Catholic Earthcare Sandhurst Launch - Photo:Sr Caroline Vaitkunas
The Peace, Ecology and Justice Office at the Columban Mission Centre in Melbourne joined the celebration of the twentieth birthday of Catholic Earthcare Australia in Nathalia, Diocese of Sandhurst on the 23rd May. Columban missionary Fr Charles Rue was a founding member of Catholic Earthcare, an organization which inspires spiritual transformation, ecological dialogue and action to care for our common home.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference called for the establishment of Catholic Earthcare in their 2002 Social Justice Statement ‘A new Earth.’ The Bishops said the new agency would act as the Church's advisory council on environmental justice and “link, resource and encourage the many burgeoning ecological Church initiatives around Australia.” In 2017, Catholic Earthcare Australia became a project of Caritas Australia.
Cutting the cake at the Catholic Earthcare Sandhurst Launch - Photo:Sr Caroline Vaitkunas
Since its inception, a plethora of actions by Catholic Earthcare have contributed to the generation of inspiring work across the country. Catholic Earthcare are now providing parishes, schools and other groups with formation, strategies and a community of support in their commitments to ecological conversion. Richard Landels, from Caritas Australia said these programs have made it easy to address the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in caring for people and planet, and the journey towards becoming living Laudato Si’ communities. He said the Catholic Earthcare programs have gained momentum and the newly developed parish program has mushroomed.
The Catholic Earthcare day in Nathalia was a joyful celebration of these fruits and offered rays of hope and enthusiasm to all who attended. The event commenced at St Mary’s of the Angels Secondary College, where Bishop Shane Mackinlay, Bishop of Sandhurst, diocesan clergy, members of Caritas Australia, students, parishioners and other invited guests were welcomed by Principal Mr Matt Carver. After a beautiful lunch and time to catch up and mingle, guests walked to Bob’s Park on the banks of Broken Creek where a Welcome to Country was offered by Yorta Yorta man, Troy Firebrace. A history of the formation and spirit of Catholic Earthcare was offered by coordinator Sue Martin, and then Bishop Shane launched the Diocese of Sandhurst's commitment to care for creation. Bishop Shane stated half of the schools and parishes across the diocese have already signed up to partner with Catholic Earthcare. Bishop Shane commissioned the representatives of these groups who each received a tree, certificate and badge. The ceremony was skilfully chaired by students of St Mary’s College and concluded with the cutting of the anniversary cake by Bishop Shane and Sue Martin.
Bishop Shane speaking at the Catholic Earthcare Sandhurst Launch - Photo:Sr Caroline Vaitkunas
It was a wonderful experience to participate in this event and to meet Catholics of all ages who are walking collaboratively to continue the journey of renewal. Pioneers of Catholic Earthcare Australia invited guests to share the word and encourage more parishes and schools to join up.
Let us pray,
“God, you take on our griefs and anxieties, our joys and hopes. Grow within us your spirit of wisdom so that we can find you present in all the workings of Earth, in every living creature and culture. Guide us to love Earth and our earthly kin as a mysterious web of life, working for the harmony of this world so that its very existence praises You.” Amen.
Prayer by Columban Fr Charles Rue; 7 Days of Creation Reflection-Retreat, 2020.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Centre, Essendon
