This sister (Mother Earth) now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of goods with which God has endowed her. (Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter on care for our common home; Laudato Si No.2)
For three (3) consecutive year from 2018 to 2020, the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD) has adopted “Caring for Our Common Home” as it’s main Lenten Campaign theme. The Church of the Visitation, Seremban initiated some activities during the Lenten season to create awareness and the importance of caring for Mother Earth. The Tamil speaking youths led by Solomon John and his team set-up a “Green Bazaar” on 14th April, 2019 at the car park area opposite of the church parlour. Home grown vegetables, plants, fruit trees were up for sale. The “petai” – a long, flat edible beans with bright green seeds the size and shape of plump almonds brought from the Orang Asal settlement in Kampung Sebir was also on sale. Due to overwhelming support from the parishioners, all items were sold out by 2.00 pm. Elsewhere inside the church parlour an exhibition of story writing, colouring and collage centred on the theme “Mother Earth is Crying” were held. Entries were received from the primary and secondary level catechesis students. A “Laudato Si” garden were created by the Tamil youths for parishioners of all age group to say a prayer for Mother Earth and creation.
Earlier in the day being Palm Sunday which also coincided with World Youth Day (WYD) at diocesan/parish level, children and youths joined other parishioners and took active part in the liturgy. During the concluding rites at the 7.00 am Tamil mass, Negeri Sembilan Exco YB Arul Kumar Jambunathan made a surprise visit. He delivered a monetary contribution for the Visitation Church to which Parish Priest Rev Fr. George Harrison thanked the Negeri Sembilan state government.
Some of the entries received where children expressing “Mother Earth Crying” in the form of colouring.
“Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.”
(LS No.244)
A word of thanks to Rev Fr. George and all who have contributed to this article.