The upcoming ecumenical Season of Creation is a special time in the liturgical year when Christians celebrate the wonder of creation and thank God, the Creator. It is a time to reflect on relationships between God, people and the whole Earth community, and to show our care. The Season of Creation begins on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1st) and concludes on the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi (October 4th). This year Christians take inspiration from the Prophet Amos, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” (Amos 5: 24).
St Columbans Mission Society invites Primary and Secondary school students in Australia, Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand to participate in our 2023 Season of Creation school competition. Students are invited to prepare a video submission that reflects on the 2023 theme for the Season of Creation, ‘Let justice and peace flow’ and consider their local place.
Local ecosystems are places to learn more about ecology, notice where new life and relationships can be nurtured and discover what can be done to help move people's hearts and minds to better care for creation. Imagine the power of everyone taking small steps in kind and thoughtful actions that contribute to a just and sustainable world.
Looking into our scriptural texts, we see how Jesus, early in the morning would go to a lonely place to pray, up a mountain or by the sea. Pope Francis, in his 2015 Encyclical letter, Laudato Si': On Care for our common home says, "The Lord was able to invite others to be attentive to the beauty that there is in the world because he himself was in constant touch with nature, lending it an attention full of fondness and wonder” (Laudato Si’ n 97). What a beautiful insight to ponder and practice, having an attentive gaze and caring presence, open to the Spirit’s guidance and love for a world in need of much healing.
A sense of urgency prevails due to increasing climate change and the rapid loss of biodiversity, which exacerbate inequalities and affect lives on every continent. Here in Australia, native plants and animals are found to be in a poor or very poor state. The health of whole ecosystems, including critical water basins is also poor and deteriorating with some showing signs of collapse. Around the world, there are similar findings about the plight of biodiversity. We feel these losses and are troubled by these disturbing trends. And yet, as we grow in awareness and are equipped to discern, we are strengthened to respond positively and rejoice in possibilities for a fairer world.
Research shows the vast majority of Australians are concerned about the health of our Earthly home and want to see a safe and healthy future. Here in Melbourne, friends of local lands and waterways are making great contributions to restore indigenous plants, improve habitat for birds and animals and the quality of soil, air and water, support the greening of spaces for city dwellers and nurture community belonging. Cities and urban areas are critical areas to focus attention on threatened species, where people and places can heal together. Over the past decades, there has been an intensification of efforts internationally to address the crisis of biodiversity loss. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a treaty that entered into force in 1993 and most countries have signed up to it. The latest meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) took place in Montreal, Canada in December 2022 where the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed upon to conserve biodiversity over the next decade.
Columban missionaries took part in COP15, to bring faith-based values and international experience in a boost of support for the restoration of creation. Faith communities have a large reach and express long-term commitments to mission for the common good so have an important role to play. Columban missionaries are international leaders in advocacy and education campaigns, spiritual formation and community-led transformation. At all levels within the Church, Columban missionaries contribute to realizing a vision for an integrated response to today’s urgent challenges.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas, Peace, Ecology and Justice Office, Columban Mission Centre, Essendon.
Listen to "Season of Creation School Competition 2023
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - August 2023
- Primary Schools: - Watch - https://youtu.be/puvuCFMo1HM
- Secondary Schools - Watch - https://youtu.be/YvIePb_RFTw
