Faith Formation
and Mission

September is the month that Pope Francis has asked us to join him in praying for ‘the cry of the earth’.

Pope Francis's prayer intention for September is for the cry of the Earth. Pope Francis explains, "If we took the planet's temperature, it would tell us that the Earth has a fever. And it is sick, just like anyone who's sick. But are we listening to this pain?"

As part of the Season of Creation – the annual period in which the Church traditionally mobilizes itself to reflect on the care of our common home – it is a powerful call to "deal with the environmental crisis caused by humans."

Let us pray … (pause) …

Good Father, the cry of the earth strikes in the Heart of your Son Jesus, and cries out to us “I want mercy and not sacrifices”.

Our Common Home implores us a bold and radical change in our way of life.

We need courage, and a holy indignation to commit ourselves to a cultural change that welcomes the cry of the earth and the poor.

We need the fire of your Holy Spirit to burn in our hearts, to contemplate and give thanks, to welcome and to care, so that we may all feel as one in you.

May our gestures of love and care for everyone and everything, rise up to You as a universal prayer of adoration, Of thanksgiving and forgiveness.

May our daily living reflect a temperate, and modest lifestyle that moderates how excessively greedy we tend to be with the world and each other.

May we embrace this cry for help transforming it with our decisions into a loving and consoling melody. Amen

It is important to pay attention to Pope Francis's call to care for our common home. One concrete action we can take is to pack lunch in a reusable container to reduce waste.

Additionally, we can plan to use public transport or carpool instead of driving when possible to reduce our carbon footprint. We could also dedicate time to learning about the impact of rising sea levels in the Torres Strait.

These actions not only benefit the environment and community but also contribute to nurturing our relationship with God.

What steps can you take today to move closer to God?

Blessed Carlo Acutis at Mater Dei

Mater Dei Catholic College had the honour of hosting the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis on Tuesday, 10 September. This special event gave our staff and students a unique opportunity to pray, reflect, and be inspired by Carlo's works. Students had the opportunity to venerate the relic, offering personal prayers and intentions. Many expressed a deep sense of connection to Carlo and his message.

Fr. Grace and Seminarian Patrick Drum led a beautiful Adoration of the Holy Eucharist, allowing everyone to connect with Jesus Christ and experience Carlo Acutis' deep love for the Eucharist.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young Italian computer programmer and devotee of the Eucharist, is a role model for young people worldwide. His life exemplified a profound love for the Eucharist and a passion for using technology to share his faith.

The first-class relic, Carlo's hair, was brought to our Marian Centre, where students, staff, and families gathered to learn about Carlo, pray for Carlo, and spend time with the relic. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of peace and joy as we contemplated Carlo's life and witness.

Students had the opportunity to venerate the relic, offering personal prayers and intentions. Many expressed a deep sense of connection to Carlo and his message.

The relic's visit was a powerful reminder of the enduring faith of our Catholic tradition and the inspiring examples of those who have gone before us. We are deeply grateful to have had this opportunity to experience Blessed Carlo Acutis' presence and be inspired by his witness. The participation and reverence of all involved made this event truly special, and we appreciate your contribution to its success.