Caitlin, Jillian, Julia, MariaCaitlin, Jillian, Julia, Maria

For the Beauty of the Earth For the Beauty of the Earth -John Rutter-John Rutter

Opening PrayerOpening Prayer

God of goodness and beauty, you made the world, filled it with life, and asked us to care for it. Our selfishness and lack of

respect cause us to disrespect the Earth that you have created for us. For this, we ask for your forgiveness. Help us to

understand that we are here to live as stewards of your earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

First ReadingFirst ReadingA reading from the book of Genesis.

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the Earth, it was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the

deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then, God said. “Let there be light.” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day and he called the

darkness night. And there was evening and there was morning the first day.

Gospel ReadingGospel ReadingLuke 12: 13-21

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke.Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the

family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your

guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. ”Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I

have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This

very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for

themselves but are not rich towards God

PetitionsPetitionsThe response to the petitions is:

“Lord hear our prayer”

• For Pope Benedict, may he guide his people and show them how to protect the Lord’s Earth. We pray to the Lord.

• For the poor and the innocent, may they find peace within their environment. We pray to the Lord.

• May we realize to come together as a community and as a family to praise you for the beauty of creation you have given us. We pray to the Lord.

• God, you created this wonderful world and sent us to take care of it. Give us the strength to continue teaching your word and nurturing your world. We pray to the Lord.

Responsorial PsalmResponsorial PsalmPsalm 19: 1-6

The Glory of God is the light of the city, and its lamp is the Lamb, hallelujah. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament

shows his handiwork. One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to

another. Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard, their

sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the World. In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun, it comes forth

like a bridegroom out of his chamber, it rejoices like a champion to run its course. It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the

heavens and runs about to the end of it again; nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

Closing PrayerClosing PrayerLord,

Please help us to be more like you in every way possible. You created every creature on this beautiful planet Earth and we as humans always make mistakes but, we must learn to ask your forgiveness. When we hurt and endanger animals and plants, we are really hurting. Please help us to learn to treat everything on this Earth better and as we want to be treated.

Amen

All the Ends of the EarthAll the Ends of the Earth-St. Louis Jesuits-St. Louis Jesuits

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

1. What did you do this weekend to celebrate Earth day?

2. What can we do in our classroom and at home .to help the Earth and all the creatures in it?

3. Why do you think God gave us the responsibility of taking care of his Earth?

4. How can we prove to God that we can take care of his Earth?

5. Why is it important for us to celebrate the Earth and have a day dedicated to it?

The Earth is indeed a precious gift of the Creator The Earth is indeed a precious gift of the Creator who, in designing its intrinsic order, has given who, in designing its intrinsic order, has given us bearings that guide us as stewards of his us bearings that guide us as stewards of his

creation. Precisely from within this framework, creation. Precisely from within this framework, the Church considers matters concerning the the Church considers matters concerning the

environment and its protection intimately environment and its protection intimately linked to the theme of integral human linked to the theme of integral human

development.”development.” -Pope Benedict -Pope Benedict

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