In an age where entitlement, pride and greed are normalised and even promoted - to the detriment of our planet, our societies and even our own souls - it is worth asking ourselves a simple question, following Socrates’ ancient admonition that “the unexamined life is not worth living”.
The question(s) I’d like us to ponder are: What is our purpose in life as human beings inhabiting God’s creation? Besides the why - which might be an entirely different discussion - what have we been created for?
I have some answers of my own, however I would very much rather you critically and carefully explored yours in light of the Word of God to come to your own conclusions.
We see in Genesis that, as God’s ‘image bearers’ (Genesis 1:26-27), we are tasked (and honoured) with the responsibility to work/cultivate/serve and keep/watch over the garden of Eden, God’s original and perfect creation of which we are an integral part (Genesis 2:15).
I think it’s fair to say that we all know how the story unfolds in following chapters. However, if you don’t know yet, or if you need a reminder, feel free to read the rest of chapter/book. Much of the time since then our understanding of our role within creation has focussed on domination rather than stewardship or more, seeing ourselves as part of and in relationship within the whole web of creation.
Fast forward a couple of ages, and we find ourselves with the fullness of revelation, Jesus Christ, God Himself, the Son of Man who “did not come to be served, but to serve […]” (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45). The very Person by whose breath we have received and keep ours, lived among us, in the same broken and challenging world and “[…] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped […]” (2 Philippians:6-7), choosing forgiveness, humility and service over self-interest, grandiosity and greed when He quite literally had every right and authority over life itself.
What does that tell about us about the tendencies of our world, our own ways and ourselves? Of course, given our brokenness and capacity for sin, it’s natural for us often to want more than we need, to feel that we are owed the things we so easily and regularly take for granted and to look to advance our own interests and agendas. But is that all there is to human existence? Are we simply here to follow our more base and natural desires and inclinations even at the expense of our neighbour, our future generations and the whole of creation? Or can we realise that God calls us into right relationship with the whole of God’s creation?
We are clearly seeing how the consequences our selfishness endangers not only the whole planet with high levels of land and marine deforestation and pollution, but also all its inhabitants, human and non-human alike. We also see how this self-centred, vainglorious and grandiose image we hold of ourselves as “supreme rulers of the earth” plays out against ourselves the very moment we remove or fail to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and true authority thus causing us to disregard His will and to extend our destructive tendencies outward onto each other and the created order.
I firmly believe we can and must do better with and by the Grace of God. For the sake of ourselves, for the sake of the created order and for the greater glory of God in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our parish has celebrated the Season of Creation during the month of September for several years as part of our action plan to become a LiveSimply parish. This year marks our achievement of this award, with CAFOD’s commemorative plaques being awarded to both of our parish churches this month.
Our LiveSimply Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for the world You created for us to share. We ask you to give us the grace to work together, to live more simply, more sustainably, and in solidarity with the poor. Through Christ our Lord.
Season of Creation 2025
Reflection:
Ezekiel's vision of 'Living Water' where “every living creature that swarms will live” (Ezekiel 47:9) invites us to see God's life-giving grace and sacramental presence flowing into places of desolation, renewing both creation and human community.
In a world facing a severe ecological crisis, this river becomes a call to repent from systems that exploit land, water, and vulnerable people. Creation is not a commodity, but a communion of interdependent life entrusted to our care. (From the Living Water Celebration Guide, available at https://seasonofcreation.org/resources/).
This month we join the world’s ecumenical community to celebrate creation through our weekly liturgy.
Season of Creation Events in the Parish
Sunday 6th September - BLESSING OF OUR GARDENS
Our fruit trees and parish gardens will be blessed after the 9.30 Mass at Immaculate Heart Of Mary to mark our thankfulness for our church environment. All parishioners are invited to attend the blessing and come into the hall for tea/coffee afterwards.
Wednesday 16th September - OUTDOOR 12.00 MASS
The parish Mass will be held outdoors in front of the “Calvary” at Immaculate Heart church at 12.00 noon. This gives us an opportunity to pray and renew our commitment to care for the environment in which we live. (Pray for good weather!)
Weekend 19th - 20th September - GIFTS OF CREATION AT ALL MASSES
Please bring a ‘Gift of Creation’ to mass, e.g. flowers or cuttings, plants, packets of seeds, pictures or photographs etc which demonstrate the wonder of God’s Creation, and drawings, especially children’s, will be most welcome. Please place these gifts in the boxes at the entrance to either church before each Mass. They will be taken to the altar with the Offertory procession.
Thursday 25th September - CELEBRATING LATER LIFE (CLL)
The donated Gifts of Creation will be distributed at September’s CLL Mass and lunch. What a wonderful way to celebrate God’s Creation!
Sunday 11th October - CELEBRATION OF HOSPITALITY AND BELONGING
For the Season of Creation come and find out why we must take more action to take better care of our Common Home.
SPARK Social Justice and the Leeds Diocesan J&P Commission is hosting a community screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, a vital 50-minute documentary unpacking the latest scientific evidence on the climate and nature crisis.
The climate and nature crisis is already reshaping life across the UK, but the solutions are in our hands. Getting involved is about building safer communities, cutting costs, and creating a better future.
If you care about
- local flooding
- Clean air
- The cost of living
- Food prices
You might want to catch this
An eye-opening film introduced by Chris Packam featuring leading UK scientists talking us through the impact of the climate and nature crisis on everyday life including:
- extreme weather
- food security
- health
- cost of living.
The screening will be followed by a short open discussion about what we can do and what this means locally– this film is only shown at in person screenings.
Bring a friend or neighbour, book your free seat asap (but please complete registration as numbers are limited). It is suitable for those aged 16+
There are many groups all over Leeds doing amazing things - connect with them and get involved with their work!
Green Futures speak on behalf of their youth group: (photo courtesy of Ilze Millere)
I was at the Civic Hall in Leeds at a crucial climate event, days before the heat wave hit Leeds. The focal point was a screening of a new film called The People's Emergency Briefing, about the climate and nature crisis and what it will mean for life in the UK.
The screening followed the publication of new research by Leeds-based climate scientists which warned that the Earth is accumulating heat at an accelerating rate. The film highlights the scale of the challenges we are facing with the climate crisis, the loss of biodiversity and the damage to rivers and our environment.
Stand out speakers included representatives from Beeston’s Green Futures youth group who pointed out the UK has a big part to play in turning around the climate and nature crisis we are in. They spoke directly to the MPs and local councillors attending
“Today, you are all sitting here as decision makers with the power to create a difference. Go greener, go further.”
The People's Emergency Briefing film features Chris Packham and includes leading experts in climate science, nature, health, economics and national security. The film clearly sets out what the climate and nature crisis means for everyday life in the UK; our discussions afterwards focused on local solutions and how we can all work together.
What can you do now to make a difference?
We are talking to Anne-Lise Lancaster, lead organiser of the event from Climate Action Leeds, about hosting a local screening with SPARK and the Justice and Peace Commission. Get in touch if you want to be part of a small planning group and learn event planning skills - or just let us know what you would like to see at an event like this.
There are many groups all over Leeds doing amazing things - connect with them and get involved with their work!
At the weekend I went to at event led by Plastic Free NW Leeds. Their campaigns include working to eliminate single-use plastics and also for cleaner, plastic free waterways in the UK. An eight-year-old girl tragically died in August 1999 after contracting an infection linked to sewage on a beach; there were countless examples from people of all ages with severe life changing illnesses. These stories returned to national prominence following the release of the Channel 4 factual drama, Dirty Business. The evidence produced at the time by Rob Forrester and Mark Barrow brought appalling failings to public attention.
The function of water companies is to protect public health and the environment. Sewage discharge should only happen in an emergency, but has become standard and accepted practice. Water companies are now self reporting and the findings show that major incidents were deliberately downgraded so no response was necessary. Experts say the water sector has been poorly regulated for decades and allowed water companies to under invest in critical infrastructure while paying out huge dividends to shareholders.
Total Spills in 2025: Untreated raw sewage was discharged into England's rivers and seas 291,492 times. These spills lasted a combined total of roughly 1.9 million hours.
The Environmental Agency is an independent Government regulator; their function includes protecting and improving the environment. Pollution data reveal that approximately 96% of the most serious (Category 1 and 2) pollution incidents reported to authorities was downgraded in 2025. Over the last decade, nearly 6,000 potentially major or significant sewage incidents were downgraded by the Environment Agency (EA) without a direct site inspection.
In response to exposés such as the Channel 4 documentary Dirty Business and revelations of downgraded pollution incidents, the Environmental Agency asserts that operations have improved under new leadership and new regulatory enforcements. The campaigners still maintain that rather than being independent, the EA are well on the way to being a client funded regulator.
Yorkshire Water is facing a major Environmental Performance Assessment downgrade to a rare "one-star" rating, due to rising pollution incidents and infrastructure failures. This places it among the lowest-rated water companies in the UK, driven by a 72% surge in pollution incidents and challenges with sewage overflows.
Kelda Holdings, a consortium of investment funds based in Sweden, Singapore and Australia, is the parent company of Yorkshire Water. Water companies have awarded over £112 million in bonuses and performance related incentives to senior staff over the last decade, despite being characterised by pollution scandals and underperformance of private companies.
Recent legislation aims to restore public trust and raise standards by introducing a new regulatory framework. The UK water action plan centres on the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 to tackle pollution and failing companies. Key actions include banning bonuses for polluting water bosses, enforcing independent monitoring of every sewage outlet, and enabling automatic criminal charges against executives who obstruct environmental investigations.
These conversations are all a step in the right direction and SPARK and the Justice and Peace Commission will continue to advocate for climate justice and care for our environment.
What can you do now?
Raise awareness in your networks about the environmental impact of plastic pollution – share ideas about a zero-waste lifestyle and think how you can all reduce or remove single use plastics https://www.zerowasteleeds.org.uk
Support local shops, cafes and pubs who commit to using sustainable, reusable or biodegradable alternative
From LSI MOVEMENT - resources to prepare parish hearts for the September Season of Creation: Begin with the Heart - then solar panels!
by Christina Leaño, Associate Director, Laudato Si' Movement
The world feels thirsty.
We see it in communities facing heat waves, floods, and conflict. But perhaps we feel it within ourselves too—a longing to slow down, to listen, and to rediscover God's presence.
Before we prepare for the Season of Creation, God invites us to prepare something even more important: our hearts.
Begin with the Heart
Our newest Dilexit Nos reflection reminds us that compassion doesn't begin with doing more—it begins by stopping.
In the silence of prayer, Christ renews our hearts so we can respond to the suffering of creation with hope instead of exhaustion. Explore the new reflection and Parish Guide to help your community grow together this summer.
That is the invitation of the Season of Creation 2026. Living Water begins long before September—not with planning events, but by allowing God's grace to flow through us into our families, parishes, and communities.
Our new reflection and Celebration Guide will help you begin that journey today.
As we continue this journey together, we are grateful for everyone who sustains the mission of Laudato Si' Movement. If you are able to support this work, we invite you to kindly make a gift.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.
May Christ renew your heart, so that together we may become living water for our common home.
In November 2023, just over 50 people were arrested for walking slowly over Waterloo Bridge in London as part of a series of protests organised by Just Stop Oil. The aim was to draw attention to the climate crisis, calling on the government not to issue new licences for the exploration of fossil fuels in the North Sea.
Arrested and charged under section 7 of the Public Order act 2023, seven of us were tried at Southwark Crown Court on the 22nd June 2026. The trial lasted until Friday 3rd July when the jury gave a majority verdict of “Not Guilty” to us all.
The prosecution had to prove that we significantly delayed the traffic crossing the bridge. Their evidence consisted of one and a half hours of CCTV footage from 4 cameras sited on or near the bridge. The prosecutor showed this without any commentary or explanation. The footage had no dates or times on.
In my statement following his presentation, I had the opportunity to tell the jury of my motivation for taking nonviolent direct action. I’d been a volunteer with the Catholic Institute of International Relations 1969 to 1971 and seen how reliant people were on the seasons. No rain in the rainy season meant no crops and no food.
Once home in the UK, I actively campaigned with J and P and other organisations to improve conditions for people and the environment in the Global South, writing to MPs, signing petitions, going on rallies and marches in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and at COPs in Paris and Glasgow. Climate change over the years became climate crisis and climate breakdown but still governments weren’t listening to the science. I was at my wits end knowing how people in the Global South were already suffering the effects. I talked about Laudato Si influencing me and my decision to take non violent direct action with Just Stop Oil on that cold, wet November day.
I also told the jury that I had no intention of significantly delaying the traffic and that our walk over the bridge would have been less than 20 minutes in a London rush hour had the police escorted us rather than walking backwards in front of us and then arresting us all in the middle of the bridge, closing the opposite carriageway with their vans full of more than 50 officers, before loading us up and taking us to various police stations where we spent the night.
The other defendants all told their own varied histories of involvement. We were from different parts of the UK of different ages and beliefs but all committed to the same cause.
In his summing up, the judge no longer talked of climate change but of climate catastrophe. The jury took more than 7 hours to come to a decision. The prosecutor was helpful throughout and said his job was not to win but to make sure justice was done. He will be advising the crown prosecution service to drop the 10 or more similar cases still pending.
The whole experience was scary and wearing and it was the hottest week of the year with 37 degrees in London. I’m relieved to be home and thankful for all the prayers and support I’ve had.
In day 2 of this heat wave, I have been listening to fears that our electricity grid needs investment to help us to cope with the increasing incidence of heat waves in the UK. The extra electricity load for significant numbers air conditioning increases the risk of blackouts ( and electric car charging) as happened in France recently.
The CAFOD / Live Simply group in our parish promoted the new CAFOD petition lobbying the Prime Minister to use our hosting of the G20 next year to cancel some third world debt to enable poor countries to support their populations better and to pass a new UK law supporting Debt Justice.
We are privileged in that we have been a major world economy for hundreds of years and have built up more wealth than many of the nations who are suffering greater environmental changes due to climate change. Yet our Government is borrowing more money to ‘keep us in the manner we expect’. Smaller country economies must raise the capital to help their people from displacement and natural disasters. In addition to the humanitarian aid from organisations such as CAFOD, Medicines Sans Frontiers and DEC, plus many others. But with their credit rating are worse than ours so their costs of debt are higher than ours.
It has recently been reported that a certain President has increased his personal wealth in the last 12 months by $1 Billion. Looking at the alleged multi-million payments made to various politicians do we really believe that they are seeking to do anything other than protect their current source of wealth and wealth?
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer across the world. It is not right or just.
So, please visit CAFOD, sign the petition and maybe write to your MP to ask for their support in achieving debt justice across the world. And if you can donate to their Venezuela appeal.
Local power for local people – Settle Catholic Church helps found the region’s first Energy Local club.
St Mary & St Michael Settle church in the combined parish of Our Lady and St Boniface has been central to the development of a community club that shares locally generated renewable energy at local prices. SELC, the Settle Energy Local Club, sprang from an 80-member Action on Climate Emergency town group with the aim of keeping power in local hands and challenging the grip of the big energy companies.
Parishioners from the LiveSimply group with Fr Frank Smith, the installers and two other directors of SELC
SELC has partnered with the Energy Local community interest company who have pioneered a means for matching electricity generated in the town with use by local households and businesses, rather than being sold off cheaply to the grid and bought back at inflated prices. When the Settle parishioners in their LiveSimply group heard about the plans they quickly set about raising £10,000 to hugely expand the modest number of solar panels already installed on the church hall roof during a major renovation upgrade in 2017. The response was so positive that two years ago the parish covered the roof with extra solar up to almost 16kW of PV panels. The church does not use a lot of that power so it can export significant amounts of green electricity to the benefit of local club members. The price they pay is agreed annually by the Club’s own members, currently about half normal price at just 14p per kWh.
And the church benefits from receiving that exact same amount when its electricity is matched to members’ consumption. This is done every half hour using the smart meter system. For this reason all Club members have to be signed up with the same supplier, 100Green, that are a Which? recommended ‘deep green’ company. The supplier handles all the billing and provides grid electricity to customers when there isn’t enough local generation; it also pays for exported surplus when that’s not being matched to local consumers, although of course at a more typical lower price.
Drone image from BBC Look North
SELC is currently small with one other medium sized roof full of PV panels on a family run sofa manufacturer, and solar generation from three domestic roofs. These support 10 consumer members who are typically saving 10 – 15% off their bills overall. The church stands to earn over £1,000 a year from its electricity.
The parish is really proud to be able to so visibly encourage and support the town to a lower carbon future. They achieved the LiveSimply award in 2020. Like the other changes they made towards the award the community energy club is an opportunity to put into practice Catholic teaching about social and environmental justice. Already there are other churches and community buildings lining up to join as generators.
Indeed, Settle is a town with a strong tradition of community action. It has a community-owned library and swimming pool and Age UK is typical of the many volunteer groups with 100 volunteers in a town of 4,500 people. A community hydro power scheme began in 2009 which is now working towards joining the energy club instead of just selling its power to the grid. This will provide generation in winter and overnight when solar isn’t available and immediately mean an extra 30 consumers could join the Club. A challenge for SELC’s five volunteer founder directors, one of whom is a Settle parishioner, is to keep the number of consumer members in balance with the generator members so that the Club functions as intended.
St Mary & St Michael Settle church in the combined parish of Our Lady and St Boniface
Their priority is to build on this early experience and expand the number of consumers alongside new solar generators, but they have already started investigating the feasibility of a community wind project which could enable much greater numbers to benefit.
Setting up the Club has required persistence.
“The number of bodies involved in the metering and management of electricity is quite mind boggling,”
said parishioner and Club Secretary Paul Kelly.
“It has taken a lot of commitment from the first members and a lot of tenacity threading our way through the barriers.”
Not least in the case of the church has been the supply agreement for green energy that all parishes are contracted into nationally. SS Mary & Michael was to be the founder generator but electrical regulations greatly delayed getting the church’s smart meter data to 100Green.
But SELC is an example of the capacity of local people to make a difference to their area and contribute to decarbonisation across the UK. It attracted the attention of BBC Look North last autumn. Filmed before the church was able to join the programme item can be viewed here. Paul is also encouraged by the Local Power Plan published by the Government in February.
by Christina Leaño, Associate Director Laudato Si' Movement
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28
July invites us to slow down.
Before the Season of Creation begins, we are invited to pause, pray, and allow Christ to renew our hearts. Ecological conversion doesn't begin with a campaign or an event—it begins by encountering God's love.
This month, journey with us through prayer, reflection, and preparation.
Restores What Is Wounded
A Journey Inspired by Dilexit Nos
What is your heart carrying today?
The Sacred Heart of Jesus welcomes every burden, every wound, and every hope. Our newest Dilexit Nos reflection invites you to experience Christ's healing love through prayer, Scripture, and a beautiful video meditation.
As we prepare for the Season of Creation, let us first allow our own hearts to be restored.
At the Austrian World Summit, Lorna Gold joined faith leaders from different traditions to reflect on a simple truth:
The climate crisis is also a spiritual crisis.
Technology and policy matter, but lasting change requires transformed hearts, moral courage, and communities rooted in hope.
Inspired by Laudato Si' and Pope Leo XIV's Magnifica Humanitas, faith communities continue to remind the world that caring for creation is inseparable from justice and human dignity.
Prepare the Season of Creation 2026
This year's theme, Living Water, calls us to renew our relationship with God, one another, and creation.
Our new Season of Creation Celebration Guide includes prayer ideas, community activities, liturgical resources, and practical tools to help your parish, school, family, or Laudato Si' Circle begin planning today.
Join thousands around the world who pray each month for our common home, communities affected by the ecological crisis, and all those working for justice.
We pray for young people and those who accompany them, that they may continue to find hope and inspiration in the beauty of God's creation amidst the ecological crisis.
The guide also features "Cooking Anew: From Scarcity to Communion," a moving reflection by Laudato Si' Animator Sashi Natarajan (India) on how sharing a simple meal became a lesson in gratitude, communion, and ecological conversion.
Your generosity allows us to continue bringing Catholics together in prayer, dialogue, and action, helping people around the world respond to God's call to care for creation with faith, courage, and compassion.
As we prepare for the Season of Creation, every gift becomes a sign of hope for the future we are working to build together.
The Season of Creation begins long before September.
It begins today, as we pause, pray, and allow God to renew our hearts.
May this month prepare us to become living signs of hope for our common home.
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The People’s Emergency Briefing
Hinsley Hall, Headingley, England
