The Season of Creation began on September 1 and will continue until Saturday, October 4, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of ecology who loved every creature, plant and the poor.
All parishes in the Diocese have been invited to take part in the programme planned for the Season of Creation and the range of resources that have been made available.
The Diocese of Kerry Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Committee has drawn up an informative and attractive leaflet for the Season.
It has also created a documentary called ‘Journey around the Diocese’ to highlight actions taken by three schools, a parish and an individual in the name of biodiversity.
These highlighted actions provide a sample of some of the initiatives that are taking place in parishes from Millstreet to Tralee, Killorglin to Fossa, and the documentary showing them will premiere online on September 10.
The theme of this year’s Season is ‘Peace with Creation’ and it is hoped that all church gardens and green areas will be places of peace not only for humans but for all creatures and plants which call it home.
The theme was imagined as a response to the late Pope Francis’ message in his letter ‘Laudato Si’ and the call of the Irish Catholic Bishops for churches to set aside “30% of parish grounds as a haven for pollinators and biodiversity”.
Pope Leo XIV wrote in his special message for The 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1:
“In a world where the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters are the first to suffer the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation and pollution, care for creation becomes an expression of our faith and humanity.”
Sunday, September 21 is International Day of Peace and the Diocese is suggesting this date as a most appropriate day to celebrate the Season during weekend masses, by planting a tree or taking steps to set aside part of the church grounds for biodiversity.
As the Season draws to a close, some parishes will hold a blessing event for pets on or around the fourth of October.Another diocesan event planned is an afternoon workshop on Sunday, September 21 in Fossa Parish, in collaboration with the JPIC committee. All parish representatives and interested individuals are invited to attend to share their experiences, gather knowledge and resources and celebrate the Season of Creation.
The weekly Sunday morning Horizons program on Radio Kerry will host a series of interviews related to the Season and the ‘Just A Thought’ segment on weekdays at 7am and noon will highlight it too.
All parishes are asked to submit notice of their event, no matter how small, to be included on a calendar of events on the diocesan website: www.dioceseofkerry.ie