Students around the Archdiocese celebrate Earth Day, in keeping with Laudato Si’

Over the past week, students around the Archdiocese of Newark have been observing Earth Day, which was celebrated on April 22 this year, with prayer, community service, arts and crafts, and comprehensive discussions in the classroom and beyond protecting the environment and saving the planet. 

As Pope Francis writes in Laudato Si: "A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor... Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society." 

According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), “Care for the earth” is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of the Catholic faith. On their website, the NCEA writes, “We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored." 

Here are some of the projects and activities students around the Archdiocese have done in recognition of Earth Day: 


Students on the Campus Ministry Team at Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair spent time over Spring Break helping to clean up local parks. 
 

Students at Saint Leo’s School in Elmwood Park picked up litter around the property and took a nature walk around the school grounds. 


Students at Saint Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale engaged in various service activities during their Senior Day of Service, which included environmental beautification projects in the community. 


Students at Christ the Teacher Academy in Fort Lee created seed bombs to spread around the school grounds. 


Students at Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock learned about the significance of Earth Day and made pledges to help protect the environment. One student, Eilish, wrote “I will recycle!” as her pledge. 


Students at Queen of Peace Grammar School in North Arlington made artwork to celebrate Earth Day. 


Students at Saint Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield created some Earth-Day-themed crafts.
  Students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Tenafly were given an assignment to create artwork "that mirrors God’s beautiful creation.” Here, a student in Pre-K 4 paints a cardboard model of the Earth. 

The Student Council at St. John's Academy in Hillsdale planted azalea bushes on campus to celebrate Earth Day.


Students at Our Lady of Czestochowa School in Jersey City created Earth Day artwork displayed around the school building.