Dear Friends in Christ,

One of the popular holiday songs that makes its way into many homes in late August is the one titled “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” Many children (and their parents!) hum this tune as they prepare to go back to school. This time of the year certainly applies to students and teachers everywhere, including ASB, OLL, and STC. Blessings to all returning to school!
That goes for all of us who may have finished our formal education years ago but are still graduate students in the school of “Lifelong Learning”. These studies focus on our understanding and practice of the Catholic Faith Tradition. One important part of that curriculum is the “Season of Creation,” which begins September 1 and concludes October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Our Archbishop Paul Etienne will help inaugurate this season in our local church by presiding at a special Mass of Creation on September 2, 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm at St. James Cathedral. All are welcome.

The “Care for Creation” is one of the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which proposes:

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan; it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

This teaching is more important than ever as we deal with the growing spread of wildfires and other dangerous effects of global warming. Care for Creation and other themes from CST will be the focus of various learning opportunities in September sponsored by our Social Justice Commission. All students, of any age, are strongly encouraged to participate in these lessons!

Blessings of peace,

Fr. William Heric, Pastor