From the Irish Catholic Bishops
“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.
This year’s theme is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” taking inspiration from the Prophet Amos who declares: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24). And so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.”
Listening
Catholic Social Teaching: God’s Creation Sons of Ignatius Podcast - Fr Dave and Fr Niall catch up after Easter and dive into Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the care of creation. If we are going to be disciples that care for the Earth, then we need to see clearly, judge wisely, and act justly.
The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go Catholic Stuff You Should Know Podcast - The Spirituality of John Muir
Day 48: Creation in Order Catechism in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) Podcast - God created all of the visible world in richness, diversity, and order, and everything owes its existence to God. Because all of creation comes from God, every creature has its own goodness and perfection. God created wills the interdependence of all creatures, all of creation is placed under the dominion of human beings. God gave us the world for our use, but not for our abuse. Man, made in the image and likeness of God, is the summit of the Creator’s work, and we are charged with caring for the natural world and all of its creatures. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 337-343
Reading
Laudato Si’ Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father Francis on Care for our Common Home
The Parish as Oasis: An Introduction to Practical Environmental Care by Kevin Hargaden and Ciara Murphy A practical and accessible introduction to how local churches can contribute to healing the environmental crisis. By focussing on practical ‘experiments’ that any parish can explore according to their own context and capacities, this book seeks to equip people with a hands-on understanding of the ideas unpacked in Laudato Si’. It is a book that aspires to inspire congregations to get their hands dirty, but also plants those initiatives within a coherent eco-theology.
Creation Walk: The Amazing Story of a Small Blue Planet by Fr Brian Grogan SJ This book offers a unique presentation of the unfolding of our universe. It interweaves the insights of contemporary science with Christian faith, and reveals the divine orchestration of the Creation Story in a dramatic, fresh and appealing way.
Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth by Ilia Delip, OSF, Keith Douglass Warner, OFM, and Pamela Wood Three of the greatest minds in Franciscan theology come together to discuss one of the greatest crises of our time--the destruction of the Earth. This book takes both a theological and practical approach to developing a Franciscan spirituality of the earth. Four sections highlight the distinct relationships creation has with the world: incarnation, community, contemplation and conversion. In this meticulously researched book, the authors propose ways in which we can all understand our own roles in relationship to the Earth and ways in which we can make it better.
Events
Celia Deane-Drummond, director of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute and senior research fellow in theology at Campion Hall, University of Oxford, will be giving. lecture at the Notre Dame Newman Centre for Faith and Reason (87b St Stephen's Green, Dublin) on Wednesday 21 November. This event is free and open to the public!