A Franciscan Care for Creation Programme

On 4 June 2026, children and adolescents from the St Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity participated in the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Experience: Brother Sun, Sister Mangrove, a Franciscan Care for Creation programme held at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Hay Dairies (Goat Farm) and Bollywood Farms, a 10-acre organic farming collective and education center located in the rustic Kranji Countryside of northwest Singapore. It is a popular, family-friendly destination for escaping the city, featuring chemical-free produce, interactive nature trails, and farm-to-table dining.

Accompanied by Friar Vernon Chua, Postulants Timothy and Matthew, and OFS member Gerry, the young participants, aged 10 to 15, embarked on a day of discovery, reflection, and encounter with God’s creation.

Despite Brother Sun blazing fiercely at what feels like 37°C, we found shelter beneath Sister Mangrove and the generous canopy of her sister trees. As we walked through the wetlands, participants were invited to reflect on several questions:

• What story is nature telling us?
• How are all living things dependent on one another?
• What happens when one piece of the ecosystem disappears?

While some eagerly searched for crocodiles, mudskippers, and horseshoe crabs, God surprised us with encounters of a different kind – squirrels darting through the trees, giant spiders weaving intricate webs, and fish leaping from the water.

Izech reflected deeply on the day’s experiences: “Animals are very interesting. With so little forest now, we cannot see them often. I am connected to them because we all share a space. We have benefited from the mangroves, so we must protect them.”

The children were encouraged to ponder another important question: Why did God create so many different creatures?

One highlight of the day was feeding and interacting with the goats at Hay Dairies.

Freya reflected, “I saw lots of goats and different species of birds. We all need each other.”

Kyrah observed, “This is like the olden days, so different from now. There are fewer trees today, which means more carbon dioxide.”

With a hearty farm-to-table lunch at Bollywood Farms, the group had refreshing blue pea soda, roselle soda, lemongrass tea, moringa tea, and fried moringa leaves. Energised by the meal, the children explored the farm in search of the blue pea, roselle, lemongrass and moringa plants and saw how they are grown.

Siena shared, “There are many different plants grown for us to eat. When food doesn’t need to be transported from other countries, we use less plastic.”

Later, participants were invited to imagine what creation itself might say if it could speak, especially about the trash that had washed into the mangrove areas.

Timothy noted sadly, “There is too much trash in the mangroves, and because of that there is so little wildlife.”

Drawing connections between faith and ecology, Matthew reflected, “In the Holy Trinity, the three Persons are interconnected, just as everything in nature is interconnected. To grow in the likeness of God is to care for creation.”

Jakeb appreciated the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. “We got to see animals that we do not usually get to see. It is sad that people make money out of them. We should see them in their most natural setting.”

Throughout the day, the children experienced first-hand the Franciscan understanding that all creation is interconnected and reflects the goodness of God. The programme helped them discover that caring for creation is not merely an environmental concern but a Gospel value rooted in justice, peace, and love for all God’s creatures.

As St Francis of Assisi reminds us, all creatures are our brothers and sisters. Through Brother Sun and Sister Mangrove, our young participants encountered the beauty of God’s creation and were inspired to become faithful stewards of our common home.

Friar Vernon reminded: “Of all God’s creation only we humans have the image of God, we have a greater responsibility towards care of other creations since they bear only the footprints of God. We must become good stewards for God.”

This article was written by Geraldine Teo, OFS, National Council Formator.