The Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative, began on September 1, 2024, the World Day of Care for Creation, and ended on October 4, 2024, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The below events took place as part of the 2024 Season of Creation.
Mass for the Care of Creation
The Archdiocese of New York, together with Metro New York Catholic Climate Movement and the Church of St. Paul the apostle cordially invite all to celebrate a Mass for Creation.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
6:30 PM
Church of St. Paul the Apostle
Columbus Ave between 59th and 60th Streets.
Celebrant is Rev. James DiLuzio, CSP
Concelebrants and Guests include Rev. Brian McWeeney and Rev. Benedict Ayodi, OFM Cap of the Laudato Si Movement.
This Mass is in observance of the 2024 Season of Creation.
RSVP to [email protected]
A Mass for Creation – Fr. Brian McWeeney
A Mass for Creation, September 25, 2024
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
Fr. Brian McWeeney, Archdiocese of New York
Opening Remarks
Welcome to our Liturgical Celebration of The Season of Creation. I am pleased to be one with you as we commit ourselves to the vision of the Catholic Community to act as faithful stewards of what God has given us. In the Scripture we read in the Letter of James the Apostle: “Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” With great clarity our Holy Father Pope Francis has called the whole church to recognize the necessity of preservation of “Our Common Home” through our missionary discipleship. His message has been consistent. Through his Letters : Laudatio Si, Fratelli Tutti, and Laudatio Deum, he has challenged us to reflect on the ever lasting from the Scriptures and the Magisterial Teachings of the Church. Because of the universal abilities of communication, His words have not only been heard the churches but many secular areas of education, economics, and government. It would be an error to believe that he is the first to sound the clarion call. The judgements of the prophets, the words of Jesus and the disciples,, the saints of God Benedict, Francis, and Teresa of Calcutta have all changed their generations.
In our own modern era Pope Leo XIII condemned the social sins of injustice committed by individuals and governments against the poor. In our own times St, Pope Paul VI remembering his predecessors stated in his Populorum Progressio: “Our pred in their great encyclicals …did not fail in their office of shedding the light of the Gospel on the social questions of their times… John XXIII stated this in unambiguous terms and the Council echoed him in its Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. The Teaching is important and its application urgent. Today the people in hunger are making a dramatic appeal to those blessed with abundance. The Church shudders at this cry of anguish and calls each one to give a loving response of charity to this brother’s cry for help.”
Saint Pope John Paul II in speaking out at Yankee Stadium about the poor man at the Gate who arrived in Paradise in Abraham’s stated that all must “ Give from your substance not from your excess.>” Years later in the post-synodal text: Ecclesia in America” he would call upon us to realize the modern dangers of urbanization and globalization as well as the misuse of technology and science there by caused greater dehumanization.
Carrying on this theme, Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his encyclical: Caritatis in Veritate: “Today the subject of development is also closely related to the duties arising from our relationship to the natural environment. The environment is God’s gift to everyone , and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole. When nature including the human being, is viewed as the mere chance or evolutionary determinism, our sense of responsibility wanes. In nature, the believer recognizes the wonderful result of God’s creative activity, which we may use responsibly to satisfy our legitimate needs, material or otherwise, while respecting the intrinsic balance of creation. If this vision is lost, we end up either considering nature an untouchable taboo or, on the contrary, abusing it. Neither attitude is consonant with the Christian vision of nature as the fruit of God’s creation.”
Pope Francis in his efforts of teaching and collaborating with other communities of faith has followed through the social doctrine of the Church as well as shown us how Synodolity is a valued tool to advance our goals for the future. Our celebration itself has shown us that in advancing the needs of Our Common Home requires the communion, participation, and mission of the continuing principles of the Synod.
Events Prior to the 2024 Season of Creation
The Spirituality of Soil
The Office of Peace, Justice, and the Integrity of Creation of the Sisters of Charity of New York and The Office of Peace, Justice, and Ecological Integrity of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth invite you to a ZOOM webinar on composting.
Monday, May 6, 2024
6 – 7:30 PM
Free Webinar
Registration is not required. Click here to join the webinar.
Eric Anglada (St. Isidore Catholic Worker Farm, Cuba City, WI) and Peggy Linehan (NYC urban composter) will share the deep spirituality that calls us to a new relationship with the community of life under our feet and answer practical questions about how to compost as an individual, family, or community.
Care for Creation Fair
Sponsored by Holy Name of Jesus – St. Gregory the Great Parish Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee. Learn ways to live Laudato Si’!
Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 21, 2024
After every weekend Mass.
Click here for more information.
Holy Name of Jesus School
202 Amsterdam Ave @ West 97th St.
New York, NY 10025
Refreshments and resources will be provided, as well as engaging activities for children to enjoy. All are welcome to join us!
The Journey from Homeless to Home
Join us for an eye-opening event where we explore the inspiring stories and resources for individuals who have successfully transitioned from homelessness to finding a place to call home in the bustling city of New York. Discover the various housing services available in NYC that have played a crucial role in this journey.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
7:30 PM – 9 PM
This in-person event will take place at the Church of Our Saviour (59 Park Ave New York, NY 10016), providing an intimate setting to connect with fellow attendees and learn from staff who serve the homeless firsthand. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and be part of a supportive community. Together, let’s empower ourselves with knowledge and compassion to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Light refreshments will be provided at the reception.
STOP Human Trafficking: What We Need to Know; What We Can Do
Our Conversation will include:
- Welcome
- Opening Prayer
- Life Experiences – Josephine Crisostomo, LifeWay Network Director of Education, Sisters Kate O’Neill, RNDM and Claudia Stecker, RNDM (LifeWay Safe House host community) will begin the discussion.
- Q & A and Time for Sharing
- The Equality Model and Advocacy Opportunities – Josephine Crisostomo
Monday, February 12, 2024
7 PM – 8 PM
Register before Thursday, February 8, 2024 by clicking here.
For more information, email Ms. Maureen Reiser, SCNY Director of Associates at [email protected]
Hosted by Sisters of Charity of New York and LifeWay Network
Earth Day
We are all invited to be good stewards of the earth. Learn more about how you can participate in the care of God’s creation during this Season of Creation for Earth Day with these tips, courtesy of the Archdiocese of New York’s Department of Energy Management:
