Focusing on Stewardship of Creation in Carlsbad

San Jose Catholic Church in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Friar Valentine M. Jankowski promotes stewardship of creation at San Jose Catholic Church in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Friar Valentine – a Conventual Franciscan – is pastor of San Jose Parish.

In the 20th century, humanity started drifting away from the idea that we are part of God’s creation and have been given the task to maintain it for generations to come. Our development of technology turned us from stewards to exploiters who did not care about any damage that we might cause. The Franciscans however have never forgotten Francis of Assisi’s love and care for everything around him. Francis – it must be emphasized – never placed himself above creation, which is an attitude that we have to take on.

Carlsbad's famous caverns make visitors and residents

take note of God's creation around them

Holding this attitude – as one can learn at San Jose Parish – requires one to be grateful for what God has sent our way but also responsible about it. Sharing God’s gift of creation with all of humanity is also important. The earth produces enough food to sustain each and every human being. Our brothers and sisters go hungry only because the food that we have on this planet is not distributed properly. So taking care of creation is all about service to other people and the rest of the world. We must remember that on this planet we are all together and completely interdependent.

Each and every one of us is a steward of creation

(Sources of related images on webpage and homepage: www.searchpictures.net, www.sanjoseparish.org,

and www.buildafieldtrip.com.)