EVENTS DURING THE 2019 SEASON OF CREATION
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation - September 1.
Pope Francis has established 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. The day is inspired by Pope Francis' landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on "every person living on this planet" to care for our shared Earth. He calls us all to celebrate this opportune moment to “reaffirm [our] personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation, as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live.” SJN held a special liturgy at the 11:30 Mass on September 1, using songs, readings, and prayers recommended for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation by the Diocese of Arlington. Click HERE for an uplifting homily by Fr. Don Heet, OSFS. |
"As individuals, as a society, as a world, it is our responsibility to leave a healthier world for our descendants than the one that was left to us.
May the lord give us intelligence, wisdom, justice, and the commitment to be the stewards of creation he wants us to be. So we may have and leave the world in the condition the Lord intended it to be." Excerpt from Fr. Heet's Sept 1 Homily |
Food for Personal and Planetary Health Showcase - September 29. CCH presented a Food for Personal and Planetary Health Showcase after the three morning Masses in the auditorium, featuring displays on the carbon impact of different types of food, sustainable agriculture, reducing meat consumption, eating locally grown produce, reducing food waste, composting, nutrition, and more! More information can be found HERE.
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi - October 4. We celebrated the Patron Saint of Ecology during the daily 9:00 a.m. Mass and a blessing at the St. Francis of Assisi garden statue in the parking lot. Thank you, Fr. DeLillio, for once again helping out with the prayer service and blessing. Click HERE for the prayer service used during the blessing.
Help all people to protect and safeguard all life and our sacred earth and environment. Monthly Prayer Vigil for Peace, Life, and Justice - October 5. Our prayer intention for this month was that governments and individuals may act to protect the earth, our common home, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of climate disruption. Help us to make the church truly be a peace church, a church that renounces all injustice, violence, killing, and always advocates for the poor and the victims. |
Blessing of the Animals - October 6. The Season of Creation came to a close with the Blessing of the Animals.
Praying outdoors with all of God’s magnificent creation, even for a short time, refreshes us, letting Christ’s love and grace flow more easily. Take your prayer outside today!
Praying outdoors with all of God’s magnificent creation, even for a short time, refreshes us, letting Christ’s love and grace flow more easily. Take your prayer outside today!