Catholic Outlook Magazine Autumn 2021

Looks
Nurture your green heart
You may have heard of Laudato Si’, the letter Pope Francis wrote about the
need for us to protect our planet and each other. 24 May marks six years
since its launch.
Here’s a reflection from the Jesuits to help nurture your ‘green heart’. You’ll
find it at ecologicalexamen.org.
Gratitude: I give thanks to God and for being wonderfully made.
Awareness: I ask for the grace to see creation as God does in all its
splendour and suffering.
Understanding: I ask for the grace to see how my life choices impact
creation and the poor and vulnerable.
Conversion: I ask for the grace of conversion towards ecological justice
and reconciliation (I pray for help with amending my ways).
Plan for National
Reconciliation Week
Consider the role you play in
the Reconciliation journey for all
Australians. National Reconciliation
Week starts with National Sorry
Day on May 26. The National
Reconciliation website has lots
of information on how you can
plan for the day, like hosting a
screening from the Reconciliation
Film Club on SBS. Find the links at
reconciliation.org.au.
Reconciliation: I ask for the grace to reconcile my relationship with God,
creation, and humanity, and to stand in solidarity through my actions (I pray
about actions I can take).
Use prayer for change
Each month, Pope Francis asks us to pray together on certain topics. It’s
one way we can unite and be part of building a more humane and caring
world. See the Pope’s Prayer intentions at popesprayer.va or watch them on
thepopevideo.org.
March: Let us pray that we may experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation
with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.
April: We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights
under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.
May: Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments
to regulate financial markets and protect citizens from its dangers.
8