September 11. EACH ONE TEACH ONE.  (From Becoming Eco-Friendly Families)   Dominic was a science teacher, Phumzile a learner with a great interest in animal trafficking, particularly of rhinos and pangolins. Her uncle Boris was a big game hunter.  Imagine the debates and the arguments that raged about the merits of trophy hunting or any type of hunting.  Who knows all the facts, the truth and the financial implications of game farming?  

Environmental awareness is still a relatively new science and a growing field of knowledge, so it may be children from nursery school up who can teach their parents, who may have had little exposure.  Young children learn even just through growing a bean plant, share their observation and so build a knowledge base. We parents can tell traditional stories of Jack and the Beanstalk but also revisit traditional folk tales and fairy tales of talking animals. TV has so much educational material, but in our families do young and older adults share from their particular perspective. Important and ethical issues for families are around the growing body of debates on climate justice, research into renewable energy or recycling, the place of AI and other technology.  Together families can devise their own circular economy projects, reusing items, practicing recycling, making compost, – all on the way to become eco-friendly families!

Adult education, self-empowerment for eco-friendly decision-making, supporting community initiatives and integrating family-centred intergenerational approaches into policies can ensure meaningful climate action.  Advocacy, by all for all, is a necessary attitude towards a co-responsible way of life with the ideal of “Each one, teach one” being adopted beyond families by those in the workplace and areas of control and power. 

It is important that the SEASON OF CREATION is ecumenical and the theme of Water can be built into the teaching at all levelsand in all kinds of groups. The 7th Laudato Si goal of community involvement and empowerment is a helpful vehicle and a challenge towards advocacy on spiritual and practical levels.

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?“ Luke 6: 39-42.  Pope Francis: The contemplation of creation allows us to discover in each thing a teaching which God wishes to hand on to us.  LS 85.  Authentic development includes efforts to bring about improvements in the quality of human life which involves settings in which people live. These influence the way we think, feel and act in our rooms, homes, workplaces and neighbourhoods, as we use the environment as a way to express our identity. If it is chaotic, filled with noise and ugliness it makes it more difficult to keep calm, relaxed and happy.  LS147.   Eco-tip and prayer.  As a family group, face to face or on social media and whatsapp choose to reflect and share on current ecological issues.

DAILY FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.