St. Joan of Arc
Creation Care Ministry
Season of Creation
The ecumenical Season of Creation runs from September 1st, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and invites Christians around the world to pray and care for creation.
The 2024 theme “To hope and act with Creation” and symbol “The firstfruits of hope” are inspired by St Paul's Letter to the Romans (8:19-25). “Creation is groaning” (Romans 8:22). Humanity’s unsustainable use of the goods of creation has led to climate change, biodiversity loss, and increased human suffering and despair. In response, “we are called to lift the hope inspired by our faith, the hope of the resurrection. This is not a hope without action but one embodied in concrete actions of prayer and preaching, service and solidarity”.
As Pope Francis highlights in his September 1st World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation message, “In our hopeful and persevering expectation of the glorious return of Jesus, the Holy Spirit keeps us, the community of believers, vigilant; he continually guides us and calls us to conversion, to a change in lifestyle in order to resist the degradation of our environment and to engagement in that social critique which is above all a witness to the real possibility of change.”
The Pope concludes by inviting our lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to “become a song of love for God, for humanity, with and for creation, and find their fullness in holiness.”
Creation Care Ministry suggests some possible ways to pray, learn and take action during the Season of Creation:
St. Joan of Arc parish will celebrate a Season of Creation Mass as part of the Saturday evening and Sunday masses on September 7 – 8. All are welcome! Visit the Creation Care Ministry table in the parish hall after the Sunday masses on September 15th to find ways to pray, learn and take action this Season of Creation.
Read Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation which was released on June 27th. The Vatican has produced a short video and infographic about the Pope’s message.
Find free online resources for prayer, reflection and action: The Season of Creation website has several resources including a prayer card and an ecumenical Celebration Guide with various action suggestions. Catholic Climate Covenant has produced Homily Helps for all Season of Creation Sundays as well as a list of resources including their 2024 Feast of St. Francis program, “Let us Sow Hope” and a Catholic Liturgical Guide. Laudato Si’ Movement lists several Catholic prayer, liturgy and other resources including a 42-page booklet called God’s Creation Waits which has prayers and activities for children that can be used as a supplement in parish or school religious education or by families at home.
This Season of Creation, Christians around the world are raising awareness and support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, a global effort to build international cooperation for phasing out coal, oil and gas production and ensuring a just transition for workers, communities, and countries. The Season of Creation Advocacy Guidelines provide resources for learning more, as well as prayer and action possibilities.
Consider supporting the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative by signing the Faith Letter or exploring other ways to endorse: In July 2022 Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, endorsed it. Later that year religious leaders presented a multi-faith letter calling on governments to develop and implement a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Over 400 faith institutions, 13 countries, many cities (including Toronto), Nobel Laureates, civil society organisations, health institutions, scientists and others around the world have endorsed this civil society initiative.
St. Joan of Arc parishioners—consider joining Creation Care Ministry: New members are welcome! If interested, send us an email at creationcare1701@gmail.com.
“May your Creator Spirit help us in our weakness, so that we may know the redeeming power of Christ and the hope found in him. May the groans of the Spirit
birth in us a willingness to serve you faithfully, so that we may hear and heal Creation, to hope and act together with her, so that the firstfruits of hope may blossom.”
2024 Season of Creation Prayer (excerpt)