Sr Joanna Coleiro, fsp
The United Nations gave two core themes to its 2010 International Year: both Biodiversity and the Rapproachment of Cultures. The destruction of our earth through the loss of biodiversity is very much the issue of our times but likewise, so is the importance of growing respect and understanding among world cultures of the differences and giftedness between them. These two themes easily come together for Christians as we acknowledge and celebrate the diversity within our own Christian community.

Jan Grajczonek reviews three books in the 2010 shortlist by the Children’s Book Council of Australia: Bear & Chook by the Sea, Isabella’s Garden and Fox and Fine Feathers.

Paul Taouk reviews three useful resources for the religion class: LearningLinks to the Prophets, God Is and em>Prayer Strategies: A Teacher’s Manual

Ann Maree Whenman looks at the attitudes of good Christian community and the diversity of gifts that enable it to florish and witness to Christ in the wider community.

Anne Maree Whenman offers new catechists tips on how to become effective story-tellers.

Jan Epstein reviews Nanny McPhee drawing out themes that can be explored with students in the classroom.

In this activity, Peter Arndt uses the Creation Story to explore the issues and concerns of biodiversity loss.

Jan Grajczonek looks that the important role of teacher-talk in enabling early years students to appreciate and respect religious diversity within the Catholic school setting.

Erin Wedge looks to St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians to explore the importance that diversity has always had in the life of the Christian community. St Paul identified the need for the Christian community to remain unified despite the diversity within it, but also affirmed the very importance and complementarity of diversity to the unity of the community.

Tony Densley reflects on the reality of diversity within the Christian community from its earliest beginnings. He identifies the diversity within the Australian Church as a reflection of Australian society, in itself a microcosm of a multi-cultural world.

Jennifer Callanan highlights some Catholic resources for the Year of Biodiversity and offers a classroom ritual which could be used as part of a unit of work. The ritual invites students reflect on the human impact on biodiversity loss and how God has entrusted the care of the Earth into our hands.

In this valuable activity Clare Horan invites students to explore the issues surrounding homelessness and the importance of a place to call 'home'. Starting from Matthew 25:31-40, Clare invites students to reflect on how they are challenged by the Gospel to think and act differently towards homeless people and homelessness.

Anne Victor's black-line master for early years' students looks at the different ways that people in our community care for the earth.

Beth Nolen's black-line master begins from the foundation of the Christian Story and asks students to illustrate the care that Aboriginal people have shown to the earth for thousands of years.

In this black-line master, Beth Nolen asks young students to explore Australia's cultural diversity and the gifts it has given to Australia.