What’s more Australian than the Columban Calendar and Majellan Christmas cards?
Tradition is alive and well among Australia’s Catholic community. While it might seem too early to talk about Christmas, our stores are filling with decorations, and some stores have already opened glittering departments where Christmas ‘trim’ catches the eye in a blaze of colour.
In the same way, some of Australia’s best-known charitable and missionary organisations are working hard to fulfil orders for cards and calendars to individuals and parishes.
The Columban Calendar and Majellan Christmas cards are a central part of the Christmas tradition in Australia for many Catholics. Just like some of the country’s biggest retailers, both organisations plan well ahead to cope with the logistics of making sure that these traditions continue, and that the cards and calendars are delivered on time.
Sue Wallace, manager at Majellan Publications, says: "The response to the Majellan cards is tremendous every year. Majellan has been selling cards for more than 50 years. People often call us to say how much they look forward to seeing the designs of our new cards. They like them because they depict scenes from the Christmas story making sure that the real message of Christmas is passed on to their kids, grandkids and nieces and nephews."
In the same way, the Columban Calendar has had a special place in nearly every Catholic home in Australia for 91 years.
"Flicking through the new calendar to admire the traditional artwork is itself ritualistic," says Columban Director of Mission Programs, Janette Mentha. "While the calendar doubles as a guide to the liturgical year, it is also fondly remembered for bringing into our homes beautiful religious art from the world’s great galleries."
Not many people will know that an online multimedia art guide is available that takes the listener on a journey of discovery across the finer points of these beautiful illustrations. "It’s just as much an inspiring art resource as it is a calendar, making it a useful reference source for schools and those of us who simply enjoy exploring art in our homes. It offers a way to view these great moments in biblical history just as the artists viewed them, and feel the same way those depicted in the art may have felt," Janette Mentha adds.
Watch\Listen the 2013 Columban Calendar - Art Guide
00:23:20 | Sep 24, 2012
The sale of cards and calendars support long-term community development programs in Australia as well as in Vietnam, Korea, India, Burkina Fasso, The Philippines, Chile, Peru, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Taiwan and Fiji.
"We supply most of our cards to parishes to be sold in piety stalls, but anyone can place an order directly through Majellan Publications by calling (03) 9592 2777 or by visiting www.majellan.org.au," says Sue Wallace.
Similarly, the Columban Calendar can be purchased in piety stalls or directly from the Columbans on (03) 9375 9475 or online via www.columban.org.au.
St Columbans Mission Society thanks Joe Boschetti, Director of Majellan Publications for his article.
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