Mumbai Catholic Community Marks St. Augustine Feast with Call to Care for Creation

The St. Augustine Community in Mumbai marked the feast of its patron saint with a call for families to take greater responsibility for caring for creation and protecting the environment.

More than 50 members gathered on August 28 at Salvation Church in Dadar, a prominent Catholic parish in central Mumbai, for the celebration themed “Every Family, Every Home – Caring for Creation.”

Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra on India’s western coast, is one of Asia’s largest metropolitan areas. The city faces environmental challenges linked to rapid urbanization, waste management and pressure on natural resources, making the call for greater ecological responsibility particularly relevant to urban families.

The theme was inspired by the communication on “Integral Ecology in the Life of the Family,” issued by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. The document emphasizes the role of families in fostering harmony between people, creation and everyday lifestyles.

The celebration began with community prayer and a song in the presence of the community’s spiritual director, Fr. Joseph Pimenta. It continued with a march-past, games, music, dance and fellowship.

Environmental responsibility was incorporated into several activities. Participants matched environmentally responsible practices with relevant biblical passages, while a discussion on waste segregation focused on how responsible household practices can contribute to environmental protection and help safeguard vulnerable communities.

Each family received a pledge card outlining practical steps for caring for creation at home. Potted plants were given as prizes, while packets of seeds were distributed to all participants as an encouragement to put ecological awareness into practice.

Fr. Pimenta said Christian communities should show the same respect and responsibility toward creation as they do toward God.

“Our communities must be more respectful and responsible towards the creations of God as much as they love God,” he said, adding that families have an important role in teaching the value of caring for creation.

“We must now move from intent to action,” he said.

Community member Vivek Sonawane said the celebration offered members an opportunity to express their commitment to environmental responsibility.

“This year, our community celebration went a step further by beautifully reflecting our love and care for Creation,” he said, describing the gathering as a reminder of the responsibility to “nurture, protect and give back” to God’s creation.

Another participant, Nora Vaz, said the celebration encouraged members to become responsible stewards of their common home.

The feast concluded with families committing themselves to practical steps for protecting creation, linking the celebration of St. Augustine with a broader Christian responsibility to care for the environment.

The initiative reflects a growing emphasis within Catholic communities across Asia on integral ecology, particularly the role families and local communities can play in translating concern for the environment into everyday practices.