Last year in September 2025, we had a Harvest Mass at St Paul’s church at 11:15am on Sunday, September 28th. In previous years , we have had an outside Mass at the 5:30pm Vigil Mass at St Timothy’s. I think the last one we had, 2 years ago, there was a change of plan because it was wet. (Please correct me of this is wrong)

We hope to announce our plans for 2026 soon once our new Parish Priest (Canon MADDEN) agrees to our suggestions or he may have other ideas.

Pope Leo’s for the care of creation Is to be found in

this message

The theme for the Season of Creation 2026 comes from In Dilexit written by Pope Francis, his last Papal Encyclical. You can find this on the Vatican website.

"The wounded side of Christ continues to pour forth that stream which is never exhausted... For his love alone can bring about a new humanity." (Dilexit Nos, 219) 

This is the source of this year's theme, Living Water. Before it becomes a river that renews the world, it first renews us.

Overview of the Theme

The Season of Creation is celebrated from September 1 to October 4, and in 2026, With this year’s theme “Living Water”, we are reminded that if we receive and accept the water from the Temple - God’s healing grace - then ‘rivers of living water’ will also flow within us. As we are healed and renewed - living water will also flow from us for the healing of others and of creation itself. We are called more than ever to bear witness to our Christian vocation to care for God's creation and restore right relationships with one another and the Earth.

Another page of interest is from the Catholic Bishops in England and WAles

As a Live Simply parish , every parishioner, young or old, male of female, busy or not busy, should always be finding ways of living simply. Two good ways would be :

• to support the events that are being planned in our parish to celebrate the Season of Creation. There may be other events announced later. The Laudato Si Circle are organising the events and if anyone wants to help them, please contact Brother David of St Timothy’s .

• or to learn more about creation via various resources. Some resources will help you focus on different aspects of Creation (briefly or at length) each day during the Season of Creation. We realise that many of you have little spare time so we will suggest some simple resources below. If you have more time, you can search on Laudato Si websites for more resources and decide for yourself which ones you want to follow.

Harvest is traditionally a time of celebration across the world where communities gather together to enjoy the fruits of their labour and offer praise and thanks to God for the richness of our Earth. Harvest also calls for a renewed focus on protecting our world so that all may prosper from God’s creation.

Fr John Southworth has given great encouragement and support to this event. Also the Laudato Si Circle and others have worked hard to make sure that the Mass and gathering afterwards helps us all to celebrate but also to commit themselves to protect the world.

Beforehand, children from our parish school will be decorating the pews in St Paul’s church with their harvest artwork .

During Mass the Beaver group will be present the offertory and the junior choir will provide music.

The Harvest Mass prayers and readings will be spoken in languages in recognition of the cultural diversity of our parishioners.

There will be a social in the parish club after Mass and parishioners are invited to bring a packed lunch.There will be games held for the children.

We issued an insert in the newsletter a couple of weeks ago.