RENews

United in Prayer 

If I climb the heavens, Lord, you are there.

If I fly to the point of sunrise, your right-hand holds me fast. (Ps 139)

As the first night of spring begins, let us look to the future with hope and unite in prayer. 

Christians and all people of faith are invited to unite in prayer for our world. As the last light of the last day of winter fades on Monday 31st August, you are invited to light a candle, stand in your front garden at 

7 pm and spend some time in silence and prayer to remember all those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 or to violence this year. As this newsletter goes to print today the 1st of September we at St Raphael ask that you take some time in your day this week to stop, perhaps light a candle, and pray for all people and their families who have fallen victim to this horrible virus. 

Spring Time- Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home

TO CONTEMPLATE CREATION IS TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE

It is 5 years since the release of Pope Francis's encyclical letter to everyone living on the planet. In Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, he called for renewal or conversion in the way we relate to the world created by God and promoted St Francis, his own namesake, as an exemplar. Since then Pope Francis has joined the Catholic church to ecumenical movements, such as the Season of Creation, established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (1 Sep), and has now established Laudato Si Week.

Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home, Laudato Si’, is an inspiration during moments of difficulty. It encourages us to reflect on the values we share and create a more just and sustainable future, to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (n. 49). Laudato Si’ has been welcomed as a document of deep and abiding beauty, and it has prompted people around the world to reflect more deeply on Creator and creation. Its vision of integral ecology, which sees connections between how we treat God, nature, and each other, offers simple but profound truths about the bonds that unite us.

Pope Francis speaks to us- Children of God, to take care of the earth in which we stand on. Pope Francis renews the call to respond to the ecological crisis that can not continue and to take care of creation, a gift from our great God.  

Family Activity- Prayer reflection/Meditation

During the month of September take the time to become aware of God's presence in nature. During this meditation be surrounded by what is prayer, our fragile world, and what has been entrusted to us by God.