Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre led a Green Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Louisville on October 2, marking the first such event in the Archdiocese. The Mass was part of the Season of Creation observance, which runs from September 1 to October 4, coinciding with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

The Archdiocesan Creation Care Team organized the event and arranged various activities, including a poster contest for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Winners were announced during a reception after the liturgy.

In his homily, Archbishop Fabre discussed how neglecting creation affects humanity's relationship with God. He referenced the Book of Joel, emphasizing that harmony between God, humankind, and creation is essential for God's presence among people.

“This refusal to see ourselves as caretakers of creation not only affects the natural world but has an even more direct spiritual effect on us,” said Archbishop Fabre.

He noted that putting humanity at the center leaves no space for God or respect for creation. “We fall into the belief that nothing should stand in the way of what we understand to be the limitless and unbridled possibilities for the advancement of human intellect and knowledge, certainly not God or creation,” he stated.

Archbishop Fabre highlighted teachings from Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis regarding care for creation as integral to speaking authentically about God. Pope Benedict posed a question in November 2021: “How can we talk about God in our time?” One answer he offered was concern for safeguarding creation.

Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si’” also supports this view. “Pope Francis challenges us to rise above our tendency to self-importance and self-indulgence and to be concerned with safeguarding creation to bring authenticity to our speech about God,” said Archbishop Fabre.