Catholic Earthcare Australia in partnership with the Diocese of Paramatta, Jesuits Australia and the Campion Centre for Ignatian Spirituality are coordinating a list of activities to celebrate Laudato Si’ week from May 16-24, marking the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical.

Much has been written in recent months about COVID-19, its significance and possible lasting impact. It’s exercised the mind and ‘pen’ of not just journalists and commentators, but also sociologists, economists, politicians and theologians. As we start to emerge from the strict lockdowns and restrictions, it’s appropriate to pause and reflect on the lessons of this most peculiar and anxious time, writes CRA President, Br Peter Carroll FMS.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that: ”The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual” (CCC 362). This means that we are comprised of both the physical aspects as biological beings and the spiritual, which is God’s Spirit in us from the moment we were conceived, and which returns to God when we die, writes Sr Margaret Scharf OP in The Record.

Sr Christine Marie Ramada, of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, works as a Wellbeing Counsellor for Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) and says she is passionate about helping young people to realise their God-given potential.

Vietnamese Salvatorian deacon Paul Tran Van Duong was meant to be ordained in the Philippines in April, but the COVID-19 restrictions put an end to that. Instead, Fr Paul was ordained in the Diocese of Broken Bay, where he has been serving.