Catholic Outlook September 2015

LAUDATO SI’
Laudato Si’
Living and integrating
the new encyclical
By Sr Louise McKeogh FMA, Social Justice Coordinator
Sixty people from across the Diocese
of Parramatta gathered at Mt Druitt
last month for a public forum on
Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si’ –
‘Praise be to you’.
The day, entitled ‘Pope Francis has
written you a letter’, was hosted by
Australian Religious Response to Climate
Change at Loyola Senior High on 15
August.
Fr Gregory Jacobs SJ from Holy
Family Parish, Emerton, began the day by
providing context and background to Pope
Francis’ spirituality, formation and life as a
Jesuit.
Challenging us to hear both the cry
of the poor and the cry of the earth,
Dr Hamish Clarke, senior climate and
atmospheric scientist from NSW Office
of Development and Heritage, provided a
local perspective by raising our awareness
of the statistics and records of our local and
changing climate.
He said technology was accurate
enough and detailed enough to provide
local facts and statistics on the Mt Druitt
and Parramatta regions.
Prof Neil Ormerod Professor of
Theology at Australian Catholic University,
gave an overview of Laudato Si’ and the
spiritual and theological content.
He highlighted the significant
contribution that this encyclical would
now play in the Church’s long tradition of
Catholic Social Teaching. Laudato Si’ is
unique in its significance and focus on both
creation and human ecology.
Prof Ormerod outlined the framework
and background of the encyclical with its
starting point being the prayer of St Francis
– Praise to You Lord.
The day was an interactive experience
as participants watched two videos on the
effect of climate change on the poor in
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Discussion groups provided an
opportunity for each person to share both
their experience of caring for creation
and Laudato Si’s clear theology. The same
applied to the input from Dr Clarke.
Discussion continued around caring
for creation as a family and at local levels,
as well as our concerns and hopes for our
world.
Although a challenging and daunting
issue, the discussion in small groups led
us to have hope for action and make
small changes together, as the encyclical
highlights all of creation is interconnected.
Lunch provided time for continued
lively discussion and supporting a sound
human ecology. Hospitality students from
Loyola Senior High fulfilled an assessment
requirement, providing us with a threecourse
seated lunch.
We can all affirm the skill, competence
and warmth of the Loyola students.
Participants were informed and
enthused by the day as they shared the
following comments and feedback:
“I never realised there were so many
active Catholics on a topic very dear to my
heart. Good to know that the environment
is a focus of Catholic teaching.”
Another participant commented on
their highlight:
“All sessions were both interesting and
informative. Prof Ormerod’s session was
a centrepiece, but extremely thorough
and made the theology clear. The same
applies to the session by Dr Hamish Clarke.
The input was excellent – moving and
informative.”
Perhaps the thoughts of this participant
sum up the day:
“The information was excellent, sharing
was inspirational, the spirit is moving and I
will listen.”
The much-anticipated Laudato Si’ was considered by many to be the strongest pontifical action on the
environment and climate change yet.
A diversity of perspectives
The first comprehensive response of its
kind to Pope Francis’ encyclical on
the environment has been developed
by three Catholic agencies with the aim of
informing Catholic leaders on the latest
teachings of the Church.
The Francis Effect II: Praised Be You
– On Care for our Common Home was
developed collaboratively by Catholic
Religious Australia, Catholic Earthcare
Australia and Catholic Mission.
Catholic Mission’s Deputy National
Director and co-editor, Peter Gates, said
the diversity of perspectives was what made
The Francis Effect II so compelling.
“All of the chapters in The Francis
Effect II are contributed by authors who
understand the relationship between
nature, people and God, and the
interconnectedness of creation,” Peter said.
Among the 14 individual contributors
are renowned Catholic leaders, including
eco-theologian Prof Denis Edwards,
Director of Catholic Earthcare Jacqui
Rémond, National Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council
Chairperson Thelma Parker, and Lend
Lease National Sustainability Manager
Building, Ann Austin.
Jacqui Rémond, who also co-edited
the book, said its chapters drew on the
teachings of Laudato Si’ and offered critical
reflections with insightful perspectives
from Indigenous peoples, youth, health
and aged care, social services, education,
parish life, family, business, governance,
and theology.
The much-anticipated Laudato Si’ was
considered by many to be the strongest
pontifical action on the environment and
climate change yet.
The Francis Effect II, with its expert
analysis, allows readers to explore
the themes of the encyclical and its
implications for the local Australian and
global communities.
The book is the second release in the
series, following The Francis Effect: Living
the Joy of the Gospel – the first worldwide
response to Pope Francis’ 2013 exhortation
Evangelii Gaudium.
The Francis Effect II Colloquium
The colloquium will assist participants
to explore this vision, offering inspiration
and practical ideas for caring for our
common home.
Tuesday 27 October from 8.30am-4pm
at Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, 4-28
John St, Lidcombe.
Cost $195 (concession $95). Contact
Anita Lee, Catholic Mission, tel (02) 9919
7800 or alee@catholicmission.org.au
The Francis Effect II can be purchased
and read online at www.shop.cm.org.au For
more information on The Francis Effect II:
Praised Be You – On Care for our Common
Home, or the colloquium, visit www.
thefranciseffectii.com.
Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy
Penrose Park
Fatima Day: Sunday, September 13
Main Celebrant: Fr Stephen Onyekwere
Assistant Priest Of St. Patrick’s Parish, Albury
Divine Mercy Devotions
First Sunday of the Month
Fatima Family Sunday: September 20
Thank you!
91561 NSW Diploma of Ageing
and Pastoral Care
For further information contact:
Holy Family Services
Registered Training Organisation
Tel (02) 9678 8200
email: educator@holyfamilyservices.com.au
www.holyfamilyservices.com.au
91448NSW
The Pauline Fathers and Brothers of Penrose Park would like to thank all our
pilgrims for their help and support over the past years. The first section of the
building project (i.e. the toilet blocks) is well underway, the work will continue in
approx. 1 months. We thank you for your continuing material help and prayers
to continue the building of our Pilgrim Hall. May God abundantly bless you all!
Pauline Father’s Monastery
Address: 120 Hanging Rock Road, Berrima, NSW, 2577
Phone: 02 4878 9192 Fax: 02 4878 9351
Email: paulinefathers@yahoo.com.au Website: www.penrosepark.com.au
22 CatholicOutlook | SEPTEMBER 2015
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