Garden of Life 

At the Academic Assembly last Thursday, I shared that the 2024 theme for our significant prayer services will be ‘Garden of Life’. This theme is inspired by the 2015 encyclical Laudato si' which explores the relationship between God, humans, and the environment. In particular, we would like to recapture an awareness of the interconnectedness of creation, and to develop an understanding of Eco spirituality, in our increasingly technology driven community.

At the conclusion of Laudato si', Pope Francis wrote this prayer which I shared at Assembly last week. It effectively encompasses the main ideas that we will draw on throughout the year.

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.

Mrs Sandra Freeman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Sandra_Freeman@shalomcollege.com