Opening Mass for the Season of Creation
6.00 pm on Sunday, 31st August
in St. Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street, Belfast
Celebrant: Fr Tom Layden SJ, with interfaith contributions.
This Mass marks the beginning of the Season of Creation (1 Sept–4 Oct), a time when Christians worldwide
commit to prayer and action for our common home under the theme “Peace with Creation”.
1st September is also World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. In his message for the occasion, Pope Leo said, “Now is the time to follow words with deeds. “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience” (Laudato Si’, 217)”.
Season of Creation –Seminars
As part of the Season of Creation, you are warmly invited to a series of evening seminars exploring how faith, justice,
and care for our common home come together in today’s world. Each evening brings together voices from different
backgrounds to reflect on urgent challenges and offer paths of hope.
Wed 10th Sept, 7–9.30 pm
Migration: Challenges Today and Tomorrow
Speakers: Eithne McNulty (CADA), Fr. Pat Colgan (Missionary Society of St. Columba), and the NI Migrant Centre.
Belfast Jesuit Centre, 193–195 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2FL
Wed 17th Sept, 7.30–9.30 pm
Economics for Peace and Planet
Speakers: Prof John Barry (Queen’s University) and Rev. Dr Allen Sleith (PCI).
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, 49 Lisburn St, Hillsborough BT26 6AA
Wed 24th Sept, 7–9.30 pm
Many Voices, One Peace: Faith in Action in a Divided World
Speakers: Dr Naomi Green, Bishop Brendan Leahy (via Zoom), and the NI Interfaith Forum.
Windsor Hub, 22 Lower Windsor Ave, Belfast BT9 7DW