PHOENIX - April 6, 2008, was a particularly gorgeous Phoenix day. The morning glistened with glowing sunlight from the east as the two simultaneous Earth Masses began at 10 a.m.: one in the main church and one in the Close Garden. The liturgy, music, and prayers were devoted to caring for God's creation.

After the services, parishioners and people from the community at large walked along a Creation-banner lined path to the athletic field that had been transformed into a giant Green Festival. The path was filled with projects of the Day School students: miniature replicas of the rain forest, poster boards with "green facts" and paper chains made from cancelled catalogs.

On the field were more than 50 tents housing booths, demonstrations, student projects and activities, and music. "Vincent On Camelback" featured delicious wood-fired pizzas and panini's along with a farmer's market of garden-fresh produce and flowers. Smokey Bear from the Tonto National Forest greeted visitors as they arrived.

The obvious theme for the day was learning to care for creation by looking to environmentally-sustainable ways to live through new products, new ways of doing things, and a whole new attitude. More than 600 people gathered over the 3-hour period. From the rock-climbing wall and the archery gallery to the fun music of "Toadhouse" and the "Up-A-Creek Symphony," people walked the booths manned by Arizona Public Service, Audubon Society, Liberty Wildlife (with live birds), EmagineGreen, and a variety of retailers specializing in ‘green' products for an eco-friendly lifestyle.

It was lots of fun, but it was also lots of learning. Everyone walked away with lots of green ideas, gifts, and product samples, as well as happy hearts.

The comments since the festival have been plentiful. People are changing their lives to conserve our precious resources and to think twice about the impact of our actions on creation. 

That alone made the day a success. But, it is the ongoing changes at the church and school to live in accordance with these goals which really makes it all worthwhile. A big thank you to the dozens of volunteers and vendors who made this event possible.