It was hard to imagine a better day to begin the Season of Creation.
The sun was out, the sky was blue and Huntly Streamside Reserve was looking its best as the Diocese gathered on 1 September for its fourth annual Season of Creation Mass.
Organised by the Diocesan Care for Creation Team, the Mass brought together priests, parishioners, and teachers and students from St Kilian’s, St Liborius’, St Peter’s, Holy Rosary, St Patrick’s Tongala and St Mary’s Echuca, along with secondary students from Catherine McAuley College, Marist College and Galen College in Wangaratta. The choirs from Catherine McAuley and Marist College added to the celebration.
After an Acknowledgement of Country, given by Dr Chris Cotter, Director of Mission and Pastoral Life at the Chancery. Care for Creation Team Member and Sandhurst Social Justice Coordinator, Kerry Stone, introduced the 2026 theme for the Season of Creation, ‘Living Water’, inspired by the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of life-giving water flowing from the temple to restore barren land, revive waters and heal ecosystems.
“We who receive this water are invited to become sources of life for others, allowing God’s love to flow through us for the renewal of creation,” Kerry said.
Bishop René Ramirez RCJ celebrated the Mass and used the setting to invite everyone to stop for a moment and take in what was around them.
“What can you see?” he asked. “Trees?”
“What can you hear? Birds?”
“Can you feel the wind?”
And then, came the question: “Have you ever been really thirsty?”
From there, Bishop René’ spoke about the deeper thirst we all carry – to be loved, to have friends, to know that someone cares and, ultimately, our thirst for God.
Bishop René painted a vivid picture of Kawasan Falls in Cebu, his home island in the Philippines. He shared how struck he was by the sheer power and majesty of the waterfall. But behind the impressive waterfall was something less visible: its source.
Kawasan Falls became a powerful image for Jesus’ words, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water”.
“Every river needs a source, and for us, the source is Christ,” Bishop René said.
“When we stay close to Christ, His kindness, mercy, peace and love can flow through us.”
Bishop René also reminded everyone that caring for creation goes beyond practical actions such as planting trees, saving water and recycling.
“Caring for creation begins here – in the heart.”
“Caring for creation and caring for people belong together, because God created all of it.”
Drawing on Pope Leo XIV’s message for the Season of Creation, Bishop René spoke of the need to care for the different “ecosystems” entrusted to us – the natural world, our relationships and even the ecosystem of our own hearts.
“If the heart becomes dry, the world around us can suffer too,” he said.
He invited everyone to pray: “Jesus, let your living water flow through me” – through our families, friendships, schools and parishes, and in the way we care for the earth.
The Mass concluded with a colourful reminder of the theme. Representatives from each parish and school took home four fish made by the primary school students, to create their own Living Water displays during the Season of Creation.
And there was plenty of opportunity for conversation afterwards over the barbecue.
The Diocese was also delighted by a surprise visitor – John Goonan from the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, who travelled down the night before especially to attend the Mass.
John has been involved with ErinEarth, a sustainable living education centre in Wagga Wagga, for many years and said the Season of Creation was important enough to make the trip.
He enjoyed the Mass – and the setting.
“Mass was lovely,” he said. “I heard frogs, cows, a kookaburra when it was all over.”
A pretty good soundtrack for the first day of the Season of Creation.
