What is the Season of Creation?
The Season of Creation is an ecumenical celebration from September 1 – October 4 every year. Christian communities around the world come together to pray and reflect on how we can care for our common home.
Season of Creation 2024 Theme
This year, the theme is to ‘Hope and Act with Creation’. Romans 8:19-25 reminds us that Earth, our mother is groaning, as if experiencing childbirth. It is a metaphor that helps us to remember the pain that Earth is experiencing at this time as a result of climate change, but also that as we work through this pain as a global society, so that something new can be created. Something better.
This metaphor gives us a biblical image of hope for a better world. This hope is an active hope. We don’t stand still waiting for something new to happen, but rather, we partner with creation itself to help it heal.
What does Caritas Australia have on offer this year to help you ‘Hope and Act with Creation’?
Convocation 2024
This year to celebrate the Season of Creation, our Catholic Earthcare program is hosting a convocation from September 12 to 14, centred on the theme: ‘Wonder, Weave, Heal’.
The convocation will include 2 days of online keynotes and events. And to end the celebrations, the 3rd day will be held in-person at 8 different diocesan locations around Australia, where participants will be able to engage in ‘action’ activities to help heal our common home. Some of those activities include:
- Re-mulching the rainforest
- Engaging in a microplastics audit
- Dadirri/Walking with God
- Landcare activities
- Community Laudato Si’ action planning
Learn more and register at caritas.org.au/soc-convocation
Art competition
Also happening again this year is our Season of Creation Art Competitions for school students. Winners will be announced at our convocation on September 14. Entries close September 2.
For more information on entry requirements, head to Catholic Earthcare
In the Primary and Secondary categories, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the ‘Bishops Prize’ are up for grabs as well as a ‘People’s Choice’ award. Voting for the People’s Choice award will open shortly after registrations close. Winners will receive vouchers to art supply stores.
How to celebrate in your own community
Prayer services are available for download below.
A prayer service to mark the Season of Creation (1 Sept – 4 Oct), for parishes.
A prayer service to mark the Season of Creation (1 Sept – 4 Oct), for primary school students.
A prayer service to mark the Season of Creation (1 Sept – 4 Oct), for secondary school students.