40 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2025 The Diocesan Chancery launched its Laudato Si’ Action Plan on 16 May 2025, on the eve of Laudato Si’ Week. The plan outlines concrete steps for the Chancery and its operations to take towards the seven Laudato Si’ Goals. This action plan is the culmination of dedicated work by the Sandhurst Care for Creation Team, developed in close consultation with Chancery staff. It aligns with the Seven Laudato Si’ Goals, the Australian Catholic Bishops’ 2021–22 Social Justice Statement, ‘Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor,’ and Decree 8 of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, which calls for deep ecological conversion and action across all aspects of Church life. Using the Catholic Earthcare framework, the Care for Creation Team followed a step-by-step guide to audit current practices and identify pathways for change. As part of this process, all Chancery staff actively participated in two reflective audit sessions, examining their work through a Laudato Si’ lens, identifying opportunities for sustainability and care for creation within their roles. The Diocese’s commitment to Laudato Si’ action began in November 2021, when then Bishop Shane Mackinlay registered Sandhurst on the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. This commitment was publicly celebrated in May 2022 on the banks of Broken Creek in Nathalia, symbolising a deep connection to local ecology and the shared global mission of caring for our common home. Kerry Stone, Sandhurst Caritas and Social Justice Coordinator, said: “This Action Plan is an important step forward in embedding Laudato Si’ into the day-to-day life of our Diocese. By engaging Chancery staff and aligning with national and global Church commitments, we are responding meaningfully to Pope Francis’ call to ecological conversion.” The Diocese hopes this will encourage Sandhurst parishes to continue with their Catholic Earthcare journey and commit to a Laudato Si’ Action Plan. The Catholic Earthcare framework outlines a series of practical actions in areas such as energy use, procurement, waste reduction, ethical investment and ecological education. It serves as a model for how Church institutions can live out the message of Laudato Si’ in both spirit and practice in an Australian context. Laudato Si’ Week (16–24 May 2025, Australia) In Australia, Laudato Si’ Week is celebrated earlier than the global dates to align with National Reconciliation Week. The week honours Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, calling Catholics to care for creation and the poor, combining prayer, reflection, education and action, and reminding us that safeguarding our common home is an ongoing responsibility. Earthcare Parishes Of the 38 parishes in the Diocese, eighteen have registered as Earthcare parishes. Of these eighteen Earthcare Parishes, seven have completed the Audit, and one has already submitted a Laudato Si’ Plan. Laudato Si’ Diocesan Laudato Si’ Action Plan
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