CALLED TO BE SOWERS OF HOPE FOR THE PLANET

Bangalore, 5 June 2025 – With a stirring call to “Beat Plastic and Plant Hope,” the Archdiocese of Bangalore’s Commission for Ecology hosted a vibrant Environment Day celebration at Paalana Bhavan, inspiring all present to walk gently on God’s Earth.

In honour of St. Francis of Assisi—the patron saint of ecology—and in reflection on the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the event highlighted the Church’s renewed commitment to ecological stewardship: to plant, to pledge, and to protect.

Presiding over the programme as Chief Guest was Most Rev. Dr Arokiaraj Satish Kumar, Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore. He was joined by two remarkable environmental champions as Guests of Honour: Mrs Janet Yegneshwaran, founder of Trees for Free, and Mr Edwin Joseph, affectionately known as the “Sparrow Man of Bengaluru.”

The celebration opened with a reverent invocation dance by the novices of St Charles Novitiate (Premanjali). In her welcome address, Mrs Annette Diana Daniel set the tone for a day filled with purpose and passion. In a compelling demonstration, Mr Paul Koshy unpacked the 2025 theme—“Beat Plastic Pollution”—emphasizing not just the problem of plastic waste, but innovative solutions, including how plastics can be repurposed in construction.

A specially created audio-visual presentation, "Save Green, Save India", composed by Fr Jude Anand, moved the audience with its urgent call to ecological conversion. Heartfelt testimonies from Mrs Yegneshwaran and Mr Joseph offered real-life examples of how individual action can foster environmental transformation. Both were felicitated by Sr Precilla Lobo, Joint Secretary of the Commission for Ecology.

In a particularly touching segment, gardeners, sweepers, and cleaning staff were honoured for their often-unseen, yet indispensable role in sustaining our environment—receiving warm applause from the audience. Students of St Charles ICSE School presented a thought-provoking skit that contrasted being careless, careful, or caring toward nature—leaving the audience with a powerful takeaway about personal responsibility.

The programme’s highlight came when all participants took an Environmental Pledge, a unified act of commitment to safeguard the Earth. In his address, Bishop Satish Kumar brought theological and pastoral depth to the occasion, emphasizing that ecological concern is not just a social duty but a Christian vocation rooted in our faith.

Fr Balraj Joseph, Secretary of the Commission for Ecology, extended his heartfelt wishes to all on the occasion of World Environment Day. He said,

“Each seed we plant, each act of care we show to our environment, is a reflection of our faith in action. Let this day be a reminder that creation is God’s gift to us, and it is our sacred responsibility to nurture and protect it. May we all be sowers of hope for our planet.”

The day also included a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi and the late Pope Francis, through a moving musical rendition of the Canticle of Creation. Participants were then invited to take home seeds as part of an initiative titled “Be a Sower of Hope”. The best resulting project will be honoured on the feast day of St. Francis in October.

The event concluded with a Tree Planting Ceremony and the blessing of a newly constructed Rainwater Harvesting Project—turning words into action. A group photo and light refreshments brought the meaningful day to a joyful close.

Sr Precilla Lobo

Joint Secretary, Commission for Ecology

Archdiocese of Bangalore