ST Patrick’s Primary School, Nanango took up Pope Francis’ challenge by engaging in the first annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1.
Pope Francis along with Brisbane archdiocese’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission is encouraging Catholics to mark the Season of Creation – from September 1 to October 4 – with prayer and action.
The Season of Creation is an optional season of the Church extending from September 1 until the feast of St Francis of Assisi which normally falls on October 4.
Pope Francis said he hoped individuals and communities would, “reaffirm their commitment to creation and thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, to implore his help for the protection of creation and pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live”.
St Patrick’s tackled the task in their own way engaging in a morning prayer to signify their unity as stewards of God’s creation.
Students listened to prayers of St Francis and Pope Francis and sang hymns reflecting on the need to nurture God’s gifts.
Taking their own individual meaning, students created their own prayers, reflecting their personal appreciation and commitment to God.
The prayers were hung from a prayer tree, serving as a symbol of long-term devotion.
The school showed its environmental awareness by participating in Nude Food Day, a Nutrition Australia initiative where kids bring their lunch to school without excess wrapping.
The CJPC has also provided parishes with resources, including prayers and liturgy suggestions, to help with the celebration.
“We’ve promoted the Global Catholic Climate Movement by sending out resources for the Season of Creation,” CJPC executive officer Peter Arndt said.
“That’s a chance for people to be involved in a worldwide movement in promoting action on climate change, which is what the Pope has encouraged us to do.
“And prayer is an important part of our campaign.”
A suggested action was to sign a Global Catholic Climate Movement petition to go to world leaders.
The petition calls for a commitment to action which will lead to substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in the global temperature will be kept at below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The petition can be signed at www.CatholicClimateMovement.global/petition.
