September is Season of Creation Month
During Advent, use an Advent Calendar (prepared by the Laudato Sí movement) to count down the days till Christmas – have everyone share one thing they are grateful for before opening each door or practice works of mercy on the journey towards Christmas. Visit our Advent Guide web page for more information about what you and your family can do at your home and your community.
Celebrate Season of Creation Month
2024 Events
- September 1, 2024, 8:30 am Mass for the World Day of Prayer for Creation at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
- Sep. 19, Sept. 26, Oct 17 Gospel of Water Series at St. Simon Parish
- Sept. 21 Creek Clean-Up at sites throughout Santa Clara County
Stewards of Our Common Home
Laudate Deum
Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortations – A follow up Document by the Pope after Laudato Sí.
Laudato Si’
The encyclical Laudato Si’ is considered part of the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. Although there are many previous statements by popes and bishops on the question of our place in creation, this is the first social encyclical in the Catholic Church to address the complex social and ecological crisis in a direct and specific way. quoted from CAFOD – Laudato Si’ explained (cafod.org.uk)
Laudato Si’ Platform
Bishop Cantú on Laudato si’ Platform
- Bishop’s Message on Laudato Si’ Action Platform
- Statement from Bishop Cantú: On this Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, I call your attention to an issue that has been a growing concern for the Church for decades and which Pope Francis has more recently highlighted, calling us to both reflection and action. This past June we marked the fourth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, in which he invited all persons to care for “our common home,” the planet God created for humanity to inhabit. Pope Francis expressed the need for an “ecological conversion” — that living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue, to a Christian life (LS 217). All Christian communities have an important role to play in ecological education (LS 214). Full Statement.
- Laudato Si’ Reflection 2022
Enroll into the Laudato si’ Platform
Laudato Si’ – Resources
Reflection (Study)
- Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis Laudato Sí, 2015
- Letter from California Bishops, 2019 English | Spanish
- The Emmaus Walk – A Response to Living out Laudato Si (PowerPoint)
Communion (Teach)
Resources for Parishes
- Laudato Si – Schedule of Activities May16-24
- Laudato Si’ Study Guide
- Laudato Si’ 1-pager
- Liturgy and Preaching resources
- Querida Amazonia Study Guide
- Social Media Templates and Logos
- Laudato Si PDF Postcards | English & Spanish
- Spanish “Care for God’s Creation Discussion Guide“
- Care for Creation in Action
Resources for Teachers and Catechists
- Laudato Si Video for Elementary School Children
- Laudato Si Video for High School Students
- Video children’s book Drop by Drop on access to water
Mission (Act)
Season of Creation
To hope and act with Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for Creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth.
We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it. This year, the theme for the season is “To hope and act with Creation”. Amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, many are beginning to despair and suffer from eco-anxiety. As people of faith 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. – seasonofcreation.org
SEASON OF CREATION 2024
In the letter of Paul the apostle to the Romans, the biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:22). Francis of Assisi understood this when he referred to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of Creatures. The times we live in show that we are not relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used.
And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life springs forth.
Season of Creation 2023 Events
SEASON OF CREATION 2023 EVENTS
Saturday 9/16, from 2pm to 6pm, St. Simon Parish
- Ecology Fair & Speaker, is hosting a talk on The Ecological Vision of Laudato si’ provided by Dr. Paul Schutz from Santa Clara University. There will also be an Ecological Fair and Mass celebrated at 5:00pm. St. Simon Parish is at 1860 Grant Rd, Los Altos. Please register.
Saturday 9/ 23 – California Coastal Cleanup Day.
- Register with the CA Coastal Commission and participate in the cleanup of a local waterway.
Saturday 9/ 23 from 9AM – 12PM Season of Creation Mass & Reception Saturday,. St. Thomas of Canterbury
- Learn how parishes and organizations in the diocese are working on the goals of the Laudato si’ Action Platform. Please register
Saturday 9/30, from 9:30am to 11:30am, St. Francis of Assisi Parish
- Season of Creation The Ecological Vision of Laudato si’ at Living the Season of Creation Every Day: The Ecological Vision of Laudato si’. Explore the Catholic response to the ecological crisis that affects our earth and all life. Please register.
Season of Creation 2023
SEASON OF CREATION 2023
Season of Creation – ecumenical
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. About – Season of Creation
“This Season of Creation will be an opportunity to pray, reflect and act together as the People of God for our common home. Like tributaries joining forces to become a mighty river, the ecumenical family will come together on a synodal path of care for our common home through justice and peace.”
– Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Pope Francis announcements
Creation Day 2023 Message of Pope Francis for Creation Day 2023 – Laudato Si’ Movement (laudatosimovement.org)
The Catholic Church as part of this ecumenical movement/celebration
- Message of Pope Francis for Creation Day 2023 – Laudato Si’ Movement (laudatosimovement.org)
Care of Creation Video Resources
Season of Creation:
Earth on your Plate presentation
Laudato Si’:
From Vision to Practice
