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In view of the concerns of so many throughout the world, the devastation caused by changes in patterns of life and natural disasters, it is time for our catholic communities to examine the teachings of our Church and develop plans of action for the enhancement of the earth and protection of all created beings.
On this web page, in the spirit of the Laudato Si’, we hope to share the teachings of our Church as they are acted upon in the Archdiocese, our parishes, and diverse ecclesial movements. It is a true human tragedy when few individuals look upon our times and see everything through the prism of politics. They forget the Divine Mandate given to us by God from the beginning in which He proclaimed all that was created was good and each person is a steward of the gift of Creation.
ABOUT
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It might come as a surprise to some but religious leaders and theologians have been recognizing in our Catholic Social Teaching a clear direction with a common purpose. The United Nations took up issues of the environment declaring a worldwide celebration of a Day for the Environment in 1973. Two years previous, Saint Pope Paul VI noting the eightieth anniversary of the “Rerum Novarum” of Leo XIII wrote: “Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an ill-conceived considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it…Not only is the material environment becoming a permanent menace—pollution and refuse, new illness and absolute destructive capacity—but the human framework is no longer under man’s control, thus creating an environment for tomorrow which may be intolerable.” (21)
This twentieth-century prophet was warning us about what we are now experiencing throughout many nations, including our own. Pandemics have plagued our societies, settled cities have suffered the ravages of “storms of the century”, wars are being fought over the lack of resources, and men, women, and children have had to flee violent uprisings and cease to exist where they have dwelt for millennia. The dignity of humanity is not seen as God’s gift but is defined on the basis of the amount of power possessed, the size of houses built, the value of material things possessed, and most recently the numbers of weapons had to defend those very signs of affluence.
What Pope Paul declared has been repeated time and again by his successors: Saint Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and most recently, Pope Francis. Each has defined for us a path back to righteousness which Jesus proclaimed again and again from the Sermon on the Mount to His vision of the final judgment as written in Matthew’s Gospel.
LAUDETE DEUM
This was the message that Saint Francis of Assisi proclaimed by his life, his canticles and all his actions.
In this way, he accepted the invitation of the biblical Psalms and reflected the sensitivity of Jesus before the creatures of his Father: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these” (Mt 6:28-29). “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight” (Lk 12:6).
How can we not admire this tenderness of Jesus for all the beings that accompany us along the way!
SEASON OF CREATION
Advent Online Book Discussion Series
You Are Invited
3-session Online Conversation on Robin Wall Kimmerer’s The Serviceberry
Enter the holiday season reflecting on reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude, inspired by a book that “celebrates the exact opposite of the season’s crass commercialization,” John R. Platt, NCR.
Mondays in Advent:
Dec. 1, 6:30 – 7:45 pm (pages 1–38)
Dec. 8, 6:30 – 7:45 pm (pages 41–82)
Dec. 15, 6:30 – 7:45 pm (pages 85–105)
Register here by November 25
For more information, contact a sponsor:
Religious Organizations Along the River
Sisters of Charity – NY
Ursulines of the Roman Union
Dominican Sisters of Hope
The format will include prayer, reflection, small group discussion, and large group sharing.
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Reflections
“God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Came to serve and not be servedAnd Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received now freely we will giveWe must go, live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken, we must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action, we must goFill us up, send us out
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God…” ~ Tim Hughes
These words by Tim Hughes, a British worship leader, singer, songwriter, and Anglican priest reflect the Judgement of Nations in Matthew 25:36-40. This is what we, as Catholics are taught in Catholic Social Teaching. And, St. Ignatius Loyola’s Ignatian Social Justice Ministry has taken these words from contemplation into action.
For the past four years, parishioners involved in Social Justice Ministry have actively involved in Migrant Accompaniment. The first action was in January of 2021when Ignatian Social Justice chair, Laura De Boisblanc contacted Fr. Brian Strassburger, S. J. at the Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries to arrange an immersion trip.
Fr. Brian invited the group to “come and see” how the Jesuit Ministry in McAllen, Texas and Reynosa, Mexico was ministering to the migrants fleeing their homelands in 2021. This was a transformational experience for all and upon their return, they wanted to offer immersion trips to others. Over the past few years, a core group led by Laura De Boisblanc and Christine Meyer, included Dolores Troy Quinn, Terry Quinn, Anne Melanson, Regan Orillac, Laura Cronin, Jimmy Coffey, and Jim Skarzynski who went on either or both immersion trips to Mexico and Texas with Fr. Strassburger, S. J. or to Mexico and Arizona with the Kino Border Initiative.
Not only did they observe or “see” what was happening on the southern border, they helped with the activities and interacted with the migrant families. Moved by this experience, they organized ISJ to work with Team TLC NYC, a non-profit group who welcomed migrants at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The next year the NYC migrant situation changed, and Team TLC NYC opened the Little Shop of Kindness. Not only did ISJ volunteer at the Little Shop but we followed their example and had a parish-wide clothing drive to run a “clothing boutique” for their families. The families selected clothes with appropriate sizes and styles. The surplus clothes were given to Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service in Harlem. Recently TEAM TLC NYC began a new outreach called The Kindness Center. ISJ works with them as well.
The ISJ team sprang into action and invited the migrant families that they met or were assigned to them by Jesuit Refugee Services, to become a part of the St. Ignatius Loyola Family. The first year brought six families to St. Ignatius Loyola. They attended family Mass in Wallace Hall on Sundays. After Mass, Regis High School students along with ISJ Ministry members, helped the children with schoolwork, English language, played games and ate pizza together. Hospitality and community became key components of accompanying the migrant families. At Christmas, a party complete with Santa and presents by way of St. Vincent de Paul were distributed to the families. One of our parishioners, James Skarzynski, pro bono immigration lawyer, established a practice to represent six of our families in their asylum cases. Another parishioner, Patricia Azziz, helped with the legal work and interpretation from Spanish to English.
Many of the first migrant families have moved out of New York City and found jobs in other states. They keep in touch with us because St. Ignatius is family to them. Witnessing faith, hope, and courage of these migrant families, strengthens our faith and hope, and also helps us find joy in everyday living.
For the past three years, we initiated an Interfaith Migrant Prayer Service and invited neighborhood clergy and spiritual leaders from synagogues, Protestant and Catholic churches and Peace Island Muslim Center, students, migrants, and immersion trip participants to share their reflection on the migrant story. St. Ignatius Loyola’s music ministry provided piano interludes between each reflection creating a meditative, sacred space to pray for our migrant community. This spring attendance increased four-fold as spiritual communities continue working together to accompany migrants and tell the story.
Ignatian Social Justice Ministry actively responded to migrant needs in several ways. We collected used cellphones to send to Fr. Strassburger, S.J. for migrants at the border to use the government’s CBP One immigration app. We also organized clothing drives, school supplies drives, and appealed to the parish community for donations to their Migrant Accompaniment Fund. The Migrant Accompaniment Fund helps to pay for food, cell phone service, eye doctors, dentists and more. Currently, our ministry is accompanying six families, and some have children with special needs, such as cerebral palsy, and need more assistance with navigating medical assistance. When an ill older grandfather died, Terry Quinn donated a part of his burial plot and Associate Pastor Fr. Michael Hilbert, S.J. said a memorial Mass in Spanish in the Lady Chapel. The grandfather was laid to rest with love and dignity.
Picnics, birthday parties, trips to the Central Park Zoo, and Christmas celebrations help to keep some normalcy for our migrant families. The Ignatian Social Justice members, organized by chairperson, Laura De Boisblanc volunteer long, loving hours of service makes this a successful endeavor in ministering to those marginalized in society who need care, compassion, and hospitality. Freely we receive, and freely we will give- to act justly every day, love mercy in every way and walk humbly before God.
Migrants need accompaniment from parishes, religious organizations, and non-profits along with governmental agencies who spearhead asylum proceedings.
Recently Pope Leo XIV spoke about migrants and refugees, “Their presence, then, should be recognized and appreciated as a true divine blessing, an opportunity to open oneself to the grace of God, who gives new energy and hope to his Church: ‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it’ [Heb 13:2].”
Jeanmarie Santopatre, Yale Divinity, 2015
Pastoral Associate, Ignatian Young Adults | Ignatian Social Justice Ministry | Family Ministry | Laudato Si’/Care of Creation Ministry | Women’s Voices
The First Mass for the Care of Creation
On July 9, 2025 Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first Mass using the new “Care of Creation” formulary at the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo. This Mass, now part of the Roman Missal, invites Catholics to integrate the beauty and urgency of environmental stewardship into their worship life. Surrounded by nature, the Pope called for a conversion of hearts—both inside and outside the Church—to embrace our shared mission of protecting God’s creation.
What can you do?
Faith and caring for our planet go hand in hand. Here are practical ways you and your parish can live out this connection:
At Mass and Worship
- Join special Creation Masses: Participate in services that celebrate our connection to God’s creation using new prayers and readings
- Experience creation-focused worship: Enjoy music, art, and homilies that help you see God in nature and understand your role as a caretaker of the earth
Hands-On Activities
- Prayer walks: Take meditative walks outdoors, combining prayer with appreciation for the natural world around you
- Community clean-up days: Roll up your sleeves for neighborhood cleanups, park restoration, or waterway protection projects
- Start a community garden: Help grow food for local food banks while learning about sustainable living
Spiritual Growth
- Slow down and notice: Take time to really see the beauty around you – from sunrise to the changing seasons – as a way to connect with God
- Learn from different generations: Join events where older and younger parishioners share wisdom about faith and environmental stewardship
Why This Matters
Pope Leo reminded us that when we truly look at creation with wonder and respect, we grow closer to God, to each other, and to the earth itself. This isn’t just about being “green” – it’s about living out your faith in a way that honors the world God entrusted to us.
Getting Started Ask your parish what creation-focused activities they’re planning, or suggest starting one yourself. Many parishes are looking for people who want to connect their faith with practical care for the environment.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
GET INVOLVED
GREEN TEAM: Seeking Volunteers
The Archdiocese of New York’s Energy Department is currently seeking candidates for our newly established Green Team. This team of volunteers will help devise solutions for sustainable environmental goals for use at the parish or community or organizational levels. Green Team members will have access to a series of developmental training sessions that will build their knowledge.
Green Team members are encouraged to create sustainable initiatives of interest to themselves or their community -for example: Recycling, Composting, Community Gardens, Energy Efficiency, etc. Most of all we will join together our collective experiences and encourage and support one another as we Care for Our Common Home.
Please express your interest by filling out this form: GREEN TEAM Volunteer interest form
RESOURCES
Make the most of this Season of Creation. Read Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ on care for our common home, and learn more about Fratelli tutti here. Take action with the Laudato Si’ Movement, Catholic Climate Covenant, or the Ignatian Solidarity Network. Learn more about the Season of Creation here.
Share the following graphics on your social platforms.
Graphics for Use
Care of God’s Creation Resources from Catholic Relief Services:
Learn about St. Francis Xavier Laudato Si’ 3-year Climate Action Plan unveiled in 2022.
CARE OF CREATION TIPS
There are many ways to make a difference in your life and your environment. Why not incorporate some of the suggestions below into your daily routine and see what changes you can make?
You are invited to download and share these graphics with your community, on your social media platforms. Thank you for your kind consideration!
NEWS
"The Letter" Film
The movie The Letter about the Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change and ecology, offers a transformative new vision of environmental protection. The film, made in cooperation with the Vatican is available for free through a partnership with YouTube.
The United Nations convened their annual meeting on climate, COP28, on November 30, 2023, in Dubai
In advance of the meeting, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, released the following statement:
“We pray for all leaders and participants of COP28 as they work to care for our climate. As Pope Francis emphasized in Laudate Deum, the climate crisis is an opportunity to reconfigure international relations toward the common good, ‘demonstrat[ing] the nobility of politics,’ where, as brothers and sisters all, we can achieve ‘a decisive acceleration of energy transition’ (nos. 60, 54).”
Read more via The Good Newsroom: COP 28: U.S. Bishops Call for International Climate Policies that Promote Justice
INSPIRATION
October 4th marked the close of the annual celebration of the Season of Creation at Iona University
St. Francis Xavier Environment Ministry hosted a Clean Up Day at Glick Park next to the East River
GOSPEL OF LIFE CURRICULUM
Pope Francis issued the encyclical Laudato si, the first written specifically on the environment. Students will understand the connection between honoring the dignity of each person, serving the poor and vulnerable, and protecting our environment.
PK, TK & Kinder Lesson Plan
Overview: God has given us a beautiful gift in the creation of the entire world around us. Students will explore creation and see how caring for it is a prayer of thanksgiving to God.
Grades PK-K – Caring for Creation Lesson Plan – Oct
Grades PK-K – Caring for Creation Lesson Plan – Jan
Grades 1-3 Lesson Plan
Overview: God has given us a beautiful gift in the creation of the entire world around us. Students will explore creation and see how caring for it is a prayer of thanksgiving to God.
Grades 1-3 – Caring for Creation Lesson Plan – Oct
Grades 1-3 – Caring for Creation Lesson Plan – Jan
Resources
- He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands (2 minute song with video)
- The Creation Story (5 minute video of the Genesis story)
- What does it Mean to be Green? (2 minute video with suggestions for kids on ways to reuse, conserve, and be conscious of the environment)
Lesson Plan
God has given us a beautiful gift in the creation of the entire world around us. Students will explore creation and see how caring for it is a prayer of thanksgiving to God.
Grades 4-6 – Caring for Creation Lesson Plan – Oct
Grades 4-6 – Caring for Creation Lesson Plan – Jan
Resources
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Full 25 minute original 1972 movie for free)
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Purchase the book to read to your class)
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (The 1.5 hour 2012 movie can be purchased on YouTube)