Earth Hour
Earth Hour is marked on the last Saturday evening in March. It’s a simple way to demonstrate your commitment to effective climate action in Australia and globally.
laudato si
World Water Day
World Water Day is marked on March 22. We share some information on the impact on poor people of water scarcity.
Challenging Slavery at Easter
Peter Arndt, Director of the Office reflects on Advent and particularly on seeing God with us each day. The hustle and bustle of this time of year can stop us seeing and hearing God in our day-to-day lives. He urges us to keep Christ in our celebrations of Christmas by remembering and including people excluded from society and our brother and sisters in the environment in our celebrations. Peter farewells Patrice Moriarty who is moving on from her support of the Office.
New Priorities for Protecting the Environment
Peter Arndt, Director of the Office reflects on Advent and particularly on seeing God with us each day. The hustle and bustle of this time of year can stop us seeing and hearing God in our day-to-day lives. He urges us to keep Christ in our celebrations of Christmas by remembering and including people excluded from society and our brother and sisters in the environment in our celebrations. Peter farewells Patrice Moriarty who is moving on from her support of the Office.
Lismore Flood Recovery: “Standing on Holy Ground”
A personal, on the ground reflection from Catholic Schools Diocese of Lismore Mission team on what Laudato Si’ means to them. They share their experience of ‘Standing on Holy Ground’ as they support each other to clean up after the floods and rebuild after catastrophic flooding where over 12 of their schools had damage to half of its buildings, and three completed inundated. You can support with prayers and responding to their appeal.
Crying Out: Exploring the Uluru Statement from the Heart and care for the environment
A new resource exploring the relationship between the Uluru Statement from the Heart and care for the environment has been released, aimed at small group discussions in a parish setting. The resource is a creation of the South Australian Dialogue of the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches and can be used across denominations. A leader’s guide is also available through their website to help preparations.
Diocese of Parramatta Launches Laudato Si’ Action Plan
The Diocese of Parramatta has launched their Laudato Si Action Campaign in their communities. Releasing a video sent to all parishes, it combines schools, parishes and organisations to show their support of the Laudato Si Action Plan as well as highlighting the great projects already working in the diocese. Bishop Vincent committed to a base line assessment of the Diocese resources to guide its seven-year plan.
Laudato Si’ Week Resources
Laudato Si’ Week, a celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home is taking place 16 May – 24 May this year. The ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace has created resources for individuals and groups to use throughout the week, including reflection, prayers, actions and quote images. Parish bulletin notices, prayers of intercession and PowerpPoints will also be available.
The Year to Come
Sandie Cornish, the Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace provides an overview of what to look forward to in 2022. Formation will be a key priority for the ACBC and the Office is supporting an 8-week course in Catholic Social Teaching, providing prayer and reflection materials, the launch of the Signs of Our Times Project Collaboration and continuing on the seven year Laudato Si’ Action Plan.
Now is the Time to Act
In his message to COP26, Pope Francis said that “now is the time to act, urgently, courageously and responsibly.” Dr Sandie Cornish suggests that rather than being a cause for despair, the modest outcomes of COP26 should serve as a call to renewed action by every part of society. She reflects on COP26 and enrolling in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.