This 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time coincides this year with World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5th. Today’s liturgy, carefully prepared by our Faith and Justice Committee, evokes Pope Francis’ recent words on climate change: “The effective struggle against global warming will only be possible with a responsible collective answer that goes beyond particular interests and behavior and is developed free of political and economic pressures. On climate change, there is a clear, definitive and ethical imperative to act. The establishment of an international climate change treaty is a grave ethical and moral responsibility.”

Recently the countries of the United Nations adopted a new global agreement with 17 sustainable development goals to transform our world. These goals require the cooperation of governments, international organizations and world leaders. But they also require the cooperation of each one of us. In his recent encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis invites us to embrace our responsibility to care for all of God’s creation, especially for “our common home, the earth.” This weekend, two busloads of parishioners marked this day by going as pilgrims to the Kahnawake shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, “the Lily of the Mohawks”. Did you know that along with St. Francis of Assisi, she is one of the co-patrons of the environmental movement?

What else might we do to make our observance of this day truly “Catholic”? Here are a few suggestions from catechist Joe Paprocki (more info here).

1. Give praise to our Creator! How appropriate that the first sentence of our Creed makes mention of the fact that all of creation comes from God! Pray the Creed. Sing songs of praise!
2. Contemplate the wonders of God’s creation! Take some time to contemplate outdoors. Attend to the transformations marked by the coming of spring. “Faced with the glory of the Trinity in creation, we must contemplate, sing, and rediscover awe.” (St. John Paul II)
3. Pray, Pray, Pray! Pray for those who are at risk from exposure to environmental hazards. Pray for social justice for those who are poor, who suffer disproportionately from environmental destruction. Pray for those with an excess of wealth that they may share with others more generously. Pray for future generations that they may benefit from a healthy environment.
4. Create a Garden! Participate in God’s ongoing creation by planting and tending a garden. Share your “harvest” of flowers, fruits and vegetables with family, neighbours, or the poor.
5. Read and study Church documents on caring for God’s creation! One of the Church’s best-kept secrets is her long tradition of cultivating respect for God’s creation. Read up on what Scripture and Tradition have to say about ecology and the environment.
6. Take (and live!) the St. Francis Pledge: a solemn commitment made by Catholic individuals and institutions to honor God’s creation through prayer, study, action, and advocacy, initiated by the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change.