Living Laudato Si' e-Bulletin

The Living Laudato Si' Steering Group Committee
of the Archdiocese of Brisbane

Friday, 31 July 2020

The continued acceleration of changes affecting humanity and the planet is coupled today with a more intensified pace of life and work which might be called “rapidification”. Although change is part of the working of complex systems, the speed with which human activity has developed contrasts with the naturally slow pace of biological evolution. Moreover, the goals of this rapid and constant change are not necessarily geared to the common good or to integral and sustainable human development. Change is something desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxiety when it causes harm to the world and to the quality of life of much of humanity.

Following a period of irrational confidence in progress and human abilities, some sectors of society are now adopting a more critical approach. We see increasing sensitivity to the environment and the need to protect nature, along with a growing concern, both genuine and distressing, for what is happening to our planet. Let us review, however cursorily, those questions which are troubling us today and which we can no longer sweep under the carpet. Our goal is not to amass information or to satisfy curiosity, but rather to become painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering and thus to discover what each of us can do about it.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, Nos. 18 & 19

The Season of Creation is coming soon! It begins on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, 4 October. We recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic makes celebrations and activities much more difficult, but we hope that, in some way, your parish, school, community or group can mark this time of focus on our relationship with the Creator and God’s creation. There are excellent resources available for ecumenical and denominational liturgies and activities at: www.seasonofcreation.org/
 

As part of our commitment to fostering awareness of the vision of Laudato Si’, the Archdiocese will be hosting a number of on-line events during the Season of Creation. These include:

*World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, September 1, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
A time of prayer, dialogue and reflection with young people in Brisbane and Fiji and Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. Zoom registration details tba.
 
*Eucharist and Integral Ecology, September 11, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
A dialogue between Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Dr Daniel Horan ofm on the relationship between our celebration of Eucharist and our call to hear the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor. Zoom registration details tba.
 
*Laudato Si’ and the Maroonprint, September 14, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
The Archdiocese of Brisbane is a member of the Queensland Community Alliance (QCA). Members of the QCA have developed a set of values and practical principles to guide decisions made by the Queensland Government in the reconstruction of our State when the pandemic ends. The Maroonprint addresses not only economic matters, but also concerns about the social and environmental resilience of Queensland in the long term. This webinar will offer an overview of the Maroonprint and look at some of the key principles contained in it. It will be a preparation for what is expected to be a large on-line assembly of members of the Archdiocese and of other member organisations with the Premier and Leader of the Opposition. Zoom registration details tba.
 
*Protecting Queensland’s Wildlife, date and time tba
Wildlife Queensland and the Boomerang Alliance will share information on campaigns and work being done to protect wildlife in SE Queensland and to reduce plastic pollution which kills so many animals in our region. This webinar will give you ideas on what you can do to reduce plastic pollution and protect wildlife. Zoom registration details tba.
 
*Aboriginal Spirituality and Laudato Si’, 28 September.
Aunty Evelyn Parkin will talk about her relationship with her country and with the Creator in this new video which will be released on-line. Release details tba.
 
*Mass of Creation, 4 October, 10:00AM, Cathedral of St Stephen
Archbishop Mark Coleridge will celebrate a Mass of Creation at the end of the Season of Creation. Bookings can be made to attend this special Mass or you can watch it livestreamed from the Cathedral. Booking details tba.