Lord, we come before you in darkness and look for your dawn.
We listen for Your still, small voice
in the midst of the storm.
Help us hear Your words and speak them to others.
Help us change the ways we live,
that we may shine a light
that leads the world to You.
As You brought new life to the world,
bring new life to us today,
that we may share it abundantly with others.
United in hope,
bound by our love for each other and the home we share,
we pray this in your name, Jesus Christ.
                                                                        Amen.
                                                                (Laudato SiLent.org)
    

     Lent is a time of preparation for Easter as we fast, pray and give alms. Laudato Si Lent asks that we move away from “ecological sin and move towards ecological conversion”. 
            To help us on this journey, Pope Francis invites all of us to watch the documentary  “The Letter”. This film gives us a rare glimpse into the lives and work of “4 voices” . 
            Spanning from the Amazon, India, Senegal and Hawaii, we have the opportunity to watch their journey to Rome…They meet with Pope Francis and share their experiences on the poor, indigenous, youth and wildlife. “The Letter” can be found on the following link:
https://www.theletterfilm.org/watch/


Our commitment to ecological conversion during this Lenten season can be further enhanced. St. Aloysius and Notre Dame, churches that are part of Archdiocese of Newark Environmental Justice Ministry, compiled ways in which we can care for our common home each week of Lent.  You may be surprised how many ways you can help.  

Learn How You Can Help

2022 Season of Creation Prayer
SOC-2022-Celebration- Guide

In this Season of Creation, we pray that you would call to us, as from the burning bush, with the sustaining fire of your Spirit. 

Breathe upon us.  Open our ears and move our hearts.  Turn us from our inward gaze.  Teach us to contemplate your creation and listen for the the voice of each creation declaring your glory.  For “faith comes from hearing”.

Give us hearts to listen for the good news of your promise to renew the face of the Earth.  Enlighten us with the grace to follow the Way of Christ as we learn to walk lightly upon this holy ground.  
Fill us with the hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of your healing love that sustains our common home.

God who listens to every living thing,
Help us listen as you do. Amen

          During the month of September we are encouraged to listen, reflect and act on behalf of individuals, communities, species and ecosystems that are lost or threatened.

          The Burning Bush is a symbol of God’s call to all of us to listen to the voice of creation and faithfully respond through prayer, reflection and action.  We invite you to write your prayers, intentions or commitment for the Season of Creation on digital red ribbons; adorning our bush with hope, prayer and positive change.

Virtual Burning Bush

          Please join the Social Justice Ministry in our launch Creation Care event…Honey Bee Presentation..September 15, 2022, 7-8:30 pm, in the lower gathering space.

Peace be with you…

“Laudato Si’ Week 2022 will be celebrated May 22-29, designating the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home”.  This global recognition will unite Catholics to listen and respond together in caring for all of creation, “walking the Synodal path”.

Please join us in celebration and reflection of our acknowledgement and actions towards ecological conversion through the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ action platform: response to the cry of the poor,  response to the cry of the earth, ecological economics, community engagement and participatory actions, ecological spirituality, ecological education and adoption of simple lifestyles.

For a global calendar of events highlighting a different goal and region in the world, please visit https://laudatosiweek.org/allevents/ . To join us in week long prayer,  please visit  https://laudatosimovement.org/news/laudato-si-week-2022-prayers/. 

God bless you.