Parish Resources for the Season of Creation

Banner by Martin Jarvis

Laudato Si 'animator John Woodhouse has sent these short parish newsletter items for the Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4 2026) The banner is by Laudato Si' animator Martin Jarvis.

The season of Creation begins on Sept 1 the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The theme of the season is "Living water". We learn of a river growing deeper and restoring barren land with reviving waters and sustaining flourishing ecosystems.

This vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage and embracing interconnectedness. We are called to immerse ourselves in the water, actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.

For Sept 6 - 23rd Sunday year A

In the Gospel today Jesus tells us what to do if somebody does something wrong. "Where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them".

The Season of Creation theme of "Living water" encourages us to immerse ourselves in the tears of creation, allowing our hearts to be touched by those suffering particularly from environmental degradation, as well as the suffering of all creation. We should all pray together for our common home.

For Sept 12th 24th Sunday Year A

In the Gospel today Peter asks how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me. Jesus answered "Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times". A parable follows but how much God has forgiven us and we must forgive our fellow servants in the same way.

It is important to be well-informed about what is actually happening. To find out what is happening in the UK seek out a showing of the People's Emergency Briefing and respond to it by writing to your MP. On the theme of Season of creation for 2026 "Living water" we are facing a crisis with lack of water and drought from the heat waves. Much water is wasted and too much money goes into the pockets of shareholders and not towards fixing our ageing infrastructure.

For Sept 20th 25th Sunday Year A

In the Gospel today we learn that all are equal in the sight of God. All get the same pay. "I choose to pay the last-comer as much as I pay you". But this is not the case in our world. The poor get poorer while the rich get richer. Pope Leo has written in Magnifica humanitas that all should receive a fair wage. The poor need justice. Find out what you can do to help.

For Sept 27th 26th Sunday Year A

In the first reading today from Ezekiel we are asked "Is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust?"

Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence and tying in this and the theme of water, perhaps you can now think about the cost of our Google searches and AI e.g.ChatGPT prompts. This is taken from earth.org and helps you to see the true cost: www.earthday.org/the-true-price-of-every-chatgpt-prompt/ "For instance, each time someone asks ChatGPT a question, the exchange feels nearly invisible: just text appearing on a screen. But behind that response lies a massive physical infrastructure drawing electricity, consuming water, and producing carbon emissions at an unprecedented scale. As generative artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday life, the environmental footprint of the system powering it is growing just as rapidly."

Data centres rely on water-based cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating. This amounts to an astronomical level of water and is only increasing. Think about your own searches and settings, can you avoid using AI and unnecessarily storing data? For example, clear up your folders (some might remember this was an automatic step when the PC slowed down!). Maybe you can think about the small actions you take and consider the impact these have. As St Teresa of Calcutta taught us: "Do small things, with great love".

Sunday Oct 4th St Francis of Assisi 800th anniversary of his death (end of the Season of creation)

The readings for the 27th Sunday Year A focus on the vineyard. St Francis is a much-loved saint who helps us to remember all the animals and birds and indeed the whole of creation on which we depend.

BIDDING PRAYER SUGGESTIONS FOR USE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON OF CREATION Sep 1 to Oct 4.

For Creation

We pray for our world, our common home. Forgive us for the harm we cause the earth. May we learn from the example of St Francis, who so loved Your world.

We pray for our world, our common home. May we be more aware of the consequences of our choices.

We pray for our world, our common home. May we avoid taking more from the earth than we need.

We pray for our world, our common home. Help us to follow the example of St Francis who came to heal, not to harm the world and showed us how to live as one.

The Pope's Encyclical Laudato Si shows love for creation. May we in turn show appreciation and respect for creation in all our actions.

For water (the theme for 2026 is "Living Water"

We give thanks for the gift of water. Help us to take more care of this precious resource.

We pray for those suffering from lack of water and from heat waves.. Help us to reach out to help them.

Help us to work for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.

May we immerse ourselves in the tears of creation so that our hearts are touched by those suffering from environmental degradation.

We pray for all who are baptised with living water. May we all live up to our calling to follow Christ.

For Animals

In the light of the Pope's Encyclical Laudato Si, we pray for the grace to recognize our duty to respect creation, so that we cause as little harm as possible to other creatures.

Lord, help us to be a good neighbour to any creature in need.

Help us to live without causing any harm to any creature.

Help us to be more aware of how our lifestyles can affect other creatures

The following three prayers are from Laudato Si Encyclical closing prayers, composed by Pope Francis:

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognise that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.

Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made.

God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth.

Lord, grant us the grace to be aware of how much the way in which we live our lives affects the whole of creation for better or for worse.

Lord, deepen in us a love and respect for all God's creatures and help us to exercise our responsibility as stewards of God's creation.

For decision makers

We pray for bankers and all who influence decisions affecting the poor of the world.

We pray for those who have make decisions about the future of our Earth.

For those who protest and pray

We pray for those who protest and pray for people to change their minds and habits.

LINK

New readings for the Mass of Care for Creation: www.cbcew.org.uk/mass-for-the-care-of-creation/