Season of Creation

August 30, 2018

by By Judy Hilovsky, the Sooner Catholic

The Season of Creation began Sept. 1 with a Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends on Oct. 4, the feast day of Saint Francis, the patron saint of ecology.

Part of Pope Francis’s letter announcing the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” states, “As Christians we wish to offer our contribution toward overcoming the ecological crisis that humanity is living through. Thus, living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”

There are groups across Oklahoma that strive to practice the vocation of protecting God’s creation. Recently, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City chancery started a recycling program at the request of employees.

“We are very excited to start the program and see how it works,” said Tom Maxell, facility manager. A bin was delivered to the Catholic Pastoral Center as were containers for offices, desks and the lunch room.

At Saint Charles Community Organic Garden, the work of feeding the poor has been part of an ongoing mission. In 2007, the garden was built and funded by Justin Sine of Saint Charles' Boy Scout Troop No. 179 as an Eagle Scout project.

The garden has served as a source of fresh food for the wider community and food recipients, and a place to pray and relax. In 2016, the garden was expanded and remodeled for a total of 18 4-by-8-foot beds.

“Volunteers can choose any job: weeding, watering, checking for insects and diseases, and deadheading plants. No gardening experience is necessary and only requires about 10-15 minutes per visit to the garden,” Monica Knusten said.

Individual gardeners agree to share half or more of their crops with the Dorothy Day Center or other food pantry. The garden partners with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, which provides plants and seeds through its Urban Harvest Program.

Next to the garden is The Dorothy Day Center, a unique food pantry that serves individuals and families who cannot access local food pantries for many reasons, including chronic illness, lack of transportation, no money for gas, mothers with small children, and the working poor whose schedules are different from food pantry hours.

Anyone can contribute by leaving non-perishable food donations in a wooden bin located inside the southeast entrance of Saint Charles Borromeo. For information about volunteering, visit www.thedorothydaycenter.com.

Here are some ideas to implement in homes, schools and churches:

Grow food or a few herbs, plant trees for shade;
Drive less, walk and pick up trash along the way;
Don’t run water while brushing teeth and washing dishes. Dry clothes with sun and wind on a clothes line. Those with allergies can use drying rack in their homes;
Buy local from farmers, shops, and restaurants;
Reduce, reuse, recycle;
Work with neighbors to heal and regenerate the natural environment and increase the safety, security, health and well-being of the neighborhood;
Support public and private initiatives that promote water conservation, renewable energy, local food systems, tree planting, organic gardening and farming;
Store food in reusable containers, not plastic wrap or foil, to reduce waste. Avoid plastic whenever possible. Use reusables, such as coffee mugs, reusable bags, or cloth napkins. Commit to making one change during this time;
Stop using Styrofoam at parish functions. Styrofoam rarely can be recycled, and it takes 500 years to decompose in landfills;
Pray before and after meals, giving thanks for the food and those who help bring it to the table;
A four-part prayer service to be said after Mass each week was developed by The Catholic Climate Covenant. Holding this service outside may allow for a deeper experience. Visit bit.ly/CCC-PS to access this resource.

Judy Hilovsky is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

“O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, who are so precious in your eyes. … God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, God of mercy, may we receive your forgiveness and convey your mercy throughout our common home. Praise be to you! Amen.”

-- Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sept. 1, 2016