By Barb Arland-Fye
Editorial
In his message for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Leo XIV references the prophet Isaiah who “contrasts justice and law with the desolation of the desert. His message is extraordinarily timely, given the evidence in various parts of the world that our earth is being ravaged,” the Holy Father said. The theme for this year’s Season of Creation (Sept. 1-Oct. 4) is “Seeds of Peace and Hope,” which he challenges us to become to address the Earth’s pressing needs.
“On all sides, injustice, violations of international law and the rights of peoples, grave inequalities and the greed that fuels them are spawning deforestation, pollution and the loss of biodiversity.” He also referred to “the medium and long-term effects of the human and ecological devastation being wrought by armed conflicts” (https://tinyurl.com/yzwsbr9y).
For believers, Pope Leo said, environmental justice “is an urgent need that involves much more than simply protecting the environment.” Referencing the Seeds of Hope theme, the Holy Father says, “By working with love and perseverance, we can sow many seeds of justice and thus contribute to the growth of peace and the renewal of hope.”
What better time to work on healing our relationship with God, one another and our Earth than during the “Season for Creation,” which concludes on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi? In our diocese, the first step of this year’s celebration begins with a Pilgrimage for Creation on Sept. 6 in Davenport, sponsored by the Diocese of Davenport’s Social Action Office and the Secular Franciscan fraternity.
The pilgrimage (less than one-half mile) starts at 8 a.m. at the intersection of West River Drive and North Main Street and ends at St. Anthony Catholic Church. A Mass of Creation will follow at 9 a.m., with Bishop Dennis Walsh presiding. All of us are invited to participate.
If you can’t make it to Davenport that day, create your own Pilgrimage of Creation — a short walk or longer journey through nature or places of ecological significance — with family, friends, parish or another group. The late Pope Francis asked the faithful to make a pilgrimage to Rome or closer to home to commemorate Jubilee Year 2025 as Pilgrims of Hope.
In response, the Catholic Climate Covenant, along with other Catholic organizations, invites Catholics to “embark on pilgrimages focused on healing and renewal: deepening their relationship with God, one another, and the Earth.” For more information on this national initiative, visit the Catholic Climate Covenant’s website (https://tinyurl.com/3br8ut46).
The initiative aims to “inspire a renewed commitment to caring for creation and restoring humanity’s sacred relationship with the environment,” according to the national nonprofit, founded with the support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
A Pilgrimage of Creation helps raise awareness about our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. Some parishes and other diocesan entities are also making long-term commitments to stewardship of creation.
St. Thomas More Parish-Coralville’s Green Team, for example, plans to roll out a Laudato Si’ Action Plan in addition to other interactive events. (See Page 4 for events and dates.) The multifaceted, multi-year Laudato Si’ Action Plan responds to Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’’ (On Care for Our Common Home) to build on parishioners’ relationship with God, each other and all of God’s creation. The Green Team will ask parishioners and commissions for feedback and commitments related to the plan’s four pillars: Learning from the Earth, Hearing the Poor, Living Simply and Helping to Heal the Planet.
St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf adopted its Laudato Si’ Action Plan last year and the Diocese of Davenport submitted its plan in October 2022, hoping to inspire parishes and other entities to do the same. The Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton and the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Davenport previously submitted their own Laudato Si’ Action Plans to the Vatican platform.
How can we, individually and collectively become seeds of hope? Let us pray, as Pope Leo XIV asks, that “Almighty God will send us in abundance his ‘Spirit on high’ (Is 32:15), so that these seeds, and others like them, may bring forth an abundant harvest of peace and hope.”
Barb Arland-Fye, Editor
arland-fye@davenportdiocese.org
