by Andre Lewis, St Mary’s College: Photos: T&T Event Photography
“Pray, act and live!” With these words, Archbishop Jason Gordon urged participants of ‘Our Lady, Queen of the Universe Candle Light Climate March’ that their duty towards the gift of creation was not just to see the problem of destructive human activity but to offer solutions.
On Saturday, September 8 residents of the St Dominic’s Children’s Home (SDCH) on Belmont Circular Road, along with the Dominican Sisters participated in this solemn march as part of the September 1–October 4 observance of the Season of Creation.
The aim of the event, organised by the Dominican Sisters in partnership with the Franciscan Institute for Personal and Family Development, a ministry of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, was to raise awareness of climate change and pollution.
The march, which followed the Saturday evening liturgy, commenced at 6 p.m. in front of the SDCH chapel. School participants included staff and student representatives of the Legion of Mary from St Mary’s College; Sr Renée Hall OP, a staff representative of Holy Name Convent; and Fr Gregory Augustine CSSp, the Provincial Superior of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Principal of Fatima College.
With lit candles in hand, participants walked through the Home’s premises and made their public procession onto the streets, in song and praise. The procession ended at the Home’s compound and was marked by a brief ceremony near the beautifully lit Marian grotto.
The Archbishop recalled how easy it was for those involved in the march to observe the wanton disregard for the environment in the form of discarded waste on the streets of Belmont. He urged all present to pray, act, and live with consciousness and consideration for our wider environment.
The ceremony ended with flowers being placed by some of the residents in front of the grotto.