Director of Mission

Athena Costopoulos

In Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home, he explains that Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that “our common home is a like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. Our sister cries out because of the harm done to her due to our lack of responsibility, and because “We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will”. Given the situation of environmental deterioration in which we find ourselves, Pope Francis calls on all who live on this planet to have a conversation about our common home. We are reminded that unless we approach nature and the environment with an openness to awe and wonder, “our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs”.

All year, St Patrick’s College Townsville has been co reflecting on Laudato Si and on our own relationship with God’s creation. Our staff have taken part in professional development and liturgies, the Student Representative Council, Mercy Girls In Action and Reef Guardians are committed to taking action and McAuley Ministry meets regularly to link this action back to scripture and spirituality. Care for creation is an essential element of our faith. Catholic Social Teaching, which calls us to work for justice and peace as Jesus did, includes care for God’s creation. Responding to this call means becoming stewards of creation, respecting and protecting the environment for the health of the world today and for generations to come.

Theologian Anne Primavesi writes: In this time of climate change: To everything there is just one season; The time is past when atmospheric CO2 levels do not rise; For there is no time when our activities do not contribute to a rise in global temperatures. It is a time to plant trees, not to cut down forests; A time to walk lightly on the earth, not to drive; A time to cherish species, not to kill them; A time to build up life support systems, and not needlessly to consume or waste them.

Mercy Girls In Action

This term we are collecting soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to send to PNG with Youth With A Mission. Donation boxes can be found in the Student Reception and the Library.

We are still knitting squares to make blankets for St Vincent de Paul. If you have any finished squares, please drop them in to Ms Costopoulos’ office or bring them along to the MGIA meeting on Wednesday at lunch time.

TOGETHER WE PRAY

May our footsteps, on these ancient lands,

remind us of creation and connectedness, in our search for truth.

May the Gum Tree, from its roots to its branches,

remind us to dig deep and reach high, in our action for justice.

May the Eagle, who soars in the sky,

remind us of the power, in our call for love.

May the expanse of the lands and seas, of the sky and stars,

remind us of God’s timing in our faith in hope.

May the Holy three, Creator Spirit, Lord God, Papa Jesus,

remind us of community.

So, with grace, mercy, and peace, go in truth, justice, love and hope. Amen

-Brooke Prentis