Catholic Religious Australia

07/09/2026

At Catholic Religious Australia’s National Assembly 2026, attendees heard from Robert Fitzgerald AM, Chair of Caritas Australia who were Gold Sponsors for the conference. Robert spoke of the rich heritage of Australia’s Religious Institutes, who for generations have lived out the gospel calling by serving the people of Australia through their many ministries. Robert encouraged collaboration between Catholic ministries such as Caritas Australia and Religious Institutes, so as to continue their mission and legacy as Religious life evolves into the future.

Caritas Australia

06/09/2026

Happy Father's Day to all dads, grandads, father-figures, spiritual fathers, men who are longing to be fathers and to those missing their dad today. May God bless you all.
Thanks to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth - Australia for sharing this prayer through the intercession of St Joseph (below).

Happy Father's Day to all dads.
Through the intercession of St Joseph we pray:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.

Pope Francis

03/09/2026

Heartfelt congratulations to the Diocese of Bathurst and Bishop McKenna for launching a comprehensive Diocese-wide Tree Protection Plan earlier this week, on the World Day of Prayer for Creation, 1 September 2026.

This plan will ensure that all trees on land in the care of the Diocese such as parishes, schools, presbyteries and cemeteries, cannot be unnecessarily removed or inappropriately pruned, ensuring a long life into the future. Inspired by a similar Tree Protection Plan established by the Irish Bishops Conference in 2023, this is the first of its kind to be taken up in Australia.

The plan also has a goal of increasing the tree canopy cover of this land to 30%, a target in line with what experts say will enable nature to buffer ecological challenges caused by green-house-gas emissions, providing extra benefits in times of drought, flood, fire, air pollution and increased winds.

The Diocesan Laudato Si’ Group worked with key stakeholders in the Diocese and Catholic Education to agree on a suitable plan. The launch of the plan took place at the Blayney Eco Hub, another Diocesan project inspired by Laudato Si’. Situated in the presbytery of St James’ Parish in Blayney, the Hub is a demonstration site for ecological education, spirituality and advocacy.

Congratulations to all involved!

Photo Credit: Sue Martin

02/09/2026

Some moments from our time together at the CRA National Assembly 2026.
Here are some of the faces, the conversations, and the quiet and not-so-quiet moments that made this year's Assembly what it was; friendships renewed, new connections formed, thoughtful conversations shared, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Our Adventure of Love, for the Life of the World asked something of us: to listen deeply, to speak honestly, and to leave changed. Thank you to everyone who came ready to do exactly that.

We leave Melbourne grateful, renewed and hopeful for the journey ahead.

02/09/2026

Join us to celebrate this year’s Season of Creation with an online seminar on Thursday 9 September, 1.30pm AEST, including an inspiring presentation by photographer Fiona Basile and the launch of the CRA Schools Wetland Challenge, an exciting national initiative of the CRA Integral Ecology Committee.

The CRA Schools Wetland Challenge invites schools across Australia to deepen their understanding of local wetlands and waterways, and to take practical action to care for and protect these vital ecosystems. Students will be encouraged to become citizen scientists and advocates for the natural places they love. As part of the challenge, schools within the CRA community will be invited to “adopt a wetland” — any place where water is present — and learn how to observe, protect and celebrate these important environments.

EVENT DETAILS
Date: 9 September 2026
Time: WA: 11.30am - 12.30pm | SA, NT: 1.00pm - 2.00pm | NSW, VIC, ACT, TAS, QLD: 1.30pm - 2.30pm
RSVP: https://www.catholicreligious.org.au/events/cra-integral-ecology-committee-online-seminar-living-water-launch-of-cra-schools-wetland-challenge

Corinne Fgrt Fiona Basile: Photographer & Writer Sally Neaves Catholic Earthcare Australia Caritas Australia

For more information, click here

01/09/2026

Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which also marks the start of the Season of Creation, a time of ecumenical reflection on our relationship with the environment and the care of our common home. Today’s theme, chosen by Pope Leo XIV, is, "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4), highlighting the connection between armed conflict and environmental degradation, in which war contaminates essential resources and causes food insecurity, further harming human communities. Pope Leo XIV thus calls for an interior conversion to bring us to greater love of God, one another and creation.

Laudato Si Movement
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC)

31/08/2026

🌏 Just a few days to go until the Season of Creation Gathering 2026: Listen, Reflect, Act 🌏

What does it mean to respond with hope and action in a time of ecological and social challenges?

Join us at the Season of Creation Gathering, a national online gathering to listen deeply, reflect faithfully, and act courageously in care for all creation.

The program features:
- Inspiring keynote presentations exploring faith, ecology and justice
- Practical workshops addressing today's social and environmental challenges
- Ideas and resources for action in local communities, parishes, schools and organisations

Whether you're just beginning to explore ecological justice or ready to deepen your existing commitment to caring for all creation, you'll find opportunities to learn, reflect and act.

Event details:
📅 3-4 September 2026
🕙 10.00am-4.30pm (AEST)
💻 Online
🎟️ $20 (includes both days)

Auslan interpretation will be provided for all keynote sessions.

👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/g7AY7w5M

29/08/2026

Today, the Australian Catholic Church observes Social Justice Sunday, a day to reflect on a statement released by the Bishops Conference. This year, Social Justice Sunday is focused on social cohesion, with the accompanying Social Justice Statement entitled, ‘Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division.’ At a time when growing polarisation is leading to violent rhetoric and action, the statement reminds us of humanity’s common origin, calling us to a “culture of encounter” in which we build bridges across differences and recognise the dignity of each person.

Read the Statement here:https://acbcwebsite.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/Articles/Documents/ACBC/ACBC+Social+Justice+Statement+-+August+2026.pdf

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

26/08/2026

In the present context of growing antisemitism and islamophobia, of misinformation and disinformation, the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations are hosting an event entitled "Window on the World's Religions" in Blacktown (Sydney). The Centre advises that it will present accurate information on Judaism and Islam provided by Jewish and Muslim experts. There will also be ample time for reflecting and sharing.

When: Thursday 27 August 2026
Time: 6.00pm – 9.15pm AEST
Where: Bishop Bede Heather Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown NSW 214

Register now at https://events.humanitix.com/window-on-the-worlds-religions-2026 as seats are limited.

22/08/2026

Today is the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Aid to the Church in Need’s ‘Religious Freedom in the World Report 2025’ found that there have been grave violations of religious freedom in 62 countries, affecting nearly 5.4 billion people. These violations can comprise overt violence, including killings, imprisonment, and the destruction or confiscation of places of worship. More discreet forms have included bureaucratic hurdles, censorship, bans on religious education, and social discrimination. These abuses can arise from religious or anti-religious extremism, authoritarian regimes, ethno-religious nationalism, or organised crime. Religious freedom is a human right, and CRA encourages everyone to play their part in denouncing violations and standing with those who suffer for their faith.

Read more in the Religious Freedom in the World Report:https://d1jpo8rtg1c7nb.cloudfront.net/fileman/690c38b5741d8-Executive%20Summary%20Relgiious%20Freedom%20Report%202025.pdf