As part of our commitment to Earth via our Laudato Si’ Action Plan, we are inviting everyone who shares in our charism to take a monthly Eco-Challenge with us.
The Season of Creation
The universal Catholic Church celebrates the Season of Creation each year from September 1 (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) through October 4 (The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi).
“Listen to the Voice of Creation” is the theme for 2022.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have become familiar with the concept of being muted in conversations. Many voices are muted in public discourse around climate change and the ethics of Earth-keeping. These are voices of those who suffer the impacts of climate change. These are voices of people who hold generational wisdom about how to live gratefully within the limits of the land. These are voices of a diminishing diversity of more-than-human species. It is the voice of the Earth.
seasonofcreation.org
Take the Eco-Challenge
During this Season of Creation, there will be many opportunities to choose outward manifestations of your inner ecological conversion.
Spread the word
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I spend summers in a camp on a small lake located in the eastern Adirondacks, and was one of several people who conducted a survey of the lakeshore to assess the health of trees (primarily hemlock) and other vegetation. There were no invasive species observable. Instead, I recorded several signs of health and hope for this small lake. Fresh water mussels have returned after an absence of nearly 50 years, we have resident loons, a bald eagle and blue heron, several flocks of turkeys, young deer – the list goes on. Residents here are very aware of ecological challenges and we do our best to keep our environment healthy. So far, so good.
In 2007, I attended a presentation by Al Gore at Hamilton College. The topic was on global warming. With graphs, he showed the carbon emissions and rising temperatures over generations. He spoke of a possible window of opportunity to slow or stop the rise.
I’ll never forget his closing words, “do you want to tell your children and grand children, you didn’t try?”