Today marks the start of Laudato Si’ Week in Australia.
Throughout Laudato Si’ Week, you and your community are encouraged to join in reflecting and acting to bring Laudato Si’ to life.
This year’s theme is “Hope for the Earth. Hope for Humanity”.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Justice, Peace and Ecology Office has developed a series of reflection sheets based on the key findings of the State of the Environment Report 2021, exploring the human impacts on Australian ecosystems and the environment. They can be accessed from the ACBC Justice, Ecology and Peace site.
James Atanasious and Rachael Kama in the Peace, Justice Ecology team in the Diocese of Parramatta say the reflection sheets can be used in several ways. “You can use them each day, or select the sheet that is most relevant to your context,” said Rachael. “We hope that the action ideas, might stimulate thinking about what can be done at a local level. Examples of actions include signing the Australian Conservation Foundation’s “Save our Big Backyard” petition calling for the protection of the forests, reefs and rivers which are the homes of Australia’s threatened plants and animals; or to learn about the “Our Islands, Our Home” campaign run by Torres Strait Islanders seeking climate justice.
Pope Francis to open Laudato Si’ Week
This Sunday 21 May Pope Francis will open Laudato Si’ Week which, for the rest of the world takes place 21 to 28 May. In Australia, we celebrate a week earlier (16 to 24 May) allowing Australians to celebrate both Laudato Si’ and Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June).
As part of the celebrations, the Vatican is inviting everyone to view the movie The Letter. The Letter tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis. The Laudato Si’ Week organisers hope the global celebration will “unite Catholics to rejoice in the progress we have made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life.”
For more information on Laudato Si’ Week and to download the resources and action ideas go to the ACBC Justice Ecology and Peace site.
Find out more about The Letter from the Laudato Si’ Week 2023 website.
