Creation Care Ministry
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
"This is the season for letting our prayer life be inspired anew... to reflect on our lifestyles, to undertake prophetic acts of creation. It is a time to call for courageous decisions and direct the planet toward life, not death."
As we enter the ecumenical Season of Creation tomorrow until October 4, we reflect on the words of Pope Francis from last year, which seem even more relevant today and in this jubilee year for the earth. Now more than ever we need to come together as one global Christian family for justice.
What courageous prayer and action can we do in these next 5 weeks to give thanks to God and work to heal relationships between each other and the earth? How do the actions in our daily lives have an impact on others, especially the most vulnerable?
Join us this Season of Creation by participating in our Tree & Flower Extravaganza and one or all of the 10 Ways to Pray, Reflect, and Act this Season of Creation. We invite you on a journey to learn something new, take that small step you have been contemplating, and find God's will for living well so every creature on earth can flourish.
With you in this time of restoration, hope, and jubilee for our Earth,
All of us on the Creation Care Commission
This year's theme "Jubilee for the Earth" is rich in biblical tradition. Explore the topic and background on the Season of Creation on our blog.
10 Ways to Pray, Reflect, and Act this Season of Creation
1. Join others in a moment of prayer - tomorrow on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation or other times throughout the Season. (Holy Spirit - Tuesday Sept 1 at 7pm, online/in-person; Ecumenism Metro Chicago - online September 6; September 17 @ 5pm via Facebook at Sisters of St. Benedict – Our Lady of Grace - online September 17 @ 5:15pm).
2. Pray the Novena to St. Francis for the 9 days at the beginning or end of the Season of Creation.
3. Talk with your priest, music director, and/or liturgy coordinator about ways to incorporate the Season of Creation in Sunday Mass. Use this amazing guide from LISTEN for ideas and suggestions.
4. Find a space to reflect outside with the USCCB's Laudato Si' Anniversary Card (tambien en español) or the 2020 Season of Creation Prayer. (Stay tuned for our guide to outdoor sacred spaces in the Archdiocese).
5. Study Laudato Si'. Take the Laudato Si' mini-course by the SDG academy or gather in a small group and study Laudato Si' using this colorful guide from CAFOD.
6. Participate in a webinar with people of other countries and faiths. Find events at SeasonofCreation.org/events or our list of webinars.
7. Google "Environmental Justice" and pick a topic that interests you for a deep-dive. Reflect on an action you can take in your community that directly impacts the poor.
8. Pick one day each week with your family or small group to pray and take action on one of the Laudato Si' Goals using our Called to Justice and Peace guide / Llamdo a la justicia y la paz.
9. Take time for 5: Find 5 things you can do in your house to reduce plastic use; make 5 new plant based recipes; take a 5 minute walk in your community and listen to the sounds of creation.
10. Encourage younger generations to be excited about Creation Care - roll The Earth Cube, read a story, watch the Laudato Si' for Kids video together.
You can register your participation in the Season of Creation with the world's 2.2 billion Christians on the Season of Creation website!
Season of Creation Tree & Flower Extravaganza
Orders due next Tuesday September 8th!
Did you know? Planting trees is great for reducing carbon dioxide in the air, for creating spaces of peace and beauty in our communities, and for attracting many forms of wildlife.
Join us this year on our question to plant 500 native trees! We are blessed to be able to distribute high quality native trees from the Indiana nursery Woody Warehouse for fall tree planting. Retail prices of these are upwards of $30, but with generous support from the Catholic Climate Covenant, we are offering 4 different species for a donation of $20 per tree and will deliver throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Wildflower seeds are also available.
Join us this year on our question to plant 500 native trees! We are blessed to be able to distribute high quality native trees from the Indiana nursery Woody Warehouse for fall tree planting. Retail prices of these are upwards of $30, but with generous support from the Catholic Climate Covenant, we are offering 4 different species for a donation of $20 per tree and will deliver throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Wildflower seeds are also available.
We encourage you to make prayer and contemplation of your relationship with the Creator a part of your tree planting experience! Visit OurCommonHome.org for tree planting and prayer service ideas.
Order online or mail in your form. Anyone is welcome to participate!
If you have any questions, please contact us at mail@ourcommonhome.org or connect on Facebook.
Subscribe here or text creationcare to 84576
The ArchIndy Creation Care Ministry is a pastoral ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.