RESPECT - CARE for CREATION

Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. 

The Season of Creation or ‘Creation Time’ is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). It celebrates the joy of God’s creation as well as encouraging awareness about the need to protect the natural environment. We are encouraged to deepen our relationship with God, our neighbour, and the earth we share, being ever more attentive to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

At St Mary’s we will be focusing on how we can do our part to respect and care for all aspects of creation as gifts from God (the tiniest seed, plants, animals and human beings).

Pope Francis on Caring for Our Common Home 

“We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family.”

“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish.”

“Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years.”

“We are not God. The Earth was here before us and was given to us.”

“The idea of infinite or unlimited growth, which proves so attractive to economists, financiers and experts in technology … is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods, and this leads to the planet being squeezed dry at every limit.”

“Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.”

 (why not spend a moment every day appreciating and giving thanks for creation).

Father, Lord of all creation,

we praise you with all your creatures

and the whole universe that comes forth from the work of Your hands.

We acknowledge the privilege and responsibility

that You give us as stewards of Your creation.

In our ignorance we have done damage to our common home

and our brothers and sisters are suffering.

Through faithfully following your Son

guide and direct us to prepare for a better future.

Teach us to contemplate You in the beauty of the universe,

for all things speak of You.

Give us the grace to recognise, respect and protect

all You have created, using wisely all that You have entrusted to us.

Holy Spirit,

who first hovered over the dawn of creation and drew order out of the chaos

help us to build your kingdom of justice, love, peace and beauty

where the poor of the earth are crying out.

You, who live and reign, world without end,

Amen

St Mary’s Primary School Mini Vinnies

Jesus tells us to ‘Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick and visit the imprisoned.’

Thank you to all those who have helped us in our task to do as Jesus asks and reach out to the less fortunate this winter.