The feast of Saint Francis of Assisi is a great date to reflect on one’s care for creation, as we are often wont to think all that matters in the spiritual life is our connection to God and other humans. The great Franciscan founder showed us by his life, including preaching to the creatures of the air and the field, that all of creation is listening to hear what we have to say. Is our message that of compassion and prudence, or rather convenience and the “throwaway culture”? Perhaps God himself is choosing to lend an ear by means of all God’s creatures, great and small. MEMORIAL OF FRANCIS OF ASSISI