Pauline Hannon IJS on behalf of Care for the Earth Team sent us this report:
In our planning for the Season of Creation 2025, we were keen to present a blend of solid ecological education with spirituality. Our Care for the Earth team activities began on the first Sunday in September, with an opening ritual at the beginning of each of the four masses, carrying first the Season of Creation poster. Accompanying the poster was an explanation of the symbolism, which is characterised by a dove carrying an olive branch that gives life and hope to the world. The tree, at the heart of the poster, symbolised a world of two halves. Following that, a creation candle was carried up symbolising the light of peace, justice, and love for a world in pain.
We invited each one to bring some aspect of creation to the focus area in the three churches in our parish, throughout September. In one church, children brought up leaves, twigs, and seeds regularly making it become a living focus for all gathered. Having reviewed last year’s events, we became aware of trying to make the sessions more accessible, so we had two venues each week repeating the same topic in each.
Biodiversity is an ongoing topic each year with a different focus. This year we explored native woodland trees in the North West using a short YouTube presentation by Angus Kennedy. We actually looked closely at the Sessile Oak tree and the life in that tree and surrounding woodland. We focused on the squirrel and jay and their role in burying acorns, which when forgotten, grow into mature oak trees. We also explained how fungi grows through dead branches making it accessible to centipedes, millipedes, and woodlice to do their work of breaking everything down and creating earth/soil in the process. These creatures do the same with leaves.
Woodland birds were explored by the use of PowerPoint: the woodpecker, robin, thrush, blackbird etc. These birds find shelter in the cavities of trees around them. Foxes, pine martins, bees, ladybirds etc were also mentioned. They all have a part or role to play to help maintain a balance within nature.
We too burst into song! We shared responses to what we were seeing and hearing, to what was stirring within ourselves. The following quotation led us to the heart of ecological spirituality.
‘The universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. Hence there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dew drop, in a poor person’s face.’ LS 233
All of our sessions concluded with song, prayer, and moments of silence giving thanks for the wonder of creation and what actions we could take to ensure creation can, once more, team with life and love and we can once again ‘sense each creature singing the hymn of its existence’ LS 85
Our group work was lively and animated resulting in an enthusiastic response. In Laudato Si, Pope Francis reminded us ‘The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless
affection for us. Soil, water, mountain: everything is as it were a caress of God.’ LS 84
The Bishops of Japan for their part made a thought-provoking statement. ‘To sense each creature singing the hymn of its existence is to live joyfully in God’s love and hope.’ LS 85
Our Circular Economy topic was enlightening and thought provoking. The aim of this model is to minimise waste or pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. It aims to design products that are durable, repairable, and recyclable. Examples given were car-sharing, tool-hiring, seed- library, clothes remodelled, hiring, exchanging, and loaning.
‘Waste is not waste until you waste it’
Pope Francis reminds us that ‘reusing something, instead of immediately discarding it, when done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which expresses our dignity.’ LS 211
Our final gathering focused on the Spirituality of St. Francis. We reflected on what we had heard about native woodlands and circular economy. We acknowledge how challenging it is to us personally and how like of St. Francis, the motivation for such actions comes from our awareness of God the Creator.
Laudato Si invites us to look at the spirituality of St. Francis. The following quotations led us to the centre of this great treasure.
‘St. Francis, faithful to scripture invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us glimpses of his infinite beauty and goodness.’ LS 12
‘Just as what happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever St. Francis would gaze at the sun, the moon, or the smallest of animals, he burst into song drawing all other creatures into his praise.’ LS 11
