Following on the themes of his most recent encyclical "Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home," Pope Francis has announced a new commemoration, "World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation" to be celebrated annually on Sept. 1, beginning this year. 

In an Aug. 6 letter establishing this yearly event, His Holiness wrote that the day intends for Catholics "to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live."

To inaugurate this annual day of prayer in the Diocese of Trenton, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Mass Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel of St. Denis Parish --- the "Beach Chapel" -- at 554 E. Main Street in Manasquan. 

In announcing the event, Bishop O’Connell said, “Thanks to the gracious hospitality of Father William Lago, pastor of St. Denis Parish, we are able to commemorate this inaugural event in their beautiful chapel, which holds about 450 people.  It will be an appropriate setting for this Mass as the sun sets over the Jersey shoreline and a dramatic reminder of the beautiful gift of creation that we are called to protect.

Interested faithful are welcome to join in the worldwide day of prayer, either by attending Mass in the chapel or in their personal prayer. Priests of the Diocese are invited to concelebrate.