A Commitment of the Archdiocese of New York

Our Call to Stewardship

Creation is a sacred gift from God — entrusted to humanity to protect, cultivate, and cherish. Inspired by Laudato Si’ and guided by the Church’s Gospel of Life teaching, the Archdiocese of New York is committed to caring for our common home with integrity, responsibility, and hope. Caring for creation is not optional; it is an essential expression of our Catholic faith and our responsibility to one another.

Through prayer, education, action, and institutional leadership, we seek to honor God by safeguarding the world He has entrusted to us.

Why Creation Care Matters

• Creation reflects the beauty, order, and goodness of God.
• Environmental, social, and economic challenges are interconnected; the “cry of the earth” and the “cry of the poor” must be addressed together.
• Stewardship of creation is part of the Church’s consistent ethic of life — protecting the dignity of all people, especially the vulnerable.
• In New York City and the Hudson Valley, caring for creation also means addressing aging buildings, energy use, environmental justice, and community resilience.

Archdiocesan Commitment

The Archdiocese of New York leads a comprehensive effort to reduce environmental impact, educate the faithful, and support parishes and schools as they care for creation.

We accomplish this through:

1. Evangelization & Formation

Integrating creation care into prayer, liturgy, homilies, religious education, youth ministry, and parish life.

2. Parish & School Action

Providing practical guidance, energy-saving strategies, and seasonal creation-focused programming.

3. Institutional Leadership

The Archdiocese’s Energy Department assists parishes and schools in reducing energy consumption, improving building performance, and lowering carbon emissions.

4. Collaboration & Advocacy

Working with civic, interfaith, and community partners to advance environmental stewardship and justice.

5. Celebration & Renewal

Encouraging broad participation in the annual Season of Creation (September 1–October 4) through prayer services, Masses, community cleanups, and educational events.

Faith Formation & Classroom Resources (PK–6)

The Archdiocese of New York offers age-appropriate lesson plans, activities, and media to support schools, parishes, and families as they teach children to appreciate, protect, and care for God’s creation.

All lesson plans are offered in October and January editions to support the Season of Creation, Earth Day, and ongoing catechetical cycles.

Practical Ways to Engage

For Parishes

• Celebrate a Care of Creation Mass during the Season of Creation.
• Host a parish clean-up, tree-planting, or community garden blessing.
• Form or strengthen a parish Green Team.
• Use our free bulletin inserts, homily helps, and social-media graphics.

For Schools

• Integrate creation care into religion, science, and social-studies classes.
• Encourage classroom stewardship projects.
• Participate in the October and January Caring for Creation lesson plans.
• Visit local parks or nature centers for creation-focused field trips.

For Families

• Practice small daily habits: turning off lights, reducing waste, recycling.
• Pray outdoors together.
• Choose a monthly stewardship activity such as a neighborhood clean-up or helping a neighbor.

Institutional Leadership: The Archdiocese’s Energy Commitment

The Archdiocese of New York remains a national leader among religious institutions in energy stewardship.

We commit to:

• Reducing energy use and carbon emissions across all buildings.
• Installing renewable energy systems wherever possible.
• Supporting parishes with audits, upgrades, and professional guidance.
• Training staff to make stewardship practices sustainable and long-term.
• Ensuring compliance with New York City’s Local Law 97 for large buildings.
• Linking energy stewardship with our broader Gospel of Life mission and service to the poor.

 Green Team Inquiries: Leslie Davis, Energy Management Leslie.Davis@archny.org

Creation Care & the Gospel of Life

Caring for creation is rooted in the Church’s proclamation of the Gospel of Life.
 Respecting the dignity of every person includes protecting the environment that sustains life. Integral ecology — championed by Pope Francis — reminds us that human life, community well-being, and the natural world are inseparable.

Season of Creation

Each year, from September 1 through October 4, the Archdiocese joins Catholics worldwide in the Season of Creation — a month dedicated to prayer, reflection, and action.

Events typically include:

• Mass for Care of Creation
• Outdoor prayer services and Blessing of Animals
• Parish clean-ups and family service days
• School activities, art projects, and classroom reflections
• Social-media campaigns and parish resource kits

Together, in Faith and Hope

When we protect creation, we honor the Creator and care for one another. The Archdiocese of New York remains committed to leading, supporting, and encouraging all the faithful to cherish the world God has entrusted to us — today and for generations to come.