Here are five very simple, realistic steps a Catholic parish can take during the Season of Creation to begin living out Laudato Si’:
1. Pray for Creation Intentionally
• Add a short prayer for care of the earth, the poor, and future generations to Sunday Mass intercessions.
• Encourage parishioners to pray outdoors together, noticing God’s presence in nature.
2. Host a “Creation Walk” or Outdoor Rosary
• Gather parishioners for a simple walk around the parish grounds, a nearby park, or neighborhood.
• Reflect on Scripture and creation, connecting faith with the gift of the natural world.
3. Go Plastic-Free at Parish Events
• Replace disposable cups, plates, and cutlery with reusable or compostable options at coffee hours or parish gatherings.
• This small, visible change reinforces stewardship in daily habits.
4. Plant Something Together
• Plant a tree, flowers, or even a small herb garden on parish property.
• Invite parish children, catechism students, or youth groups to help care for it as an act of hope for the future.
5. Reduce Energy Use Simply
• Turn off lights, fans, and equipment when not in use.
• Encourage “Creation Sundays” where the parish intentionally uses natural light when possible.
• Share this practice with parishioners so they can try it at home.
Season Of Creation
1st September – 4th October 2025
The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church since Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual “World Day of Prayer” for the Care of Creation in 2015.
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
In 1989 the Orthodox Church established a day of prayer for creation. This was followed in the years to come by the World Council of Churches who extended the time of awareness through to 4th October.
Pope Francis established the season within the Roman Catholic calendar in 2015 saying,
The annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation will offer individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live. The celebration of this Day, on the same date as the Orthodox Church, will be a valuable opportunity to bear witness to our growing communion with our Orthodox brothers and sisters.
Prayer for Creation
Creator God,
You have given us this beautiful earth,
our common home, filled with life and wonder.
Open our hearts to see your presence in all of creation,
to protect what is fragile,
to cherish what sustains us,
and to share your gifts with all people.
Bless our parish family with wisdom and courage
to live simply, care deeply,
and walk gently upon this earth.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform
The Laudato Si’ Action Plan is a shared space where the church develops a bold and active response to the ecological crisis, so urgently illustrated by Pope Francis. The effects of our encounter with Jesus become evident in our relationship with the world around us. Laudato Si’ Plans support your community’s journey to integral ecology.
Enrolling in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform is an act of hope for the future we are building together. The institutions, communities and families that enrol are invited to reflect on how the Laudato Si’ Goals connect with the core values of loving kindness, responsible stewardship of our place in creation and care for the most vulnerable.
To those who wish to have an impact on our environment and build their relationship with Jesus, you should sign up for the Laudato Si’ Action Platform by Clicking Here. You can also learn more and sign up for the Season of Creation by Clicking Here.
