FAITH MATTERS 

Living Water and Faithful Love

During September, Christians throughout the world celebrate the Season of Creation—a time to renew our relationship with God, with one another and with the whole created world. Beginning on 1 September and continuing until the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October, this season calls us to move beyond simply admiring creation and to take an active role in caring for our common home.

The theme for 2026 is Living Water, inspired by the vision found in the Book of Ezekiel:

“Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live… and everything will live where the river goes.” — Ezekiel 47:9

For us here in Swan Hill, this image has particular meaning. The Murray River flows through our landscape as a source of life—sustaining wildlife, farms, families and our wider community. It reminds us that water is not merely a resource to be used, but a precious gift entrusted to our care.

Ezekiel’s river begins as a small stream and gradually becomes deeper, bringing healing and new life wherever it flows. Perhaps this is also how change begins: with small but deliberate acts of care. Conserving water, reducing waste, protecting our local environment and making thoughtful choices may appear simple, but together they allow healing to flow into our world.

This weekend, as we celebrate Father’s Day, we are invited to recognise another form of life-giving care—the faithful and often quiet love found within families.

In our Chapel prayer this week, we reflected on the workbench of St Joseph. A workbench carries the marks of ordinary life: tools that have been used, timber shaped patiently, unfinished work and evidence of effort that others may never see. It offers a fitting image of fatherhood.

Like St Joseph, many fathers and father figures show their love through presence, protection, sacrifice and the countless ordinary things they do each day. Their care may not always be expressed through grand gestures. Often, it is revealed through hands that work, ears that listen, words that encourage and a willingness to remain beside those they love.

We also placed an empty chair near the workbench. For some, Father’s Day is a joyful celebration. For others, it can bring sadness, grief, absence or complicated memories. The empty chair reminds us of fathers and grandfathers who have died, those separated from their families by distance or circumstance, and relationships in need of healing. It also holds a place for the love that remains, even when someone is no longer physically present.

On Father’s Day, we give thanks not only for fathers, but also for grandfathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, uncles, mentors and all those who offer fatherly care and guidance.

The Season of Creation and Father’s Day may initially appear to be separate occasions, yet both ask us to consider the same important question: How are we caring for what has been entrusted to us?

Our school theme of Conscious Compassion calls us to make that care intentional—to notice what gives life, to recognise what is fragile and to respond with love. May we become people through whom compassion flows like living water: bringing encouragement, healing and renewed hope to our families, our community and our common home.

Prayer

Loving God, 

we thank you for the living waters that sustain our land

and for all those whose faithful love sustains our lives.

Bless our fathers and all who offer fatherly care. 

Comfort those who carry grief or absence this Father’s Day, 

and bring healing where relationships are difficult.

Teach us to care wisely for the gifts entrusted to us. 

May our words, choices and actions 

become streams of compassion, 

bringing life and hope wherever they flow.

Amen.

Jesus light of the world, guide us

St Joseph, journey with us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us

Alison Wright

Director of Faith and Mission