Be Our Guest / Sr. Sheila Marie Fitzpatrick, O.S.B.

Working together toward hope during this Season of Creation

“Creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Rom 8:19-21).

The theme for this year’s Season of Creation, “Hope and Act with Creation,” draws from the above Scripture passage. The Season of Creation begins on the World Day of Prayer for Creation on Sept. 1 and ends on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct 4.

Pope Francis shared an eloquent message on this theme, stressing that hope is the possibility of remaining steadfast amid adversity, of not losing heart. He states further that “hope is an alternative reading of history; it is not illusory, but realistic, with the realism of a faith that sees what is unseen.” The protection of creation is “not only an ethical issue, but one that is eminently theological, where the fundamental relationships with God, with ourselves, with one another and with creation must be restored … for even if one is lacking, everything else fails.”

This theme and message urge us to act with hope, to believe that our actions and intentions matter to not only those around us, but to all of creation and to our relationship with God as followers of Christ. We know this begins with prayer and moves toward ongoing conversion through changes in our daily habits and reflection on how we each can be in service to God, our neighbor and also of creation.

However, you need not do this alone. You are invited to join fellow members of the archdiocese during this season. The archdiocesan Creation Care Commission, which is dedicated to the promotion of the protection of creation within and throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, offers multiple opportunities for involvement. The commission has given presentations to archdiocesan staff and to educators in archdiocesan schools.

They also continue to collaborate with the Indiana Catholic Conference in promoting creation care in our state government. One ongoing effort is to educate legislators on the value of community solar, which can help individuals, parishes and schools to lower energy costs and their carbon footprint and build resilience in the energy grid. To learn more about the work of the commission, go to ourcommonhome.org.

There are also opportunities during this season to participate in parish events. On Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Church, 1306 27th St., in Columbus, the commission is hosting the annual Season of Creation Mass with Archbishop Charles C. Thompson. St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 4625 N. Kenwood Ave., in Indianapolis, is also planning a talk on environmental justice by Paula Brooks from the Hoosier Environmental Council on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Mass at 6 p.m. will precede the talk.

During this time of trials, tribulations and crises, let us remain steadfast in the hope that Christ brings, to each of us and to all of creation.
 

(Benedictine Sister Sheila Marie Fitzpatrick is a member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove and a member of the archdiocese’s Creation Care Commission.) †