With the arrival of Spring, school communities across the Wollongong Diocese have joined in with the global family to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation marking the beginning of the annual Season of Creation which runs from 1st September and concludes on 4th October.

Undeterred by lockdown restrictions, schools engaged in online prayer liturgies and remote learning activities that encouraged a renewed commitment to action in the hope that all creation will have a safe and healthy home to flourish.

In a special video message released for the day Pope Francis said,

Let us choose to change! Let us advance with young people towards lifestyles that are simpler and more respectful of the environment... including in the ways people eat, travel and use water, energy and plastics. 

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation was also an opportunity for schools to acknowledge their Level 3 certification as a Catholic Earthcare School.

Alongside praying for our world during the Season of Creation, schools were also invited to participate in Catholic Earthcare's campaign for the Season of Creation which encourages schools to take a photo of their actions for the environment and share on Instagram or Facebook with #care4ourcommonhome.

Here are some from St Benedict's Oran Park.

To register visit https://catholicearthcare.org.au/act4ourcommonhome/

It makes me very happy to see that young people have the courage to undertake projects for environmental and social improvement, since the two go together. We adults can learn much from them, because in all matters related to care for the planet, they are at the forefront. Let us take advantage of their example and reflect on our lifestyle, especially during the moments of health, social and environmental crisis. Pope Francis September 2021