A Journey Through Creation: Our Lent Devotional

As we enter the season of Lent, we're delighted to share a special devotional booklet that has been written from the heart of our community at St Katharine Cree. This six-week journey through creation reflects the vibrant spirit of our Spanish and Portuguese-speaking congregation, whose members have brought such richness to our historic Guild Church for Workers in the City of London. It has been produced by Kitty Montero Junca who coordinates our English classes and community outreach.

Inspired by Community, Rooted in Creation

This devotional takes us on a remarkable journey across six stunning natural locations in Latin America and Africa: from the biodiverse Madidi National Park in Bolivia to the towering palms of Colombia's Cocora Valley, from the unique wildlife of Ecuador's Galápagos Islands to the hidden beauty of Peru's Gocta Waterfall. Each week explores a different aspect of God's creation, inviting us to see His presence reflected in the natural world while drawing profound spiritual lessons for our Lenten journey.

A Celebration and a Challenge

The devotional is both a celebration of what God has already done in our midst and a challenge to see His presence more clearly in creation around us. It reminds us that we are called not just to admire God's handiwork, but to be caretakers of it. This ensures that future generations may also witness God's glory in the world He has made.

Grounded in St Francis of Assisi's beautiful Canticle of Creation, each week offers a reflection on themes like stewardship, rootedness in faith, unity in diversity, protecting the vulnerable, seeking truth, and embracing our unique roles in God's kingdom no matter how small they may seem.

For the Whole Journey

Whether you're part of our community at St Katharine Cree or joining us from afar, this devotional invites you to slow down during Lent and notice God's presence in the wonder of creation. Each week includes a reflection, a Bible verse, and a question to carry with you through the days ahead.

As we journey together from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, may we see ourselves more clearly in the truth of God's light and the hope of His victory.

Lent Devotional (English).pdf

Download PDF • 30.11MB

alasitas festival

On 24 January, many of our congregation at St Katharine Cree came together with the Confobol Bolivian community to celebrate the Alasitas Festival, sharing traditions, faith and community through music, dance and a lively marketplace.

Alasitas has deep roots in indigenous Andean and Catholic traditions. Originally it celebrated Ekeko, the god of abundance, who many believe can make thoughtful, hand-crafted offerings come to life. Market consumers in Bolivia would traditionally buy miniature versions of what they hope for and offer them to Ekeko, often with a lit cigarette, a prayer, or a sprinkle of alcohol in acknowledgement of Pachamama (Mother Earth). Many would also bring these miniatures into Catholic churches, where priests bless them with holy water, bringing Andean customs to Catholic faith. Speaking in Peru in 1985, then Pope John Paul II said of the indigenous veneration of both Pachamama and Mary that:

"Your ancestors, by paying tribute to the earth, were doing nothing other than recognizing the goodness of God and his beneficent presence, which provided them food by means of the land they cultivated."

At St Katharine Cree, we were delighted to use our space to honour the Bolivian community while sharing our faith by gifting Epiphany home blessing kits, inviting prayers for peace, welcome, and blessing in people’s homes. Members of both communities, including Bolivians, Peruvians, Ecuadorians, and Colombians, showed their shared hospitality and respect for one another by selling and buying handmade goods, second-hand clothing, books, food, and drink.

Visiting the Mansion House

Members of our English classes were welcomed recently to Mansion House by Dame Susan Langley and enjoyed a special tour of this amazing building.

It means a lot for migrant workers in the City to be warmly welcomed into the heart of its civic life. We 'unsquare the Square Mile' - as the Lady Mayor has called on us all to do - when all are welcome and every contribution to our prosperity is seen and valued.

Huge thanks to Dame Susan Langley, her Mayoral Consort Gary and the staff of Mansion House who made us so welcome and led our tour, especially Catherine, Eleanor and Peter. They helped show City of London Corporation at its most inclusive.

Dame Susan Langley is the Alderwoman of our ward of Aldgate and our own Revd Josh Harris is her Chaplain for this mayoral year.

We welcome invitations from other London venues to host tours and workshops with our English learners, who love to find out more about the country and city which has become their home.