Friends in the Diocese of Worcester,

The Season of Creation spans five weeks between the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1) and the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4).  This “time for creation” offers, in the words of Pope Francis, “individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live."

The Diocese of Worcester will be observing this season with a Green Mass on October 3rd at 1:30PM, celebrated by Bishop McManus at St John's Parish at 44 Temple St, Worcester.  After the Mass there will be a short talk in the church sharing personal perspectives on environmental justice and providing information about the Environmental Stewardship Ministry.  The liturgy for this Mass has been carefully designed to bring to light the important theme of Catholic Social Teaching, that we are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation.  The Mass is planned to support both in-person participation and viewing remotely online.  More information will be posted soon in the Events section 

of the Environmental Stewardship website.

The Catholic Climate Covenant, a USCCB program, announced their extensive plans in a recent press release called Catholics Launch Season of Creation with Healing, Hope and Action .  For a parish based activity, I highly recommend that your download and use the CCC Feast of St Francis Program.  CCC will also be offering a webinar series to discuss why Catholic Social Teaching is integral to our faith.  We will be distributing more details about the CCC webinars when they are announced.

 

If you are not already following us on Facebook, please check us out at https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentWORC and like the page to get updates.

With Hope,

  The Environmental Stewardship Ministry Team

      Pete Dunbeck, St Luke's, Westborough, Chair
      Fr Paul O'Connell, St Anne's, Shrewsbury
      Deacon Bill Bilow, St Anne's, Shrewsbury
      Gail Hickey, St Denis, Douglas
      Gina Kuruvilla, St Mary's, Shrewsbury
      Kevin Maldarelli, Sacred Heart, Hopedale

      Deacon Colin Novick, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Worcester
      Matt Canfield, St Mary's, Shrewsbury
      Madeline Colon-Usowicz, Sacred Heart, Webster 

      Louise Garone, St Mary's, Shrewsbury

      Deacon Mick (Martin) Beck, Our Lady of Good Counsel , West Boylston