This year we will unite around the theme, “Let Justice and Peace Flow”. The prophet Amos cries out, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24), and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.

“A mighty river” is the symbol chosen to go with this theme, representing biodiversity at risk. The urgency grows and we must make visible peace with Earth and on Earth, at the same time that justice calls us to repentance and a change of attitude and actions. When we join the river of justice and peace together with others, it creates hope instead of despair.

We are invited to join the river of justice and peace on behalf of all creation and to converge our individual identities, of name, family or faith community, in this greater movement for justice, just like tributaries come together to form a mighty river.  

Our individual actions during the Season of Creation are important. Celebrating creation, participating in cleanups, planting trees and reducing our carbon footprint are some of the immediate actions we can take.

Members of our Laudato Si’ Social Justice Group have already been working on implementing change and one area of action thus far in 2023 has been the planting of trees. Earlier this month our students planted bush tucker plants in Yandelora, our Reconciliation Garden. These were provided by Campbelltown Council as we registered for Schools Tree Day. Photos of our committed students are shown below. We also participated in a Wild Koala Day initiative during May this year, when students ranging from Year 7 to Year 12 volunteered an hour of their time on Sunday to help plant trees as part of a corridor for local Koalas. The location of the planting was Cook Reserve in Ruse and was organised by Campbelltown Council.

Louise Barry - Religious Studies Coordinator.