Catholic Identity

Catholic Identity Leader: Mrs Elizabeth Holligan

Reflection, Friday 5 September

Across the Sandhurst Diocese this week and across the world, we begin to celebrate the Season of Creation. Together with the world’s 2.2 billion Christians, we are invited to pray and care for creation. The theme this year is ‘Peace with Creation’. 

The scriptures this Sunday remind us that our lives include seasons just as nature does. With the passing of time we grow, spread our wings, develop wisdom, celebrate life, and eventually look to life with our God in eternity. The scripture also reminds us that we are living as part of creation, created in the image and likeness of God. God has created us. We are precious, as are our human relationships and our relationships with the world around us.  We are asked this week to consider our relationships. Do our relationships with those around us and with the world around us bring hope and new life? Are we caring for creation? Are we at ‘Peace with Creation’?

We pray:

Lord of creation, allow our eyes to see the beauty of creation, in flowers, creatures, forests, and critters. Allow our ears to listen to those in need. Allow our voices to speak out for justice when we see the earth and people mistreated. Allow our hands to care for the earth every day. Allow our feet to take your message out to the world. 

We ask this in your name. Amen

May the Peace of Christ be with you and your families this term.

Elizabeth Holligan – Catholic Identity Leader

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St Vincent de Paul call for assistance this winter 

Thank you to our families who have donated for this cause. We will collect these items for the remainder of Term 3. 

The Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul Conference is seeking assistance this winter as they prepare food bags for rough sleepers and other homeless people. If you are able to assist, please send the following items to St Anne’s College and we will forward them on to St Vincent de Paul Shepparton South Conference. As these items are provided to homeless people and rough sleepers, small packages are appreciated rather than bulk items (1 litre milk rather than 2 litre, 400g tins, rather than 800g) as they are then easier for people to take with them. Usually items are packaged into one shopping bag.

Any of the following donations will be greatly appreciated:

• UHT milk -no larger than 1 litre 
• Cereal (only small items please)
• Tinned spaghetti, baked beans, soup (usually of the chunkier varieties)
• Two minute noodles
• Peanut butter/Vegemite
• Salada biscuits (or other kinds that can be a bread substitute)
• Sweet biscuits
• Instant rice or instant pasta packets
• Canned fruit 
• Coffee and Tea

Sacramental Program

The parent information session for the 2025-2026 St Mel’s Parish Steps in Faith Sacramental Program for Reconciliation – Confirmation – First Eucharist, was held on Thursday 4 September at St Mel’s Parish House Gathering Room. If you missed the information session and would like your child to take part in the current Sacramental Program, please contact the parish on 5831 2194.

May the Peace of Christ be with you and your families this term.

Elizabeth Holligan – Catholic Identity Leader