3rd Sunday is Ecology Sunday in Archdiocese of Manila

            Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales has declared the third Sunday of every month as Ecology Sunday in the Archdiocese of Manila. On this day the parishes are encouraged to educate the people on ecological and environmental concerns and to hold activities on protecting the environment.

            The Ministry on Ecology of the Archdiocese has released a pastoral guide on celebrating Ecology Sunday in the parishes, that aims to heighten the ministry’s campaign and call for Catholics in the archdiocese and in the entire country for the care and protection of God’s creation, and prevent further exploitation and devastation through human activities.

            Here are the ministry’s suggested activities:

1. Make this Sunday a day of recruitment for ecology volunteers.
2. Organize or plan a meeting on this day of ecology volunteers.
3. Announce after each mass the brief guide for environmental protection.
4. Conduct a short forum on various environmental issues.
5. Show short films on environment.
6. Show the film of Cardinal Rosales’ lectures on environment before or after the Mass.
7. Post slogans on the environment on parish bulletin boards. Adopt a theme for each week or month.
8. Conduct short courses on ecology training.
9. Display and sell environmental/recycled products.
10. Donate trash. (A list of acceptable trash will be provided to guide the parishes). This scheme can be an opportunity for the parish ecology team to raise funds to support their programs. The parish may partner with KABALIKASANG Samahan, Inc., the waste pickers’ organization.
11. Encourage the parish ecology or care for the earth team to come up with activities on the environment.
12. Include in the Prayers of the Faith on every third Sunday of the month an intercession for care and concern for the environment.

Music materials, publications and films on the environment are available at the Ecology Center at the Caritas Manila compound, 2002 Jesus St., Pandacan, Manila. Telephones 5623470 and 5619975. Email: ecology_rcam@yahoo.com.