✝️Faith and Mission

Pope Marks World Earth Day with A Plea for Bold Action

23 April 2024 - Source: Vatican News

Marking World Earth Day, Pope Francis reiterated his urgent plea for bold action for “our common home” and world peace.

The International Day was established in 1970 to raise awareness about the critical environmental challenges facing the planet and to mobilise efforts to address them.

The observance provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, organisations and governments to come together and engage in activities to repair and heal ecosystems, combat climate change and preserve biodiversity, so as to preserve the planet for future generations.

In a post on his X social media platform (formerly known as Twitter), Pope Francis noted that his generation has bequeathed many monetary riches to later generations, but has done little to protect the planet.

He also commented on the link between current environmental problems and the many conflicts raging throughout the world.

“Our generation has bequeathed many riches, but we have failed to protect the planet and we are not safeguarding peace. We are called to become artisans and caretakers of our common home, the Earth which is “falling into ruin”. #EarthDay”

The Pope’s post echoed his words in the 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home and its call for individuals, communities and governments to care for nature.

Each year, Earth Day has a specific theme to draw global attention to pressing environmental issues. Under the banner “Planet vs. Plastics,” this 54th edition is focused on plastic pollution and the urgent need to reduce its use and production.

Beyond its environmental implications, the proliferation of plastics poses a significant threat to human health, akin to the challenges posed by climate change.

Humans produce over 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, which is roughly the weight of all human beings on the planet.

Only 9 per cent gets recycled, and about 22 per cent of plastic waste worldwide is either not collected, improperly disposed of, or ends up as litter.

2024 Winter Appeal

This year Young Vinnies are running our Mazenod Winter Appeal during Weeks 2 - 4 of this term. Please give generously, by donating items to your Form Room. This year we are supporting The Shopfront in Bentley, to ensure that what we collect goes to those in need.

Below is a list of needed goods. Please ensure that all non-perishable food is still in the use-by-date. Any expired food will not be able to be used and will have to be disposed of by the College.

Hamper List

Food Items

Non-Food Items

Bangladesh Visit

During the recent school holidays, I had the privilege to visit the Oblates in Bangladesh and India, with Fr Joe Antony OMI and two other staff from Iona College Brisbane. The purpose of the visit was to study, explore and experience the Oblates’ missions, and then plan out for the recommencement of the students’ immersion program in 2025 to the Bangladesh Delegation and the Indian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The last time the College was able to send students overseas on Immersion was in October and December 2019 to China and India.

In Bangladesh we were hosted by the Oblate Delegation Superior, Fr Ajit Victor Costa OMI. Fr Ajit was a wonderful host, as were all the Oblates of Bangladesh. He planned out a 5-day program across Bangladesh to meet the Oblates and to experience their work with the people. During our visit, we went to four Oblate schools and several parishes.

At St Eugene’s School Baridhara and St Eugene’s Mission School Khadim we were warmly welcomed by the Oblates, students, staff and parents by speeches, singing and dancing. This was despite the students and teachers being on holiday themselves. A highlight was also meeting Mother Teresa’s sisters, who work very closely with the Oblates in Bangladesh in parallel ministries.

After visiting the schools in the north of the country, we returned to the capital, Dhaka. We met with the seminarians in the Juniorate and farewelled and thanked our Oblate hosts, before leaving for the airport to India for the second leg of our journey.

Mother's Day Mass Invitation

🌸Friday, 3 May at 8:10 am🏵️

🏵️In the College Chapel🌸

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

All mothers and grandmothers are invited to this year’s Mother’s Day Mass.

Term 2 Chapel Flower Roster

Descend Into the Heart

The quiet repetition of a single word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart. This repetition has nothing to do with magic. It’s not meant to throw a spell on God or to force him into hearing us. On the contrary, a word or sentence repeated frequently can help us to concentrate, to move to the centre, to create an inner stillness, and thus to listen to the voice of God. 

When we simply try to sit silently and wait for God to speak to us, we find ourselves bombarded with endless conflicting thoughts and ideas. But when we use a very simple sentence such as “O God, come to my assistance,” or “Jesus, master, have mercy on me,” or a word such as “Lord” or “Jesus” it is easier to let the many distractions pass by without being misled by them. 

Such a simple, easily repeated prayer can slowly empty our crowded interior life and create a quiet space where we can dwell with God. It can be like a ladder along which we can descend into the heart and ascend to God.

Text excerpt taken from "You are the Beloved" by Henri J.M. Nouwen.

Damian Wallis

Director of Faith and Mission