Author: Wes Moga

As we continue to journey through the Season of Creation, our initiative this week is to ACT.

The Season of Creation is a wonderful time to reflect on how our lifestyles affect the environment and to make a commitment to more sustainable ways of living. The good news is that making more sustainable lifestyle choices in just a few areas adds up to a big difference overall. As the saying goes, “Let us live simply so that others may simply live.” Living simply is a way to ensure our planet is truly a home for all. (seasonofcreation.org)

Here are a few ideas for simple things you can do to work towards living more sustainably:
– Make the effort to save electricity by turning off lights when you don’t need them and not leaving devices plugged in longer than necessary.
– Walk or bike rather than using a vehicle where you can.
– Plant a tree.
– Prepare meals that are good for the environment (considering the amount of waste they produce).
– Clean up garbage (safely, using gloves and trash spears).
– Calculate your carbon footprint using an online calculator like this one: https://www.footprintcalculator.org/home/en

For more ideas and resources on how you can introduce sustainable changes on an individual and institutional level, you are invited to check out pages 15-16 of the Season of Creation Guide: https://seasonofcreation.org/…/05/2021-SOC-Short-Guide.pdf

Amid crises that have shaken our world, the global Christian family was awakened to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and with each other during the ecumenical Season of Creation.

During the 2021 Season of Creation, from 1st September through 4th October, thousands of Christians on six continents get together for a time of restoration and hope, a jubilee for our Earth, and to discover radically new ways of living with creation. More than ever before, the global Christian family will unite to pray and take action for our common home.

This year’s theme is “A home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God”.

Our parish’s Laudato Si Circle will be marking the season this year in five distinct ways (see below), and all are invited to join in! Stay tuned to the News tab of our parish website and each upcoming bulletin for more details. You can also join our Facebook page: “Laudato Si Circle – St. Francis Xavier Parish, Stoney Creek”

• LEARN (September 5) – take a little time to check out the resources provided below to discover what this year’s Season of Creation is all about
  • YouTube video: “What is the Season of Creation?”
  • seasonofcreation.org

• ACT (September 12) – participate in a simple care for creation project (several suggestions will be provided next week)
• COMMIT (September 19) – inform yourself on the environmental segment of each political party’s platform as you prepare to vote, and sign a stewardship petition (several will be suggested)
• PRAY (September 26) – spend some time in prayer, reflecting on the gift of creation and our responsibility as its stewards (options for both personal and gathered prayer will be provided)
• CELEBRATE (October 3) – get outside to enjoy the splendours of nature (suggestions will be provided and a gathered option will be offered if possible)

We’ve resumed online gatherings on Zoom to help parishioners stay connected during this time when our regular ministries and programs can not take place in person! Here’s what’s coming up:

Monday, August 30: COFFEE WITH THE CLERGY
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Host: Fr. Peter Robinson
Description: Presentation/reflection/discussion on a faith-centred topic, opportunity to ask faith-related questions to our clergy members. Please submit your questions in advance to the contact email provided below.

If you would like to participate, please contact Wes Moga (parish youth minister) at wmoga@hamiltondiocese.com to request the Zoom invite.

Hoping you can join in for these times of faith, fun, and fellowship!

As the global human family faces the COVID-19 pandemic, Development and Peace — Caritas Canada wishes its members, donors and partner organizations the best of health and resilience. Our thoughts are especially with communities of the Global South whose hardships are compounded by this crisis.

A virtual campaign

During this difficult time, the need to support one another is more present than ever, particularly for our sisters and brothers in the Global South, whose struggles will be multiplied by this pandemic. As such, we will continue our Share Lent journey of solidarity virtually. We will remain in close contact by providing content and resources so that you can experience the spiritual renewal of Lent online and show your solidarity with those who need it most.

Your support is vital

As Church closures are already impacting collections in parishes across Canada, we are asking for donations by mail, phone or online:

Send a cheque to Development and Peace, 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, 3rd Floor, Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1T7

Call to donate: 1-888-664-3387

Donate online: https://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=17

Please consider sharing year-round with our monthly giving program. By signing up as a Share Year-Round donor, you are giving Development and Peace the ability to respond to needs as they arise, which is especially urgent at this time since our partner organizations will need us more than ever in the coming months.

Help us spread the word and encourage your friends, family and those in your community to donate during this precarious time.

For more information, please contact:

Minaz Kerawala
Communications and Public Relations Advisor,
Development and Peace — Caritas Canada514 257-8711 ext. 328 | mkerawala@devp.org

Brothers and sisters,

This is an incredibly busy and challenging time. With many businesses, schools, and parishes suspending services, we wanted to share a digital faith resource that can help us stay connected during this time of social distancing.

Hallow is a Catholic prayer and meditation app that guides users in deepening their relationship with God through audio-guided contemplative prayer sessions. Despite launching just over a year ago, Hallow is now the #1 Catholic app in the US app store with 150,000 downloads in over 50 countries, a 4.9 star rating, and over 750,000 prayer & meditation sessions completed through the app.

You can download the app here.

The app comes recommended by a number of Bishops, priests, families, and teachers across the country. You can get a quick tour of its features here on YouTube.

Hallow is making a special effort to help parishes during this health crisis to ensure that our social distancing does not lead to spiritual distancing from God.

There is both a permanently free version of the app, with content updated daily, as well as a premium version with additional content (how Hallow supports their team without selling advertisements or user data). The premium version usually comes with a 7-day free trial, but in an effort to support parishioners across the country, the Hallow team has extended the free trial period to 3 months.

The app includes a Lenten 40 days of prayer challenge, as well as a new set of Spiritual Communion sessions. Though not a replacement for receiving the physical sacrament, spiritual communion can act as a powerful way for us to seek union with Christ while Masses are suspended. The app also includes a new “Stuck at Home Praylist” to help us all find peace and healing during this time of stress and anxiety.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out directly to the Hallow team at info@hallow.app.

God bless you all.