The day began with Mass for Care of Creation, celebrated by Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick with Fr. Tom MacNeil, VG
Prayers of Intercession
Confident that God hears the cry of the Earth and the cries of all who live on it, let us unite our voices with theirs as we offer our prayers, praying: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Holy Father Pope Leo, all bishops, priests, deacons and all leaders of the faith: that the Church may continue to be a beacon of hope, reminding us of our shared responsibility to care for and protect God’s precious gift of creation. We pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
For world leaders and those with power over the economy: that they may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to avoid the sin of indifference, to seek the common good, and to make just decisions that protect the Earth and the most vulnerable. We pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
For Communities, that our efforts to conserve, restore, and protect the natural world may be blessed, and that we may cultivate a spirit of gratitude for the beauty and abundance of God’s creation. We pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
For Future Generations, hat we may all be granted the grace to see the Earth not as a resource to be exploited, but as a sacred gift to be cherished and cared for, a reflection of Christ’s love. We pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the vulnerable, for those who are already suffering from drought, floods, and severe weather, may God grant them strength and hope for the future. We pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
For Personal Conversion, for a renewed sense of wonder and awe: that we may discover the worth of each thing and recognize our profound connection with every creature. We pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
God of all creation, your goodness and glory shine forth through everything you have made. Prompted by your Spirit, help us to cherish this gift and be good stewards of our common home. We ask this in the name of Jesus, through whom all creation was made. Amen
The day concluded with a discussion led by Dr. Darlene O’Leary, Martha Justice Ministry, on interconnectivity and our roles, options and actions for care of our common home. The day was a celebration of the natural beauty of our world, an introduction to the gifts and talents of those gathered, and a reminder of resources available in nature, the sacraments, and community for nourishment and enlightenment of mind, body, and spirit.
“The publication in May 2015 of the encyclical Laudato si’ (LS) of our beloved Pope Francis was a gift that reminds us every day of his call to the Church, to rulers and to all people of good will to listen to the cry of the poor and of the Earth and to respond to it together, responsibly, through the paradigm of integral ecology (LS ch. 4).
Ten years ago, Laudato si’ roused us from indifference to the environmental and social crisis of our time; now is the time to take up its legacy and translate it into concrete and courageous action for change.
This very significant anniversary therefore becomes an opportunity, first of all, to thank all those who have committed themselves according to their possibilities in the countless projects, trainings, liturgies, political initiatives at various levels, as well as in the new collaborations built thanks to Laudato si’. May these good works continue! They are signs of hope, as the Jubilee Year we are currently experiencing also invites us to reflect.”
Card. Michael Czerny S.J., Prefect, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
“The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.”
Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si
Read the Encyclical Letter here
Want to know more about Laudato Si and Care for our Common Home?
The Letter: A Message for our Earth
is a 2022 documentary film presented by YouTube Originals, telling the story of the Laudato Si encyclical by Pope Francis. This film tells the story about the Pope’s call to care for our planet. In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si,’ a letter to the world confronting the environmental crisis to every single person in the world.
1 hour, 20 minutes
Laudato Si’ – A Canadian Response
presents the views of nine prominent (and soon to be prominent) Canadians among whom are David Suzuki, Maude Barlow, Silver Don Cameron and Gregor Robertson as they reflect on the Encyclical.
35 minutes
Living Out Laudato Si, a resource from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Suggested prayers, reflections and actions with a Canadian perspective
Living_Out_Laudato_Si_En
Resources:
https://raisinghope.earth/
For commitment to action:
https://piattaformadiiniziativelaudatosi.org/
