Some prayers and reflections for Autumn

We are delighted to share some prayers, reflections and quotes with you as we move on into a real feeling of Autumn and the changing of the Seasons.

Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus on 11 September 2022

This first piece is from Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus address on 11 September 2022.  As you read these words you will surely recognise yourself in them. The Holy Father said,

“Let us reflect on our relationships: do I pray for those who do not believe, who have drifted away, who are bitter? Do we attract those who are distant through the style of God, which is closeness, compassion and tenderness? The Father asks us to be attentive to the children he misses the most. 

“Let us think of someone we know, who is close to us and has perhaps never heard anyone say, “You know, you are important to God”. “But I am in an irregular situation, I have done this bad thing, that one…”. “You are important to God”, say to him [or her]. “You are not searching for him, but he is searching for you”.

Let us – men and women with restless hearts – be troubled by these questions, and pray to Our Lady, mother who never tires of searching for and taking care of us, her children.” 

Season of Creation

Did you know that the Season of Creation runs from 1 September – 4 October? We had a wonderful Faith Café on the topic on 13 September in which many wonderful prayers and pieces of poetry were shared on the theme of Creation. We were reminded of the many beautiful quotes from Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ – on care for our common home. We also shared some relevant pieces of poetry and reflections. We are delighted to include some of these below:

Excerpt from Aurora Leigh

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes —
The rest sit round it and pick blackberries.

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) 
From Aurora Leigh, Book Seven, (1856)

In the Fields

Lord when I look at lovely things which pass,
Under old trees the shadow of young leaves
Dancing to please the wind along the grass,
Or the gold stillness of the August sun on the August sheaves;
Can I believe there is a heavenlier world than this?
And if there is
Will the heart of any everlasting thing
Bring me these dreams that take my breath away?
They come at evening with the home-flying rooks and the scent
of hay,
Over the fields. They come in spring.

by Charlotte Mew

Laudato Si’ excerpts

Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another. Each area is responsible for the care of this family.  (LS42)

Our insistence that each human being is an image of God should not make us overlook the fact that each creature has its own purpose. None is superfluous. The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us.  (LS84)

Our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God.  (LS119)

What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up? (LS160)

Many things have to change course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change. (LS202)

In the meantime, we come together to take charge of this home which has been entrusted to us, knowing that all the good which exists here will be taken up into the heavenly feast.  (LS244)

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Creation is the primary Word of God – Saint Thomas Aquinas

It is only God who creates. Man merely rearranges. – Saint Thomas Aquinas

ENDS