During this season of fall, spend some time in nature praying and taking in God's beauty.

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O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons. 

As we welcome the autumn months, 
may the earlier setting of the sun 
remind us to take time to rest. 

May the brilliant colors of the leaves 
remind us of the wonder of your creation. 

May the steam of our breath in the cool air 
remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life. 
 
May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.
May the dying of summer’s spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.
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We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen.

​Copyright © 2018 University of Notre Dame
God of all seasons, we thank you for Autumn.

We thank you
for the touch of coolness in the air that gives us a new burst of energy,
for the coloring of trees that shows the creativity of the Divine Artist,
for the falling leaves that reveal the strength of the branches,
for the hues of fields that bring peace to our souls,
for the smiles on pumpkins that bring joy to children,
for the fall harvest which that brings us gratitude for the bounty of our land,
for this change of seasons that reveals the circle of life. 
God of all seasons, as you transform the earth, transform us by your Spirit.
Amen

​- Doug Leonhardt, S.J.
On October 4th we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a very popular and very important Saint in our Church. The following are resources to help you look at our world with the lens of St. Francis. Being good stewards of God's creation is foundation to who we are as Catholics. During this beautiful time of year, take some time to learn about how we can live like Francis and care for God's creation.

ST. FRANCIS: THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTALIST? – PODCAST

St. Francis of Assisi and the Church’s Teaching on the Environment - ARTICLE

Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation - Pope John Paul II

Download Laudato Si - Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment and human ecology

I Pledge to:
PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.
Check out this website to see more way that you can get involved in environmental initiative as a Catholic!

Catholic Climate Covenant