No. 837 Diocese of Marbel, Philippines 20 August 2015
Bishop Dinualdo led the faithful of the Diocese of Marbel in launching the diocesan-wide educational campaign on integral ecology, 18 August 2015, Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Cannery, Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Aims: (1) integral ecology is understood, appreciated and practiced by the participants; (2) simplicity of lifestyle is adopted; (3) prayers said to praise God for his creations; (4) Pastoral Letter launching the campaign, read; (5) bonding strengthened.
Activities: (1) chanted mid-morning praise between the exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; (2) Bishop’s sharing on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si’”, with open-forum; (3) Mass – Fr. Romeo Catedral, presider; Deacon – Jesreel Calopez, homilist; (4) reading of pastoral letter; (5) Prayer to Care for Our Common Home; (6) shared lunch.
Framework of Bishop’s sharing: (1) global situation; (2) analysis; (3) Theological reflection (Bible and Church’s teachings); (4) pastoral action. “SEE, JUDGE, ACT”.
Global situation: global warming/climate change.
a. Increasing rise of Earth’s temperature due to greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, etc. Pollution – air, soil, water. Waste and throwaway culture. Effects: deaths – human, animals, plants. Natural calamities: typhoons (hurricanes), floodings, drought, desertification, melting of polar icecaps, increase in sea level, etc.
b. Human roots of ecological crisis.
Greed, individual and corporate. Irresponsibility. Ignorance, inefficiency, indifference, corruption. Model of development – technological-economic, profit-driven, exclusive-without concern for the environment, human rights and cultural tradition.
c. The Gospel of Creation
Faith tells us God created the universe out of love. The creation accounts suggest that human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, neighbors, Earth.
Variety of creatures makes up for the limitations of others. Each species enriches the ecosystem.
These diverse creatures are all interconnected. What happens to one affects the whole.
Human beings, created after the image and likeness of God, were entrusted with the care and protection of the earth.
Development and protection for the sake of the present generation as well as for generations to come.
Prudence and cautions are to be employed in developing new varieties. “When in doubt, never act” is a prudent saying. Verify. Inquire.
Justice, peace and the environment are inseparable. “Laudato Si’” is about justice: to God, others – especially the poor – and Mother Earth – our common home.
Participants: Total – 356.
Lay leaders – 248 from 27 parishes. Priests – 63 (diocesan, including Bishop – 46; Passionist Fathers – 13; capuchins – 2; Claretians – 2). Religious Sisters – 28 Passionist Sisters – 8; Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts – 4; AR Sisters – 3; OND Sisters – 3; Marist Sisters – 5;’ OP Sisters – 1; Trinitarian Handmaids of the Divine Word – 2; Poor Clares – 2. Marist Brothers – 3. Diocesan Seminarians – 8. Deacon – 1. CP – 2 deacons and 3 pastoral.
Venue hosts: Jesus, the Good Shepherd Parish. Co-hosts – Parishes in Koronadal Valley Vicariate.
Congratulations! Thank you!
Note: After lunch priests met. Approved: 1) prayer, caravan, rally to STOP AERIAL SPRAYING, 1st September 2015; (2) survey on priests’ shepherding/stewardship.
Pope Francis wrote on 6 August 2015 to Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah TURKSON, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and to Cardinal Kurt KOCH, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, “I wish to inform you that I have decided to institute in the Catholic Church the ‘World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’ which beginning this Year, is to be celebrated on 1 September, as has been the custom in the Orthodox Church for some time.”
“The annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation will offer individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live.
Note: Until we receive a new PRAYER we will use the prayer Pope Francis composed and can be found towards the end of “Laudato Si’”
A PRAYER FOR OUR EARTH
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bringhealing to our lives, that we may protect he world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
- DIRECTORY, MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE SOCIETY OF MARY
Local Superior – Sr. Gladella Q. Enanoria
Lagao Community
- Gladella Q. Enanoria – Superior
- Malia Iosefina Iosefo – Directress of the Campus Ministry-NDDU, GSC
- Kateia Kaikai – Marcellin Foundation – GSC
- Theresa Waine – Campus Ministry – NDDU, GSC
Maitum Community
- Pelenatita Petelo – Superior, Business Resource Center, Maitum
- MAlia Afuhia – ND Maitum
- Tomoko Mahe – Business Resource Center, Maitum
- Francisca Tsiori – Business Resource Center, Maitum
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