FROM THE APRIM
Dear Families,
I am writing this article just before I leave with a group of Spirit Team Leaders to take our second run of donations to St Vinnies in Christies Beach. I am always amazed at how big the St Joseph’s heart is! We are going to struggle to fit all your donations into one car!
TUESDAY AFTERNOON PRAYER
It has been wonderful to see so many of you join us for Tuesday Afternoon Prayer at 2:45pm. I would like to extend the invite to all of you again... the more, the merrier!
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM DATES
The final Sunday Workshop is on Sunday 17th September at 3:00pm.
The Sacrament of First Holy Communion Ceremony is on Sunday the 29th October at 10:30am.
SEASON OF CREATION
Today marks the opening of the Season of Creation in the Catholic Church. This year’s theme is: Let Justice and Peace Flow. 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.
As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.
Prophet Isaiah proclaims: “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43: 19) Biodiversity is being lost at a rate not seen since the last mass extinction. The futures of young people are threatened by the cascading impacts of the loss of biodiversity and a changing climate.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. As we join the river of justice and peace with others then hope is created instead of despair.
Let us offer this prayer:
A Prayer for Our Earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
AMEN
Blessings,
Christine Farrugia | APRIM