The Jesuit parish of St Ignatius in Singapore celebrates the Season of Creation with several programmes this year. The Season of Creation is held annually from 1 September, which is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron of the environment.
At the parish Place of Gathering, there is a banner that depicts a mighty river, which is the theme of the 2023 Season of Creation, “Let Justice and Peace Flow like a Mighty River,” taken from Amos 5:24. It calls on all peoples of good will to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.
The banner is in the format of a photo collage and showcases the parish Green Movement’s collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service Singapore, which shares their initiatives working with indigenous communities in Asia, empowering them to plant more trees through their programmes. There are two “trees of life,” which display origami cranes, paper butterflies, and birds made by the parish catechism children.
The Farmers’ Market took place on 2 September from 9 am to 1 pm at Sacred Heart Hall. It was organised by the Gardening Group. There was fellowship and gathering of the parish community for home-cooked goodies, vegetable and fruit produce, and potted plants that were on sale. The proceeds collected went to the parish Social Mission Fund.
On the same day and for the first time, there was a Nature Sketching and Journaling Workshop with artist Aimee Pestanol. Aimee and volunteers led the children to explore the parish garden. Afterwards they reflected on and sketched the specimens they had collected.
Additionally, the BaseCamp of the parish has created a video for Ecological Examen, which will be played before each weekend Mass throughout September.
The parish Green Movement has also prepared a self-guided Creation Walk and reflection. They started these reflection walks with the Laudato sí Reflection Walk several years ago, and have now designed this current walk around the theme of this year’s celebration. The invitation was shared through pulpit announcements along with a QR code and link for parish members to experience it on their own or with their families.
The parish Green Movement has been active in promoting awareness and care for creation in line with the vision of Laudato sí all these years. Their effort is much appreciated by the parishioners.