‘A Question of Faith’ podcast : seeking the way, the truth and the life
In this episode of ‘A Question of Faith’, theoretical physicist Dr Peter Taylor reflects on how knowledge of the order within the universe can lead to spiritual insight
August 27, 2025
The A Question of Faith podcast (available on YouTube and Spotify) features broadcaster Wendy Grace in conversation with a range of guests who grapple with our search for meaning and truth. These questions are echoed in the scriptures and each episode has biblical question that resonates with the title question.
In the forth episode theoretical physicist Dr Peter Taylor reflects on how knowledge of the order within the universe can lead to spiritual insight.
Pope Leo XIV has renewed his invitation for Christians to join together on September 1 to celebrate the World of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which draws inspiration from the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the theme: ‘Seeds of Peace and Hope.’
Speaking during the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV recalled that Pope Francis extended the celebration to Catholics 10 years ago by instituting the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, saying prayer for Creation is “now more urgent and important than ever.”
“Together with all Christians, we celebrate it and extend it into the Season of Creation until October 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi,” he said. “In the spirit of the Canticle of Brother Sun, composed 800 years ago, let us praise God and renew our commitment not to spoil His gift, but to care for our common home.”
Creation Day, also known as the World Day of Prayer for Creation, is celebrated by most Christian Churches following an invitation by the Orthodox Church in 1989.
Grounded in an ancient Orthodox liturgical tradition from the 5th century, it is a day to praise God as Creator, commemorate the mystery of Creation in Christ, and inspire Christians to care for the created world.
The World Council of Churches, the ecumenical body bringing together Orthodox and Protestant Churches, released a new video about the day’s history and symbolism.
While many Catholic Bishops’ Conferences have been celebrating Creation Day since the 1990s, Pope Francis instituted it as the World Day of Prayer for the universal Catholic Church in 2015.
The Jesuit Pope then encouraged annual Creation Day celebrations by publishing official annual messages for the day of prayer.
“The theme of this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, chosen by our beloved Pope Francis, is ‘Seeds of Peace and Hope,'” he said. “On the tenth anniversary of the establishment of this Day of Prayer, which coincided with the publication of the Encyclical Laudato si’, we find ourselves celebrating the present Jubilee as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.”
Pope Leo added that “for believers, environmental justice is also a duty born of faith, since the universe reflects the face of Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and redeemed.”
Pope Leo recently promulgated the new ‘Mass for the Care of Creation’ formulary, with the Dicastery for Divine Worship, explaining that it was offered “with a view to its possible use on the next World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”
The new Mass formulary enables Catholic communities to celebrate Creation Day in a liturgical format for the first time, beyond the traditional ecumenical prayer services.
The Creation Day initiative is coordinated globally by the World Council of Churches, chaired by its Moderator, Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, in collaboration with various Christian world communions and partners.
The Pope Video: September 2025 – For our relationship with all of creation
Sep 2nd, 2025
This month, Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray “for our relationship with all of creation.” Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, he invites us to experience our interdependence with all creatures loved by God and worthy of respect and love.
His prayer intention for September comes during the Season of Creation. This is a special time when Christians of various denominations join in prayer and action for the care of the earth. We are also celebrating two important anniversaries: the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation, and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’.
Pope Leo XIV is encouraging us to discover God’s presence in creation and to feel responsible for our common home. Let us together pray through the video produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, in collaboration with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
Lord, You love everything You have created,
and nothing exists outside the mystery of Your tenderness.
Every creature, no matter how small,
is the fruit of Your love and has a place in this world.
Even the simplest or shortest life is surrounded by Your care.
Like St. Francis of Assisi, today we too want to say:
“Praised be You, my Lord!”
Through the beauty of creation,
You reveal Yourself as a source of goodness. We ask You:
open our eyes to recognize You,
learning from the mystery of Your closeness to all creation
that the world is infinitely more than a problem to solve.
It is a mystery to be contemplated with gratitude and hope.
Help us to discover Your presence in all creation,
so that, in fully recognizing it,
we may feel and know ourselves to be responsible for this common home
where You invite us to care for, respect, and protect
“Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert for our children.” Joint statement from Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury.
Peace with Creation
This year’s Season of Creation has as its theme “Peace with Creation”, inspired by the passage from Isaiah 32:14-18; “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” In a world of challenges and division, marked by war and climate change, how can we as people of faith create and work towards peace with creation?
The Season of Creation has a special significance for the Catholic Church, particularly since the late Pope Francis established 1 September as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October (Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) and celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment.
We hope that the following resources will help you and your parish community to celebrate the Season of Creation 2025. These resources are compiled by the Laudato Si’ Working Group of the Irish Bishop’s Conference and Trócaire. You can find further resources on the international Season of Creation website: www.seasonofcreation.org
Resources:
Sunday Liturgy Notes for Season of Creation 2025: This resource includes homily notes for each Sunday of the season, prayers of the faithful, music suggestions, reflections and Mass parts which highlight the call for “Peace with Creation”.
Ribbons of Peace – a short 10 minute liturgical moment that could be done within parish activities, at the end of the Sunday Mass or even at the start of parish meetings that occur during the Season of Creation.
Nurturing your family faith in nature: This resource from Trócaire is ideal for a children’s group, youth group or any family or community setting where people can explore their relationship with God’s Creation through reflection and activities.
Rubbish graveyard – a resource which helps to show people just how long it takes for items to biodegrade. You might create a space in your parish to display it. This is a helpful activity for children’s liturgy or youth group. With thanks to An Tairseach Ecology Centre.
A blessing for animals: On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (4 October ) parishes might like to invite people to bring their pets for a special blessing. This resource will help support this activity. “Praise be to you my Lord, with all your creatures.” (Canticle of Creation).
An ecological rosary: Slides to accompany an Ecological Rosary from the Laudato Si’ Movement.
Creation walk moments: adapted from the booklet by Father Brian Grogan SJ, ‘Creation Walk: The amazing story of a small blue planet’. You may use this resource in your parish community by setting up ‘moments’ around the church, or around your parish, to convey the different stages of the story of our universe. This resource will provide people with an opportunity to experience the wonder and awe of God’s creation and to become familiar with the story of our universe. Did you know that there is now a beautiful Creation Walk at Knock Shrine? You might consider bringing your parish group to visit it. You can read about it here.
Tree planting resource: engage your parish or diocese in tree planting initiatives this year. Thanks to ‘Easy Treesie’ we have all the tips you need and prayers for a tree planting service.
Video reflections: These video reflections can be used as part of liturgies, parish meetings during the season or linked to your parish website and social media pages. With thanks to Vivek da Silva from the Laudato Si’ Working Group.
A River Ritual: This is a resource for a ritual to be celebrated by a river or stream. This resource was created for a previous Season of Creation, however it can be adapted for use at any time. Did you know that every Irish diocese has a river or sea access point? It seems appropriate to offer a ritual prayer that we could celebrate near water. We hope that this opportunity to gather out of doors in “the cathedral of nature” will be a support and inspiration for all involved.
Brother River Meditation: A three-minute reflection of nature sounds and visuals. This could be used at the start of a liturgy or a meeting to help people reflect
Earth Day Prayer Service – Earth Day is celebrated on 22 April each year. This beautiful prayer service could be adapted for use at any time of the year, particularly during the Season of Creation. With thanks to the Care for Creation team in Balally Parish, Dublin.
TROCAIRE RESOURCES
School resources for the Season of Creation 2025 are now available. There are assemblies for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, as well as child and youth friendly versions of our ‘Ribbons for Peace’ activity. You can access the resources on the Irish Catholic Bishops’ website and the Trócaire Season of Creation page.
If you would like further information on youth activities for this year’s Season of Creation, or are interested in school/youth workshops or talks for the year ahead, please do get in touch.
Catholic Schools Week 2026 will run from 18th to the 24th January 2026
Catholic Schools – Normal Lives, Called to Holiness
“Holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith.”
— Pope Francis on Blessed Carlo Acutis
Introduction
Catholic Schools Week 2026 celebrates the extraordinary call to holiness in the midst of ordinary life. Inspired by Pope Francis’s reflection on Blessed Carlo Acutis—soon to be canonised as the first millennial saint—this year’s theme invites pupils, teachers, families, and parishes to explore the call to holiness as something both universal and accessible. Holiness is not for a few, but for all; not reserved for religious professionals or mystics, but for every student, teacher, parent, (and grandparent!) living each day in friendship with Jesus Christ.
Catholic schools exist to form individuals who know that their lives have a purpose and a calling. This year’s theme, “Normal Lives, Called to Holiness,” resonates with the central conviction that education is a path not only to knowledge and maturity but to sainthood.
“Each of us is called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do.”
— Gaudete et Exsultate, 14
Key Theme: Everyday Holiness
This theme offers a meaningful opportunity to speak to children and young people about how God calls each of us to holiness in the concrete circumstances of daily life. It allows us to:
Introduce students to modern saints like Blessed Carlo Acutis, who lived an ordinary teenage life with extraordinary faith.
Highlight saints who lived in families, went to school, worked in trades, or suffered illness.
Explore the meaning of holiness as a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, lived through prayer, service, courage, love, and joy.
Emphasise the role of the Eucharist, the Scriptures, and Christian friendship in forming a holy life.
As Pope Leo XIV recently affirmed:
“The saints show us that holiness is not about escape from the world, but deep engagement with it in the Spirit of Christ.”
Daily Themes
Each day of the week reflects a different dimension of our call to holiness:
Monday: Called to Holiness through Prayer Holiness begins with a relationship with God. Children will learn that prayer is the lifeblood of that relationship—from silent moments to joyful praise, from formal prayers to personal words shared with Jesus.
Tuesday: Called to Holiness through Love and Friendship Holiness is lived in love of neighbour, in kindness, forgiveness, and friendship. Inspired by the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Wednesday: Called to Holiness in Family Life – Grandparents’ Day A cherished tradition, this day honours the vital role grandparents and elders play in passing on the faith and in showing how holiness can be lived over a lifetime. Pupils will be encouraged to show gratitude and celebrate their family roots.
Thursday: Called to Holiness through Service and Courage Young people will explore how self-giving love and courage in the face of challenges form part of holiness. Stories of saints who served the poor, forgave their enemies, or stood up for what is right will be shared.
Friday: Called to Holiness through Joy and Mission Holiness is not grim but joyful! The final day focuses on the joy of the Gospel and how young people are called to be missionary disciples who share Christ through action and word in the world.
Support Resources
Resources for Catholic Schools Week 2026 will include:
Daily classroom reflections and activities (Junior Infants to Leaving Cert).
Suggested Scripture passages and short prayers.
Profiles of saints (e.g. Carlo Acutis, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Josephine Bakhita, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati).
Multimedia content developed in collaboration with CCO to support social media campaigns and classroom engagement.
A poster and theme logo for school display.
Pedagogical Integration
CSW 2026 aligns with the ethos of Catholic education and with current curriculum developments:
SPHE: exploring human dignity, resilience, and friendship through a Catholic lens.
Religious Education: drawing on themes of sainthood, sacramentality, and Scripture.
Wellbeing: understanding spiritual wellbeing as integral to personal flourishing.
Digital Literacy: engaging with Carlo Acutis’ story as a way of exploring positive online presence and ethical technology use.
Conclusion
Holiness is not an achievement but a gift—a gift that God offers to each of us in the ordinary rhythm of our days. During Catholic Schools Week 2026, let us joyfully proclaim with Pope Francis: “Do not be afraid to be saints!”
Catholic schools are communities where every pupil can discover that their life matters, that they are loved by God, and that they are called to be saints—not in some distant way, but right now, today, in the classroom, the playground, and at home.
“The measure of holiness stems from the stature that Christ achieves in us, to the extent that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we model our whole life on his.”
— Gaudete et Exsultate, 21
More information will be posted as available Declan
Parishes across Ireland are invited to unite once more in a Day of Prayer and Reflection for for the suffering people of Gaza on Sunday 24 August 2025.
Archbishop Eamon Martin, said: “The Catholic Bishops of Ireland dedicated the month of June to prayer for, and solidarity with, the suffering people of Gaza.
“Heartbreakingly, since then, the situation has deteriorated further. Innocent lives continue to be lost, many of them children and families while hunger, violence and devastation tighten their grip on a people caught in the crossfire.
“Across the parishes of Armagh and Dromore I have published a pastoral letter that echoes the urgent appeals of Pope Leo XIV, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Heads of Churches in the Holy Land, for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and respect for international humanitarian law. As Pope Leo reminds us, “Every human being has an intrinsic dignity bestowed by God Himself.”
“Ireland’s Bishops have condemned, in the strongest terms, the genocidal acts being carried out with the sanction of the Israeli government, actions that have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. Such disproportionate violence is described as “unconscionable… and immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively.” The ongoing suffering of hostages held by Hamas and the cruel withholding of their remains from their families is also acknowledged and unequivocally condemned. In the face of such darkness, this call to prayer is a call to hope,” Archbishop Martin said.
How Can We Respond?
On Sunday, all are invited to take part in 24 hours of prayer and reflection. Whether as a parish or in the quiet of your own home, please consider:
– Attending Mass and offering it for peace in Gaza – Spending time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament – Praying the Rosary for peace and justice – Lighting a candle at home or in your parish church – Making a small personal sacrifice or act of penance – Reaching out to your political representatives to advocate for justice and humanitarian aid – Supporting trusted aid organisations bringing relief to Gaza
Archbishop Martin concluded: “This is a moment for our nation to radiate the light of Christ into the darkness, a light of peace, of justice and of hope for our world. Let us stand together, as one body in Christ, for the people of Gaza and for all who long for a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land.”
Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator of Dromore and Primate of All Ireland.
RE SOURCE 