St John’s Community Kiusam joined parishes across the Diocese of Kohima observed Green Sunday on May 31, ahead of World Environment Day, urging the faithful to renew their commitment to environmental stewardship and human dignity amid “alarming ecological degradation.”
The observance was held on the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”, set by the Diocese Commission for the Care of God’s Creation, drawing from Genesis 2:15: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
In his speech, Rev Fr Thomas Toretkiu reminded the congregation of humanity’s role as caretakers. “Scripture tells us that we live in a Garden, where we meet and worship our Creator,” he said, citing Genesis 2:8-9, 15. “Everyone knows we must keep our own house in good repair. Ecologically, this means keeping it good for everyone.”
Fr Toretkiu called for collective action from both young and old: transition to renewable energy, plant trees, reduce plastic pollution, and promote greener practices. Linking faith with ecology, he emphasized the significance of Sunday. “For us Christians, Sunday is the Lord’s Day — a day to heal and build our relationship with God, a day of the Lord’s Resurrection, a day of new creation, transformation and excellence.”
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He quoted Pope Francis from Laudato Si’ 237: “Sunday is the day of creation. Why? Because of Easter.”
To mark Green Sunday, community members planted trees on the church campus, symbolizing their pledge to nurture creation. The initiative reflects the Diocese of Kohima’s directive for all parishes, centres, and institutions to observe Green Sunday through concrete action.
In collaboration with Catholic Youth, men and women of the community also committed to greening the campus, maintaining a kitchen garden, and developing a waste management system. An awareness drive was held to educate parishioners on the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of sustainable living.
Community leaders officiated the tree-planting program and encouraged every household to replicate the effort in their own surroundings.
The observance concluded with a solemn Holy Trinity Sunday Eucharistic celebration, where the faithful prayed for wisdom to care for “our common home” and strength to live out the call of Laudato Si’ in daily life.
