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April 16, 2021
The 51st annual Earth Day is this Thursday. As a High School student I remember the first as having a very hippy/ age of Aquarius feel to it. I really didn’t think fifty years later, we’d still be observing the day, but I am of the opinion that it is more important than ever. I’ll be offering special prayers for Earth Day at 8am Mass on Thursday. Come pray with me and have breakfast afterwards at the Sunrise Restaurant.
In 2015, Pope Francis wrote an encyclical on the environment entitled Laudato Si’: (“Praised
Be You”) On Care for Our Common Home. In it, the pope laments global warming and environmental degradation and calls all people of the world to take "swift and unified global action." The Pope also calls on the world to “dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet”. Pope Francis has reminded us that everything is connected in God’s Creation, and we must be aware of the bigger picture and the connections that bind us closely to each other and our common home. Do you agree with the Pope that the Earth, our common home, is falling into serious disrepair? In recent years there has been a very heated discussion about the causes of global warming. What do you think? Let’s have coffee after Mass on Thursday and dialogue. And if you can’t make it, hopefully we can all pray:
Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good,
advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you! Amen.