Care for our common home group
at St. Teresa's, Filton and St Vincent's, Soutmead, Bristol UK

Prayers

for the cry of the earth

and the cry of the poor

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God,

you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts

of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognise that we are profoundly united

with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

Amen

‘A prayer for our earth’ was published in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’.

Loving God,

open our ears to hear the cries

of our sisters and brothers

and of the earth, our common home.

Open our eyes to the scandal

of poverty and injustice

in the world.

Open our hearts to feel

the pain, the hurt,

the hunger of one another.

Open our mouths to speak

of the dignity of each person,

precious in your sight.

Open our arms wide

to reach out with compassion

so that all distance vanishes.

Open our hearts to share your love

and our hope of a world

where no one is beyond reach.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord,

Amen

Prayer by Catherine Gorman/CAFOD

Compassionate and loving God,

you created the world for us all to share,

a world of beauty and plenty.

Create in us a desire to live simply,

so that our lives may reflect your generosity.

Creator God,

you gave us responsibility for the earth,

a world of riches and delight.

Create in us a desire to live sustainably,

so that those who follow after us

may enjoy the fruits of your creation.

God of peace and justice,

you give us the capacity to change,

to bring about a world that mirrors your wisdom.

Create in us a desire to act in solidarity,

so that the pillars of injustice crumble

and those now crushed are set free.

Amen.

LINDA JONES / CAFOD

No one beyond reach

Live Simply, Sustainably

and in Solidarity

Synod Prayer

We plant the seeds that one day will grow

We water the seeds already planted,

knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces effects far beyound our capabilities.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning; a step along the way.

An opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results,

but that is the difference

between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders;

ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

CAFOD/Extract from 'A step along the way'

a reflection written by Bishop Ken Untener

We stand before You, Holy Spirit,

as we gather together in Your name.

With You alone to guide us,

make Yourself at home in our hearts;

Teach us the way we must go

and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak ... do not let us promote disorder.

Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path

nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity

so that we may journey together ...

and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You,

who are at work in every place and time,

in the communion of the Father and the Son,

forever and ever.

Amen.

The Synodal Prayer (abridged)

We plant the seeds ...

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Care for our common home group
at St. Teresa's, Filton and St Vincent's, Southmead, Bristol UK

We are a small group trying to help everyone in our parishes, including ourselves, to do something about our environment for the benefit of our world, ourselves and our childrens' children and beyond.

We are inspired by Pope Francis 2015 encyclical letter 'Laudato Si'' on Care for Our Common Home (hence our name).

"As Christians we are inspired to be good stewards of the earth, to conserve and protect God’s creation and the earth’s resource." [Catholic Bishops of England and Wales]