Greetings …
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Season of Creation that we followed throughout September. It was a wonderful time of sharing stories and getting to know one another a little better though personal words and images. I am hoping to put these reflections together as a little reminder to each one of us of what we have shared. I’m also looking for other contributions so if you have anything on the theme of creation you would like to share please let me know. I’m happy to receive contributions via post, email or over the phone.

In some traditions today is celebrated as St Francis’ Feast Day, and it seems fitting that Francis of Assisi (the patron saint of animals and the environment) would be remembered the Sunday following the Season of Creation. Although Francis lived about 800 years ago in Italy, his ideas still carry weight. To quote Br Christopher John SSF, Francis had an intuitive grasp of the relationship between all parts of creation and their creator. Everything in creation is part of an intricate web created by God. Each part speaks of God’s presence and purpose.

When Francis spoke of animals he named them as brother or sister, seeing them as equal in relationship both with humanity and with God. I wonder how viewing creation in this light would change the way that we care for it. Maybe it would make us more generous in our treatment of the environment and its inhabitants if we gave them all a voice and saw them as equals.

During this springtime when we see new life emerging, let us be thankful for the wonder of the created world that we are a part of. May we each give serious consideration to what we might do to make a positive difference for the whole of creation. What world do we want to leave for the future generations?
Blessings – Heather.