Bishop Louis Tylka celebrated a Green Mass to launch the Care for Creation initiative organized by the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (PDCCW) on Oct. 5 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bartonville. PDCCW Care for Creation committee members are (from left): Colleen Carlson, Susan Lawhorn, Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, Barbara Harzman, Mary Ann Hughes and Chris McAtee. (Dean Campbell, St. Anthony Parish)

Bartonville – The Peoria Diocese Council of Catholic Women (PDCCW) organized a Green Mass event for Oct. 5 to launch the diocese-wide Care for Creation program.

Mass was celebrated by Bishop Louis Tylka at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bartonville. He encouraged recognizing the beauty and enjoyment of God’s creation and the need to be aware of and care for it.

Care for Creation items were processed in before Mass to form a display honoring God’s Creation. (Dean Campbell, St. Anthony Parish)

A procession of God’s gifts preceded the Mass. Msgr. Gerald Ward, Deacon Tom Mueller and Deacon Ed Mallow assisted Bishop Tylka at Mass.

The St. Anthony Camerata Chorale Festival Choir directed by Mary Ann Fahey-Darling led the music.

Following Mass, lunch was served by St. Anthony Parish. PDCCW Care for Creation committee facilitator Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB spoke on “Laudato Si’ in Action” concerning Pope Francis’ encyclical “On Care for Our Common Home.”  Committee member Barbara Harzman shared how to “Be a CFC ‘Link’ in Your Parish.”

PARISHES ENCOURAGED TO REQUEST HANDOUTS

Harzman encouraged parishes not in attendance to call 217-597-1021 or email Hug13@aol.com to receive a folder of handouts for their parish.

The PDCCW Care for Creation committee extends special thanks to the local St. Anthony of Padua Care for Creation team and to the parish for hosting the event. They are also very appreciative of Victory Noll Sisters of Huntington, IN for providing a generous grant for expenses, and similarly for the opportunity to network “toward the good of the earth” with the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict of Rock Island.