Season of Creation 2023
Our Chapter Statement commits us to respond to the "cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor" (Laudato Si' #49)
Date Posted:
30-Aug-2023
Hardy, drought tolerant water-wise Australian spring garden
"In this 135th year of the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta, we recognise that we are participants and co-creators with the Divine in the ongoing story of the evolving Universe." (Chapter Statement)
The first day of Spring in Australia, 1 September, is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and marks the beginning of the Season of Creation (1September-4 October) . As temperatures begin to rise, days grow longer, and the natural world wakes up and revives after lying dormant, we are each challenged to reflect on our lifestyle, especially in light of the social and environmental crises that impact our world.
"Let Justice and Peace Flow" is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation.
In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Pope Francis calls on us to to heal our common home "so that it can once again teem with life". We can do this he says "by resolving to transform our hearts, our lifestyles, and the public policies ruling our societies". In parallel with this, the Pope says, is "the Catholic Church’s commitment to synodality....In the same way that a river gives life to all kinds of animal and plant life, a synodal Church must give life by sowing justice and peace in every place it reaches"
On 4 October Pope Francis will release a follow-up document to his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ in an effort to help “put an end to the senseless war against our common home”. October 4 also marks the opening of the first session of the Synod, the meeting of the universal Catholic Church, in Rome.