ball rolling and you will be surprised with how many people actually find the confidence in you to start their social justice journey.

Search for meaning in the things you do. Be brave and open your mind to the possibilities.

It is very tempting to stick your finger in every single pie. Be warned though, there is something called “burn out”. Pick a few causes that you can empathise with. Animal welfare, aged care, the environment, children in need, the homeless, etc.

It has to resonate within you. Be conscious that what may resonate with you may not resonate with others so always be open to all possibilities and have an open discussion with everyone.

Find meaning in what you do and that translates into genuine care and service to others.

Never give up.

Ironically, social justice organisations can be some of the hardest organisations to volunteer with and rightfully so. There are ethical standards to meet, a high level of commitment and sometimes, very specific skill sets are required.

Keep trying. Cold call. Make friends and keep offering your assistance. You will finally find a place and very often, they will be the ones that need the most help. God is smart. He knows what He is doing.

To sum it all up, it is an adventure that can take you to places you will never imagine and most importantly, it reminds us that we are human beings with dignity, with needs, wants and desires. The dignity of a human person should be respected regardless of circumstance. A Social Justice Coordinator need not espouse to change the world but rather, to encourage respect, love and care for the human person. A Social Justice Coordinator facilitates the understanding that we stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised by modern society.

Does this sound all too familiar? Hint, Jesus Christ was the first Social Justice campaigner.

To quote Gaudium et Spes (1965), “the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well”.

Are you ready to be a disciple of Christ?