Father Roch Raible, OFM Cap was my high school earth science and biology teacher. Father Roch loved nature. He was one of the foremost experts on the ecology of Western Pennsylvania and was consulted as an expert by universities and the Pennsylvania Park Service. He was an enthusiastic teacher. It was a pleasure to walk through a forest with Father Roch because he knew every flower and plant, every bird by its call and he could explain the formation of the streams and hills.
The first Earth Day was in 1970 and we began celebrating Earth Day in my high school (Saint Fidelis Seminary High School). Father Roch was a Capuchin, a Franciscan. Saint Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures, a praise of God for all creation. Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the environment begins with the Italian words, “Laudato Si” (Praise be to You), the first words of Saint Francis’ Canticle.
It is too bad that Father Roch did not live to see a Pope issue an encyclical on the environment. Father Roch loved God and he loved the world that God created. He taught us that a lover of God should protect the environment. God wants the air and water to be clean and God wants there to be wild lands--habitat for animals and birds.
During my lifetime, we have made environmental progress and have also had setbacks. In the United States, the air and water are cleaner than they were in the 1970s. But we continue to destroy wild lands and farms. The ocean is filling with plastic and the climate is getting hotter.
I am proud that we have a Laudato Si Circle at Saint John’s, a group that is dedicated to concern for the environment in the spirit of Saint Francis and Pope Francis. This Earth Day give thanks to God for all that He has made and commit to good stewardship of our Mother, the Earth.
Coffee and Donuts after Mass
Our monthly coffee and donuts will be offered this Sunday, April 21 after the 10:30 AM Mass. Please join us.
Faith Climate Action Week
The first annual Earth Day was on April 22, 1970. Earth Day calls all to protect the earth from pollution and ruin. Faith Climate Action Week includes Earth Day and is a faith based commitment to protect the earth because it is God’s creation and our common home. It is April 19-28 and includes Earth Day.
Saint John Church has a Laudato Si Circle formed in response to Pope Francis’ historic encyclical on the environment. The theme of Faith Climate Action Week this year is “Common Ground: Cultivating Connections Between Our Faith, Our Food, and Our Climate.”
Members of our Laudato Si Circle will be on the front steps of St. John’s Church on Earth Day, April 22, with pots of pansies. The pansies will be distributed to passersby during the late morning and early afternoon hours: inviting people to take pause and give thanks to the God of all creation for His gift of love expressed in creation.
Those wishing to participate as volunteers can contact Carolyn at (267) 881-8794.
Padre Pio Pilgrimage
On Saturday, May 4, I will lead a pilgrimage to the Padre Pio Center in Barto, PA. I will be the celebrant for the Mass at Barto. There is a sign up sheet in the upper and lower churches for those wishing to attend and who need transportation or who can offer a ride to others.
It looks like most people need a ride and cannot offer a ride to others. I will rent a van and the cost per person will be $20 for the ride. Here’s the schedule: 8:00 AM Leave Saint John’s 9:30 Arrive at Padre Pio Centre 10:30 Mass 12:00 Lunch (bring your own lunch) 1:30 Depart 3 PM Arrive at Saint John’s The Deadline for sign up is Sunday, April 28.
Jack’s Yacs Service Project
On Thursday evening, May 2 our young adults will provide a dinner for the residents of Frankford, mostly single mothers with children, at the Padre Pio Prayer Center. We need volunteers. If you are a young adult and would like to help provide this service, please contact Father Tom below.
