Church groups across the land are responding to Pope Francis’ call to honour and care for the environment with country walks, allotment vegetables, a photographic competition and plans for a ‘car-free Sunday’

A year ago, Pope Francis declared that Catholics would join their Orthodox Brothers and Sisters and other Christians to formally mark 1 September as World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation. It is the first time an official day for Creation care has appeared in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Of course, all year round the liturgical and sacramental nature of the Church contemplates God’s ongoing deeds in and for all Creation. However, the Pope is drawing attention to the eco crises of our age and urging Catholics to respond to them.

In his encyclical Laudato Si’ Pope Francis calls all of us to an ecological conversion and spirituality of life that can heal our common home. A wide variety of initiatives are now taking off across the dioceses.

St Joseph’s, Ansdell – a livesimply award parish in Lancaster Diocese – showed how the prayer service on the day itself might be planned and organised. Dr Paul Kelly, a parishioner and member of both Lancaster Faith & Justice Commission and the National Justice and Peace Network Environment Working Group, used an amalgam of material from the Cafod vigil service, the Columbans’ ecumenical service, the US bishops’ website, and Laudato Si’ itself.