‘Othering’ is the act of treating someone as if they are not part of a group and are different in some way. The September Messenger carries several articles that encourage us to reach out, to strive to understand, to listen to and acknowledge those that we may perceive as not the same as us. Thus, we have Sr Stan (Kennedy) urging us to support people on the margins of society; Rev. Ruth Patterson asks communities to ‘tread softly’ with each other as she reflects on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement; Peter McVerry SJ, talking about immigrants and refugees, reminds us that it matters little whether a person in need was born in this country or elsewhere;  we would do well to reflect on Kate Liffey’s observation: at the heart of things, most people ask the question ‘today, will I be loved?’

We celebrate the Season of Creation in September, and several articles address the climate crisis we face today. Seán McDonagh, Ciara Murphy and Jane Mellett each consider a different aspect of environmental concern and how we can each make a tangible impact in caring for our common home.

Along with reflections, prayer, scripture and our cookery and young peoples’ regular pages, The September Messenger has something to keep everyone occupied this summer.