By Marilyn Kott
Bishop Alberto Rojas will continue his call to local Catholics to care for God’s Creation when he celebrates an Earth Day Mass on April 27th at St. Mel Church in Norco.
The Earth Day event will begin at 5:30 pm with a tree planting and blessing at the front of the church, followed by Mass at 6 pm. The bilingual Mass will include intentions and hymns which praise and thank God for Creation. Afterward, there will be light refreshments and the opportunity for fellowship with Bishop Rojas and other attendees.
Bishop Rojas celebrated the first ever Diocesan Earth Day Mass last year at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Beaumont. The Diocesan Laudato Si Committee, formed in 2015 after the release of Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical of the same name, is coordinating this year’s Earth Day Mass in collaboration with Father Luis Guido, pastor of St. Mel Parish.
This year’s Earth Day Mass is just one way in which the Diocese of San Bernardino is caring for Creation, by word and by deed. In addition to completing several projects in recent years to save water, reduce carbon emissions and improve the land’s ability to support biodiversity, the Diocese has emphasized the importance of Caring for Creation. Bishop Rojas speaks often on the subject, asking that individuals consider their actions and daily choices.
What else can people in our Diocese do? Hearing Pope Francis and Bishop Rojas’ call to care for our Common Home better, people of good will in our diocese can examine their hearts and minds for ways to participate. This year’s Earth Day focuses on plastic reduction. Helpful resources can be found online from the Catholic Climate Covenant at https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/HandoutED24.pdf and from the global Earth Day 2024 website at: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/
Are you hosting an Earth Day event at your parish or in your community? Please consider sharing the details with us by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You may also visit the Laudato Si’ page here https://www.sbdiocese.org/LaudatoSi/index.html
Marilyn Kott is a member of the Diocesan Laudato Si’ Committee.