Season of Creation

September 1 – October 4

From September to October each year, the Christian community celebrates the Season of Creation by praying and acting together to protect our common home. The season is celebrated by tens of thousands of Christians around the world annually (https://seasonofcreation.org) with encouragement from leaders of other faith traditions.

In 2019, the Creation Care Commission of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis joined in the celebration with action programs in the theme of “The Web of Life” and end the season with a St. Francis Feast Day Tree Planting at parishes across the archdiocese.

See highlights from 2019 or read our full report from the first year of an official program for the Archdiocese. Let’s continue our care for creation and our commitments all year long!

2019 Participation

Individuals: 20 | Parishes: 6 | Other: 6

Action Programs

Each week of the guide contains background information and commitment you can make for each theme of the day. Use this guide at any time of the year!

5 Week Guide

Download

View more resources for each themes of the day!

Tree Planting

On October 4, 2019 parishes, individuals, and other groups joined in the celebration for an Archdiocesan-wide St. Francis Feast Day Tree Planting.

Here are some information we provided about trees that is useful all year long!

Where to get trees

Soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) are a great place to get native tree during fall sales. If you’ve planning to purchase 1 or a few trees, we’ve compiled a list of tree sales for purchasing trees for an Oct 4 tree planting in or close to each of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis deaneries. Most of the SWCD’s order from Woody Warehouse, in Lizton Indiana, if that is closer to you. Woody’s offers trees from $9 each if you purchase more than 10 of a certain species.

Planning something for after October 4? You can order from the Indiana Wildlife Federation, or join the Arbor Day Foundation and receive 10 trees for $10. Both of these options ship in November. Also check with the Vallonia State Nursery after Thanksgiving (812-358-3621).

Have a existing forest or woods? District Foresters may be able to help.

How do I know if a tree is good quality? If you are picking out your own tree, check out this tree-quality guide from the International Society of Arboriculture.

If you have more options let us know!

How to plant a tree

Feast of St. Francis Event Guide

From the Catholic Climate Covenant, a St. Francis Feast day 90 minute program guide focused on the Church’s teaching on caring for creation and the poor, including tree planting. (If you don’t have 90 minutes, the program is designed to be able to use in individual parts).

Complete Feast of St. Francis Package (0.5 GB)

Download

The program includes:

Facilitator Guide
Participant Program
Video (16 minutes)
Blessing of the Animals Liturgy
Other prayer services (including tree planting)

2019 Events and Activities

ArchIndy Creation Care Commission Prayer and Climate Strike – Sept 20
Christ the King School
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Indianapolis
Our Lady of Lourdes
Saint Gabriel Parish, Indianapolis
Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Indianapolis
Sisters of St. Benedict Beech Grove

See what else is happened around the globe this Season of Creation!

Need help planning an outdoor event or prayer service? Check out the Celebration Guide from the Global Catholic Climate Movement or the Finding God in the Wilderness Prayer Service Guide and Feast of St. Francis Guide from Catholic Climate Covenant.

Thanks to Our Supporters
Thanks to the following groups who are providing monetary and in-kind donations to support the 2019 Living Laudato Si’ Sustainability Pilot Program and the 2019 Season of Creation.