The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment. The theme for the Season of Creation 2022 is “Listen to the Voice of Creation”.
The Season of Creation calls us to listen to the voice of creation, to the voices of those who suffer the impacts of climate change, to the voices of those who hold generational wisdom about how to live gratefully within the limits of the land. These are voices of the Earth. The global Christian family is called to awaken to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and with each other and to encourage our parish communities to do the same, “for we know that things can change!” (Laudato Si’, 13).
To get you started download the below suggested list of practical actions for parishes and homes
To find out more about the season of creation and the resources that are available for use in home and parish please visit catholicbishops.ie
This year marks 7 years of the publication of Laudato Si and this October sees the launch of a powerful Laudato Si Movie – The Invitation. Parishes across the world are being invited to host screenings of the movie and we very much hope that a number of parishes in the diocese will take up this offer. More details on this to come.
As Parish Pastoral Council’s (PPC’s) resume after the summer, care of our common home may be something they or a subgroup of the PPC would consider addressing. If parishes need support in exploring this important aspect of our Christian faith, help is available from [email protected].