New Theme for #SeasonOfCreation2023 

To learn more, visit the website: seasonofcreation.org 

…or read the following to find further information involving your area! 

Next month throughout Christian churches, the “Season of Creation” begins, which extends from September 1 to October 4. This will be an excellent opportunity to discover new information in the wake of a summer that exhibited all manner of extremes in terms of climate phenomena; and in addition will provide an occasion to join forces with others interested in finding solutions! Here are several ideas to stimulate your personal and collective reflections and actions: 

• Read and meditate on His Holiness’s message for September 1, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2023, inspired by his sojourn last year at Lac Sainte-Anne, Alberta, in the course of his visits among the Indigenous peoples of Canada. 
   
• Explore the toolkit “Season of Creation in a Box” provided by Canada’s Green Churches Network: https://greenchurches.ca/. This facilitation and educational guide is structured around three themes: biodiversity, wetlands and energy. Suggested prayer times are also proposed. 
   
• Invite your parish or movement to become members of the Green Churches Network and to identify actions to be undertaken throughout the year. Numerous parishes have become members - as is the Archdiocese of Montreal. 
   
• Find inspiration in this Celebration Guide for the Season of Creation prepared by an ecumenical committee and recommended by the international Laudato Si’ Movement: https://seasonofcreation.org/ 
   
• Watch the film “The Letter.” (Click here for free access and organize a forum after the screening) 
   
• Participate in implementing the Roadmap to net zero GHG emissions Quebec (ZéN) drafted by the Front commun pour la transition énergétique du Québec (Quebec common front for energy transition), members of which include the Quebec Catholic dioceses’ social justice ministers (Table de pastorale sociale des diocèses catholiques du Québec). 
   
• Join one of the four ZéN communities on the diocesan territory: Ahuntsic-Cartierville en transition, ClimAction Lachine, Laval ZéN, and L’Assomption-D’Autray, or join some other territorial community with a similar mission (new announcements coming soon…) 
   
• In solidarity with your local trade union, start a new project for a just transition in the workplace (Transition juste en milieu du travail) or join an already existing project. 
   
• Undertake a reflection on the effects of the climate crisis on how we use the built heritage of our churches (in French only): https://evequescatholiques.quebec/sn_uploads/fck/2021-06_17_CES_Crise-climatique-patrimoine-religieux.pdf 
  For ideas on how to take action (in French only), see: http://nonviolence.ca/index.php/eglises-lieux-dengagement-climatique-communautaires/ 

Formation 

• The theme of the “Season of Creation” is taken from the Book of Amos. Le Parcours Amos (Amos’s training sessions) traces the biblical roots of commitment for social justice, protection of the environment and living together in solidarity. For further information (in French only), see link:  https://www.officedecatechese.qc.ca/sens/Amos/index.html  
   
• Two study guides to assist in understanding the Pope’s encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’”: 
  • From the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
     
  • From the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice 

The Social Action Office would be grateful if you would kindly keep us informed of your initiatives by contacting your local agent or representative or by communicating with the diocesan Office: social@diocesemontreal.org 

“But let justice roll down like waters, 

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”   - Amos 5:24