Knowledge
We continue in the Season of Creation with the theme Let Justice and Peace Flow. It is a time to pause and find anew our purpose for the work of caring for creation. We will center prayer in our journey to continue developing an eco-spirituality.
Join the sisters in the Health Center in praying a rosary of creation wherever you are, each Monday afternoon. Also, the prayer provided here is for your use this week.
The Season of Creation is being celebrated around the world. Below is information provided by the Laudato Si’ Movement:
In Korea they began with a mass and a march in the streets; bishops from different countries such as Myanmar, Spain, United States, Brazil and Mexico, celebrated masses and sent messages to their communities; also the seminarians of the Philippines joined in prayer and in Brazil the news reached the airwaves. In Argentina and Honduras they celebrated Masses for Creation and in Kenya they also participated in the march for the African People. In Hong Kong, for the first time, the diocese embraced the celebration of the Season of Creation, making a special exhibition of The Letter.
Prayer
'All powerful God, you are present in the universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with your peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle, for justice, love and peace.
A Prayer for Our Earth was published in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. It is for all who believe in God who is the all-powerful Creator.
Action
The Catholic Climate Covenant has released a Season of Creation Call to Action. They are calling Catholics in the US to ask the Biden Administration to forgive the debt of developing nations and stop fossil fuel expansion at COP 28.
For your action in the second week of the Season, consider solo or group prayer at an ecologically impacted or important place near you. It does not have to be a formal affair. Take a photo of the place and group gathered and post it to social media. Tag President Biden, Special Envoy Kerry, and Secretary Yellen (more details and links here), and let them know we are #PrayingForYou to take strong action on fossil fuels and debt relief.
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”Courage! The more crosses you have, the more your soul will grow. Let the good God act.” - St. Julie Billiart