It has been a few weeks since the Season of Creation began, and we are delighted to share that 116 schools across Australia have registered to be part of Caritas Australia’s Catholic Earthcare Creation Changemakers campaign. Together, these schools are showing us how small steps can create powerful change — starting with a simple garden.Â
At Irene McCormack Catholic College, students and teachers have come together to design and build their very own Garden of Peace. This sacred space has become a place of reflection, prayer, and community connection. Students shared how creating the garden has helped them see creation in a new light, inspiring them to care more deeply for the environment and each other.Â
This campaign has also received strong encouragement from Church leaders. Bishop Timothy Harris, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, said:
'The Season of Creation offers us all a wonderful opportunity to pray and care for creation. This year Caritas Australia's Catholic Earthcare program has launched the Creation Changemakers campaign, encouraging school communities to create a garden of peace.'
'In a time when all of creation is calling for peace, I hope school communities around Australia will consider how they can be "changemakers", starting with establishing gardens of peace; sacred spaces to pray and act with creation. Let us turn our hearts and minds to the beauty of God's gift and respond with hope and care,' Bishop Harris said.
Students plant with purpose to care for the Earth and grow a greener future. Photo: Irene McCormack Catholic College.
The Season of Creation runs from 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, until 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This year also marks the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis, a beautiful reminder that all of creation reflects the goodness of God.
We look forward to sharing more stories of schools across Australia, as they create their own Gardens of Peace. Together, these Creation Changemakers are showing us how faith, action, and community can nurture hope for a better future.
