On this joyous day, when 63 students received the sacrament of Confirmation, we were blessed to have in our midst, his Lordship Bishop Thomas Dabre. His Lordship declared “The Year of Ecology “for the Poona diocese from the Sacred Heart Parish, Yerawada. Bishop Dabre exhorted the young candidates to become the true witnesses of Jesus Christ through their love for ecology – based on the theme dedicated to the “Year of Ecology” declared for the Pune Diocese.
Laudato Si is Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the environment or more formally – On care for ‘Our common home ‘. It is a worldwide wake up call to help humanity understand the destruction that man is rendering to the environment and his fellow brethren.
In The opening line, of the Encyclical Pope Francis quotes St. Francis of Assisi – “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.
This document is in many ways the epitome of Pope Francis. It presents the Gospel truths. He reminds us of our serious obligation to care for all creation. “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.” Pope Francis appeals to the world to work together to protect our planet. “Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.”
Keeping in mind the need to “care and protect our Mother nature”, our parish too has taken the following steps:
1) Planted 600 saplings in and around the church and school campus.
2) Working towards paperless office.
3) Reducing the use of plastics and promoting the use of paper and cloth bags.
4) Taking utmost care to ensure the cleanliness of the church premises.

Bishop Thomas Dabre planted a sapling to commemorate “The Year of Ecology”.