POPE FRANCIS designated the period from the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1 to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4 as the Season of Creation. The theme this year is Jubilee for the Earth, marking the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, the pope expressed concern for the difficulties in environmental protection encountered by developing countries. He indicated that during this Season of Creation, all Christians should trust the God of creation more, and join in prayer and work for the care of our common home.
A jubilee is also a time to repent. Pope Francis observed that we have broken the bonds with the Creator, with other people and with the rest of creation. Now we need to restore the original relationships. We must first return to God because we cannot live in harmony with creation if we are not at peace with the Creator. We need to think once again of other people, especially the poor and the most vulnerable.
Caritas Internationalis also issued a statement pointing out that during the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, we are increasingly aware that humans belong to a common home. The pandemic has also enabled us to realise how unjust systems created the environment for the spread of diseases. Now people need to deal with this health emergency with a pandemic of love and solidarity.
While the situation has resulted in illness and death, has also placed heavy pressure on livelihoods. The consolation is that amid so much misfortune and social distancing, people may socialise less in general, but they spend more time hiking with their families.
Speaking of hiking and outdoor activities, in recent years, local Catholic organisations have endeavoured to initiate excursion and environmental protection projects. These programmes not only nurture hearts but also people them to get closer to nature and understand rural culture.
The Diocesan Working Committee for Following Thy Way launched renovation work on the Star of the Sea Mass Centre in Sai Wan Village, Sai Kung, in the middle of this year. The hope is that in future, the work will allow visitors to enjoy relaxing excursions while appreciating the beauty of nature, the spirit of the missionaries and the grace of God.
Another project in Sai Kung is the renovation of the salt fields in the village of Yim Tin Tsai. With a nearly three century history, the village has integrated Catholicism and the Hakka culture. The revitalisation allows visitors to gain a better understanding of how villagers in the old days worked with nature and developed economic activity by harvesting salt from ocean tides.
At the end of last year, in collaboration with arts and cultural organisations, the village staged the Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival which aimed, through arts, to explore the relationship between humanity and nature.
Throughout history, humanity has abused the resources bestowed by God and damaged nature.
In this period of time, we ask God to help us to respond to the cries of nature and, by taking a sustainable life as a basis, strive to protect our common home. SE
