Grace, mercy, and peace to you!
1 Timothy 1:2
August 31, 2020
Dear Friends,
Tomorrow begins a new month, and a month-long, worldwide focus on caring for creation. Known as the Season of Creation, this initiative has become an ecumenical effort of prayer and effort dedicated to living in harmony with the natural order of the world. Christian churches throughout the world have participated in this since 1989, when the Orthodox churches began promoting the month of September as a time to renew our commitment to being good stewards of all creation. In 2015, Pope Francis formally recognized the Catholic Church’s inclusion in this group of churches. Since then, Catholic parishes and institutions have been joining in shared prayer, reflection, discernment, and commitment to renewing our role in stewarding the goods of creation God has handed over to us.
In a recent statement, Pope Francis spoke about the Season of Creation initiative:
“We were created not to be tyrants, but to be at the heart of a network of life made up of millions of species lovingly joined together for us by our Creator. Now is the time to rediscover our vocation as children of God, brothers and sisters, and stewards of creation…For this reason, I strongly encourage the faithful to pray in these days that, as the result of a timely ecumenical initiative, are being celebrated as a Season of Creation. This season of increased prayer and effort on behalf of our common home begins 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.”
The Pope went on to set forth a 3-part spiritual exercise of prayer, examination, and restorative action that anyone can undertake. To further the Pope’s initiative, I propose that all of us participate in this exercise between now and the Feast of St Francis on October 4. To that end, we can all join in to some degree in this shared process of formation. You may be interested in participating in one, several, or all these activities:
I hope you will share with me in this magnificent source of spiritual renewal and commitment to become better, faithful stewards of God’s great creation.
With blessings and peace to you,
Fr. Joe