Latest News & Events

Font size: +

Season of Creation 2024

The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.

This year's theme is "To Hope and Act with Creation". We hope that the following resources will help you and your parish community to celebrate the Season of Creation 2024. These resources are compiled by the Laudato Si' Working Group of the Irish Bishop's Conference & Trócaire. You can find further resources on the international Season of Creation website: seasonofcreation.org

Letter from Bishop McKeown promoting the Season of Creation

Resources for parishes

We hope that the following resources will help you and your parish community to celebrate the Season of Creation 2024. The resources below are compiled by the Laudato Si' Working Group of the Irish Bishop's Conference. You can find further resources on the international website: seasonofcreation.org 

  1. Sunday Liturgy Notes for Season of Creation 2024: This resource includes homily notes for each Sunday of the season, prayers of the faithful, music suggestions, reflections and mass parts which highlight the call "To Hope and Act with Creation".

  2. Season of Creation Biodiversity Leaflet: A colourful resource with many practical tips and reflections on how to promote Biodiversity this Season of Creation. A version for printing locally is also available here.

  3. Nurturing your Family Faith in Nature as Gaelige: This resource from Trócaire is ideal for a children's group, youth group or any family or community setting where people can explore their relationship with God's Creation through reflection and activities.

  4. Rubbish Graveyard: a resource which helps to show people just how long it takes for items to biodegrade. You might create a space in your parish to display it. This is a helpful activity for children's liturgy or youth group. With thanks to An Tairseach Ecology Centre. 

  5. Blessing of Family Pets around the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi: On the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4th) parishes might like to invite people to bring their pets for a special blessing. This resource will help support this activity. "Praise be to you my Lord, with all your creatures." (Canticle of Creation). 

  6. Ecological Rosary – LSM: Slides to accompany an Ecological Rosary from the Laudato Si' Movement.

  7. Creation Walk Moments:  adapted from the booklet by Father Brian Grogan SJ, Creation Walk: The Amazing Story of a Small Blue Planet. You might use this resource in your parish community by setting up 'moments' around the church, or around your parish, to convey the different stages of the story of our Universe. This resource will provide people with an opportunity to experience the wonder and awe of God's creation and to become familiar with the story of our Universe. Did you know that there is now a beautiful Creation Walk at Knock Shrine? You might consider bringing your parish group to visit it. You can read about it here.

  8. Tree Planting Resource: Engage your parish or diocese in Tree Planting initiatives this year. Thanks to 'Easy Treesie' we have all the tips you need and prayers for a tree planting service.

    Other Useful Resources: View on Irish Bishops Conference website


A message on the Season of Creation from our dear friend Noel Bradley RIP.

Thank you Noel.


What is Laudato Si?

Pope Francis' encyclical letter 'Laudato Si' - Care of our common home' is addressed to "every person living on this planet". Laudato Si' was published on 18 June 2015, in eight languages. At the time, many held great hopes that it would be a powerful voice of influence in three major UN moments, one of which was the UNFCCC Paris Agreement on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

What is an encyclical?
An encyclical is a letter circulated by the Pope to Catholic churches worldwide. It is sent directly from our Holy Father in Rome to Catholics all over the world and is often addressed to all people of good will, namely non-Catholics who may also want to read the document. Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si' - Care of our common home' is addressed to "every person living on this planet".

Where can I see the Laudato Si letter?
The encyclical letter 'Laudato Si' is published on the Vatican website - click here to view.

DERRY DIOCESE LAUDATO SI GROUP


Formed in 2016, the Diocesan Laudato Si' Group is a response to Pope Francis' urgent challenge to hear "the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor."

The group promotes the message that true discipleship requires us to care for the Earth and supports individuals, groups, parishes and schools in becoming active in caring for our Common Home.

If your parish would like to know more about how you can help to care for our common home, please contact:
Patricia McCormack, Laudato Si Derry
Tel: 077 1190 0420 / +44 77 1190 0420
Email:
Facebook: Laudatosiderry

Letter from Bishop McKeown on Season of Creation 2...
The Net - July/August 2024
Contact

Diocesan Offices
St Eugene’s Cathedral
Francis Street, Derry
BT48 9AP

Tel: 028 7126 2302

Follow us