Let Justice and Peace Flow: Celebrating the Season of Creation
A Pastoral Letter on the Season of Creation
from Christian leaders in Saskatchewan
June 2023
[PDF]

Beloved of Christ,

The prophet Amos urges us to “… let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) in all aspects of our lives, including our care and regard for God’s wonderful Creation.

Beginning in 1989 with the first Day of Prayer for Creation established by Dimitrios I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the Season of Creation has become an annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for our common home. It has been increasingly observed by many churches in Saskatchewan, including those that we serve. The global Christian family is invited to deepen our relationship with God and each other by giving particular attention to
prayer, service, and protection of God’s Creation.

The Season of Creation begins on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and culminates on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology and animals. This Season offers a holy moment in the midst of our day-to-day lives to contemplate the fabric of life into which we are woven, to rejoice in the good gift of Creation, and to reflect on how we can better respect it. Pope Francis reminds us, “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God” (Laudato Si’, no. 84).

Oftentimes, those most drastically affected by climate change are already those who are vulnerable. We invite all people of faith and goodwill to join God’s mighty river of justice and peace, working towards climate and ecological justice and speaking out with and for the people, creatures, and habitats most vulnerable to environmental and climate injustice and loss of biodiversity.

In the love of Christ, our Saviour,

  • Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina
  • Most Rev. Murray Chatlain, Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas
  • Most Rev. Mark Hagemoen, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon
  • Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Bishop, Saskatchewan Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
  • Most Rev. Stephen Hero, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
  • Rt. Rev. Helen Kennedy, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle
  • Ven. Alex Parsons, Executive Archdeacon, Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon
  • Rev. Devon Pattemore, Moderator, Synod of Saskatchewan, Presbyterian Church in Canada
  • Rev. Darrell Reine, Convenor, Living Skies Regional Council, United Church of Canada
  • Rev. Josh Wallace, Church Engagement Minister, Mennonite Church Saskatchewan