Dear Fellow Parishioners, Most of us are familiar with the song “The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor.” Pope Francis in his Encyclical Laudato Si: On the care of our Common Home) asks us all to hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. This week, along with Christians throughout the world we begin our annual celebration of the “Season of Creation” which runs from September 1st to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi October 4th.
This year we are not only confronting an environmental crisis, we are in the midst of a pandemic along with institutional racism and for us in the U.S. a deeply divided nation. More than ever we need to enter into the Season of Creation with ears and hearts open to listening to the cry of the poor, the cry of the earth, the cry for black safety, the cry for unity.
The environmental crisis, pandemic, racism and are all intertwined. Pope Francis calls all Christians to listen attentively to the three cries and to the Holy Spirit giving us direction. We must open our eyes and our ears and assume responsibility for each other so that no one is left behind. We cannot be silent; we need to speak up on behalf of the earth and all our brothers and sisters for this is not a personal problem, nor just a U.S. problem but a global crisis.
What to do? See, judge, act! Pope Francis calls everyone of good will, not just Christians, to see what is happening around us and recognize that “all creation is groaning.” To judge that this is not what God has intended when God gave us responsibility for all that God has created. When we recognize that is in not the world God created, nor the way it ought to be we are called to act. We are called to do our part to care for the earth and each other.
So, how do we begin? Start by entering into this “Season of Creation”; a season of prayer. There are many suggestions on the web to enter fully into this season with others. Be open to see, just, and act. I am hoping that all of us will be willing to share our personal wisdom we gain through our individual and communal prayer experience.
Again, we will continue with the Mass schedule as it is, Mass Saturday at 4:00 P.M. and Sunday at 9:30 A.M. until the need arises for an additional Mass. With socially distancing we can accommodate 100 at each Mass.