Solar panels are seen in this aerial view of St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island. The monastery will be the site of an outdoor interfaith "Season of Creation prayer service on Saturday, Sept. 24. (Provided photo)

ROCK ISLAND — In an effort to deepen connections with God, the Earth, and all of creation, the Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Mary Monastery are planning an outdoor interfaith prayer service for Saturday, Sept. 24. It will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on the monastery grounds at 2200 88th Ave. West.

“This Season of Creation event is an outreach to our local community to join us in renewing our relationship with our Creator and all creation through prayer and action,” the Benedictines said in issuing the invitation.

The monastic community has lived and served in the Quad Cities area since 2001. The monastery grounds feature many sustainable practices, including geothermal and solar energy, native prairie plantings, and food-producing gardens.

In 2019, the Sisters formed a Creation Care Team to promote care of the earth at St. Mary Monastery. In March this year they signed a statement of commitment to the Laudato Sí Action Plan, with goals from the second encyclical of Pope Francis, “Laudato Sí: On Care for Our Common Home.”

In the document, the pope linked environmental challenges to the economic, political, social, cultural, and ethical issues of the day.

The Benedictines said the prayer service offers another opportunity for them to partner with others who promote ecological awareness and respond to the cry of the poor.

For more information, visit smmsisters.org.