{"id":1790,"date":"2020-09-12T19:16:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T19:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/?page_id=1790"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T16:04:22","slug":"season-of-creation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/season-of-creation\/","title":{"rendered":"Season of Creation"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">September 1 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2013 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">October 4, 202<\/span><span class=\"s2\">6<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">The Season of Creation is celebrated annually by tens of thousands of Christians around the world. During the Season of Creation, we pray and act to protect God<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s creation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">The Season of Creation is celebrated by Christians across the ecumenical spectrum, a<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s well<\/span><span class=\"s2\">the leaders of many faiths traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">The season begins on September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis, who is the patron saint of ecology in many traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">This season is a special time for the Creator and each other. Some of us pray, some of <\/span><span class=\"s2\">us <\/span><span class=\"s2\">do hands-on projects, some of us advocate. We all <\/span><span class=\"s2\">work to <\/span><span class=\"s2\">protect creation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">Celebrating the Season of Creation<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">We <\/span><span class=\"s2\">know how to celebrate Advent, observe Lent, rejoice at Easter. But how might we observe the non-liturgical Season of Creation? As a parish, we have planned our liturgies around this beautiful Season when we celebrate all of God<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s creation. As individuals and families, we can create our own traditions too. Plant a tree. Help preserve a forest. Take walks in nature. Support national parks. Shrink our carbon footprint. Remember, creation isn<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">t simply around us. We are part of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8691\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/season-of-creatino-2026.png?resize=468%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"468\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/season-of-creatino-2026.png?w=468&amp;ssl=1 468w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/season-of-creatino-2026.png?resize=300%2C128&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/season-of-creatino-2026.png?resize=150%2C64&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s2\">About this year<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s theme<\/span><span class=\"s2\">:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">Our Biblical text for this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">In the letter of Paul the apostle to the Romans, the biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:<\/span><span class=\"s2\">19-<\/span><span class=\"s2\">22). Francis of Assisi understood this when he referred to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of Creatures. <\/span><span class=\"s2\">In our times<\/span><span class=\"s2\"> we are not relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life springs forth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">Season of Creation\u2014<\/span><span class=\"s2\">Questions for Contemplation<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s2\">How will we, as individuals, and as the Church<\/span><span class=\"s2\">, <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Recognize God<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s ownership of the whole Earth, and all our <\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"s2\">possessions,<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u201d <\/span><span class=\"s2\">and release what we have back to God, both spiritually and practically?<\/span> <span class=\"s2\">Recognize our total dependency on God and his creation?<\/span> <span class=\"s2\">Receive God<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s provision, in patience and trust?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s2\">How can we glorify God for the hope we have in Christ, who restores and redeems the Earth?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s2\">What changes will we see for those who are poor, and the land we enslave?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s2\">How will we practice auditing our own mistreatment of the Earth, and committing to new practices individually and as worshipping communities?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s2\">Prayer and Action<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s2\">Born of grace, we pray that the Lord who is our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer will touch our hearts and that of the human family during this Season of Creation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s2\">Look for celebration opportunities <\/span><span class=\"s2\">this Fall<\/span><span class=\"s2\"> and specially-selected liturgical prayers and music drawing attention to this very special season. In the meantime, here are some suggestions for what you can do today and throughout the year to respond to this important vocational call:<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s3\">\u200b<span class=\"s2\">Read Pope Francis<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Laudato Si<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">: On Care for Our Common Home. It challenges us to <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s4\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"s2\">hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u201d <\/span><span class=\"s2\">through ecological conversion, <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">changes in lifestyle and society, and strong political action.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s3\">\u200b<span class=\"s2\">Take the Laudato Si<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Pledge to (1) pray for and with creation, (2) live more simply, and<\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">(<\/span><span class=\"s2\">3) advocate for protection of our common home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s3\">\u200b<span class=\"s2\">Join The Madeleine<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s Laudato Si<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Circle. Laudato Si<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Circles are small groups meeting <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">regularly to deepen their relationship with God as Creator and all members of creation, <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">and operates from a model of Prayer, Reflection, and Action. Contact: Bill Hunter, <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">wjhunterjr@gmail.com.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s3\">\u200b<span class=\"s2\">Participate in The Madeleine<\/span><span class=\"s4\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s2\">s expanded recycling program. Open to the larger <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">community<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2014<\/span><span class=\"s2\">invite and encourage friends and neighbors to join in our collection efforts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"s3\">\u200b<span class=\"s2\">To help out contact Jenny Hunter, <\/span><a href=\"mailto:jennyhunterjr@gmail.com\"><span class=\"s8\">jennyhunterjr@gmail.com<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s2\"> or Mark<\/span> <span class=\"s2\">Bargovan, <\/span>\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b<span class=\"s2\">mark.bargovan@gmail.com<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>September 1 \u2013 October 4, 2026 The Season of Creation is celebrated annually by tens of thousands of Christians around the world. During the Season of Creation, we pray and act to protect God\u2019s creation. The Season of Creation is celebrated by Christians across the ecumenical spectrum, as wellthe leaders of many faiths traditions. The<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/season-of-creation\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue Reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Season of Creation&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1432,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1790","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ministries"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1790"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8692,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1790\/revisions\/8692"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themadeleine.edu\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}