Each year, the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22. This year, the Creation Care Ministry is encouraging parishes and ministries to consider how to celebrate Earth Day over a 30 day period starting on April 21.
One way to do so it to celebrate with a special liturgy specifically composed for creation care. Approved in 2023, it is a collection of liturgies created to celebrate The Season of Creation, normally celebrated in the fall around St. Francis' feast day, but can be celebrated any time of the year. (See Season of Creation Guide.)
Creation care has to do with the spiritual nature of stewardship regarding God's creation. It is more than a mindfulness about our responsibility to creation; it is a path of Christian spirituality deeply imbedded in our human nature created by God. As it says in the introduction to the Season of Creation liturgy: "God the Creator pronounced the world 'very good' (Gen. 1:31), and gave humans the task to 'till and keep' the Earth (Gen. 2:15) as stewards and caregivers rather than owners (Ps. 24:1)."
Create a special celebration within your circle, and share it with the Diocese through photos we can share on our diocesan website. Send them to Janis Greenbaum or Kevin McGrane so we can share them with the rest of the Diocese and celebrate Earth Day together. Happy Earth Day, everyone!