Green Priests Invite Catholics into Conversation on Care for Creation

Three senior priests from the Diocese of St. Augustine hosted two gatherings to discuss the Church's call to care for the environment during the Season of Creation. Monsignor Vincent Haut, Father Ed Rooney, and Father Guy Noonan, referred to as the Green Priests, led the events to encourage prayer and reflection on protecting the earth.

The first gathering took place on September 1 at the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center in St. Augustine with approximately 40 attendees. A second event held on September 5 at Holy Faith Catholic Church in Gainesville drew about 60 participants. Both programs included Scripture readings, a video of the Canticle of Creation, and a poem by Wendell Berry.

Father Noonan led a reflection on Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, explaining how all creation is connected through relationships that tend toward God. Monsignor Haut then led discussions and sharing among the participants. The events also featured a video of a prayer for the Season of Creation and a drawing for nature-related prizes.