The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Midland has begun celebrating the Season of Creation, which started Sept. 1 and runs to Oct. 4 on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Although the Season of Creation isn’t an official liturgical season, it resembles it with a dedication to prayer and reflection as the faithful celebrate God and His creation, Sister Jeanne Wiest, the church’s pastoral associate, said in the Sept. 6 church bulletin.

Churchgoers can reflect on God’s mission to care for creation and respond to its needs.

The church’s Prayer Committee of the Pastoral Council launched a reflective prayer opportunity on the parish’s Facebook pages, Wiest said. Parishioners were asked to submit photos of nature along with a Scripture verse to jeanne@assumptionmidland.org. She will post photos daily for use in prayer and reflection.

The traditional blessing of animals will occur in the south parking lot at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Eucharistic liturgies on that weekend, which culminates the Season of Creation, will include prayers for celebration and care of creation. An outdoor mass at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, will help with the experience, Wiest said.