INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
According to Mark, Jesus bade his disciples ‘proclaim the Good News to all creation’. This sacred mission has a secular echo this year.
Wednesday’s International Day of Families is creation-focused. It aims to highlight how climate change affects families, and the role families can play in climate action.
While not using the phrase ‘care for creation’, the UN suggests pathways to advance climate justice, such as ‘instilling sustainable habits and climate awareness in families from an early age’. Thus ‘early childhood education can help build a sustainable economic model based on minimising waste and regenerating natural resources.’
As Pope Francis wrote in Laudato si’, ‘Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life’ (#213).
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for church communities in every land, that they lead the world by example in their care of creation.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, to further his earthly mission, Jesus sent his disciples out with good news for the whole of creation. In that spirit, let us pray for all God’s creatures.
READER
We pray for all the Christian faithful, that everyone will be charged with the missionary spirit called for by Jesus and urged constantly by Pope Francis. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the many Christian churches around the world, that in this week of prayer for unity they will bear undivided witness to the love of God and neighbour, in accordance with Jesus’ command. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who wield controlling power in the world of social media, that today’s World Communication Day will call them to put artificial intelligence at the service of wisdom. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for families of every kind, that this week’s International Day of Families (15 May) will highlight the impact of climate change on them and the role they can play in climate action. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers and all who give motherly care, that they will bless the children in their care with love and wisdom, and enjoy their life-long affection. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for nurses, especially those who work in the field of mental health, that International Nurses Day (12 May) will honour their dedication to the wellbeing of patients and the whole community. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those in later life unexpectedly experiencing homelessness, especially women, that their plight will be urgently addressed by policy makers and service providers. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for our parish and faith community, that the many gifts with which its members are blessed will be welcomed and used to make it one body, one spirit, in Christ. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who have died recently . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will all rise with Christ to everlasting glory. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
PRESIDER
All-creating God, you never cease to pour out on the church the gifts of your Spirit. Help us grow to maturity in Christ, your Son, our risen Lord, for ever and ever.