Archdiocese of Atlanta Celebrates Green Mass
On September 14, 2024, St. Thomas More Parish in Decatur, GA, hosted the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s annual Green Mass. This inspiring event brought together people of faith from across the community to celebrate our shared call to care for creation. Rooted in the teachings of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’, the Green Mass serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect “our common home” and respond to the urgent cries of both the earth and the poor.
Green Mass Flyer
The Mass, a highlight of the 2024 Season of Creation, was celebrated with prayer, reflection, and music that honored the beauty and interconnectedness of God’s creation. Parishioners, environmental advocates, and community members gathered to renew their commitment to ecological stewardship, inspired by the Catholic tradition and Pope Francis’s message of integral ecology. Encounter GA was also present!
The St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus and St. Peter Claver Knights were both in attendance and offered an honor guard for the opening song and procession.
One of the most moving moments of the celebration was the recessional, where the Most Rev. Bishop Bernard E. Schlesinger III of the Archdiocese of Atlanta shook hands with many youth who were in attendance from St. Pius High School and other schools. In his homily, the bishop directly mentioned the importance of youth engaging in the work of creation care and thanked the youth for their presence at the Mass.
St. Thomas More Green Team Members with Most Rev. Bishop Bernard E. Schlesinger III.
The St. Thomas More Parish community hosted the event, which included a reception of delicious vegan food options with compostable silverware and plates.
For those who are interested in bringing the spirit of the Green Mass to their own communities, the Catholic Climate Covenant offers excellent resources to get started. Their Mass of Creation Resources provide practical guidance and ideas for organizing a Green Mass, emphasizing prayer, liturgy, and community engagement. You can explore these resources here: Mass of Creation Resources.
