The Walk for Creation: Ecumenical Mass
The Walk for Creation: Ecumenical Mass was held on October 5th this year as part of the Walk for Creation global movement to raise awareness regarding the state of our environment in today’s world. The participants were all from the Basic Ecclesial Communities of Dumaguete, which included various churches and seminarian colleges. People gathered along the beachside of Piapi, Dumaguete, to celebrate the Earth that God has provided for us and to commit to protecting and maintaining it for the future of humanity. I was one of those participants.
By participating in the Walk for Creation Ecumenical Mass, I was able to practice my social skills, collaborative skills, and holistic view of environmental sustainability. I initially expected that the masses would only focus on cleaning up garbage and limiting the use of plastics. However, to my surprise, they also addressed topics such as building a sustainable future for the planet through actions like signing petitions and organizing more coastal cleanups. The event was primarily for ecclesial communities in Dumaguete, but everyone who wanted to join was also invited. All the people were very kind to an outsider like me, especially those from the Christian colleges, as they guided everyone throughout the mass. I was able to express my value of being a steward of environmental protection by honoring the world that God created for us and strengthening my promise to care for it as my own home through the teachings shared during the mass.
This experience has broadened my perspective on the impending crisis of climate change, which is terrorizing the world, and on the significant impact humanity can have if we care a little more for all of God’s creations. To continue my involvement with this cause, I plan to stay updated on future schedules and join whenever possible, provided I am not busy at those times. This activity benefits the entirety of Dumaguete City, especially as the city’s population continues to grow each year. Instilling in people the value of environmental awareness is a key focus of this mass, and if everyone participates when they can, I believe Dumaguete will be able to care for its surroundings effectively.
Because of this activity, I am now more aware of the plight of our environment and how we, as God’s creations, can help protect and care for it as stewards of change and creation.