Submitted News
TRIANGLE, Va. – As a way to celebrate Earth Day in a Franciscan manner, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Triangle is presenting “Brother Earth Day” at the parish on Sunday, April 21.
During and after the Sunday, April 21, 2013, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon Masses, there will be information tables with goodies to sample, including homemade, vegetarian muffins, cookies and brownies made from organic, local and/or fair trade ingredients, as well as handouts, displays, and demonstrations.
There will be information on how to conduct a home-energy audit, working with your utility company regarding energy conservation, and how to set up a home composting system.
There will also be hands-on activities, including the planting of a community flower and vegetable garden.
In addition, there will be a presentation at 10:00 a.m. by local environmental leaders that will address a host of issues.
The parish is also collecting and recycling old cell phones, shoes, printer cartridges, eye glasses, and batteries.
Everyone is invited to this free event. The parish is located at 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle, Virginia 22172. For more information, please call the parish office at 703.221.4044.
“Pope Francis has asked us to be protectors of one another and of the environment,” said Fr. Kevin Downey, O.F.M., pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. “Brother Earth Day will inspire us to do just that.”
In September 2012, St. Francis of Assisi Parish was accepted into the GreenFaith Certification Program, the country’s first interfaith environmental certification program for houses of worship. New Jersey-based GreenFaith (www.greenfaith.org) is an internationally recognized interfaith environmental coalition.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is the first house of worship in Virginia to enter this prestigious certification program.
Churches, synagogues, mosques and temples gain recognition as environmental leaders when they receive GreenFaith certification by carrying out more than two dozen environmental activities over two years. From eco-themed worship services and religious education on the environment, to reducing consumption in their buildings and engaging in environmental justice advocacy, participants “green” their communities. When a congregation completes the program, GreenFaith officially acknowledges it as a religious-environmental leader..
St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s “Brother Earth Day” is in conjunction with the parish’s certification requirements.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (www.stfrncis.org) is part of the Diocese of Arlington and was established in 1957 to serve the military community at Quantico Marine Base.
