Today, the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concerns (CACEC) launched the fifth pilot site of the Laudate Deum Pocket Forest initiative at the Archbishop’s Residence Compound.
Vicar General Rev. Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes presided over the Votive Mass for the Care of Creation at the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Pedro Calungsod, together with Fr. Jonas Yap (CACEC Chair), formators of the Archdiocese’s Spiritual Pastoral Formation Year (SPFY) program, and the Archbishop’s private secretaries.
The launch was attended by SPFY seminarians and members of various lay communities.
Pastoral Letter
During the homily, Fr. Yap read the Pastoral Letter of Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” S. Uy for the Season of Creation 2026 entitled “Listen. Flow. Heal: A Listening Church for Our Common Home.” Archbishop Abet invited every parish, Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC), family, school, religious community, organization, business, and person of goodwill throughout Cebu to renew their commitment to care for our common home.
Anchoring his message on Ezekiel’s vision of the life-giving river, he reminded the faithful that the Church is called to bring God’s healing, renewal, and hope to a wounded world wherever it flows.
Listen to the cry
Archbishop Abet urged the faithful to care for creation by listening to both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, noting that environmental destruction often affects the most vulnerable by threatening their homes, livelihoods, health, and dignity.
Highlighting the message of integral ecology, he reminded the faithful that “everything is connected,” as the choices of individuals, businesses, and governments shape the well-being of both people and the environment.
“We cannot truly say that we love our neighbor while destroying the environment our neighbor needs in order to live.”
Let life flow
Calling on the faithful to let their faith lead them to action, Archbishop Abet highlighted the Archdiocese’s plan to establish Laudate Deum Pocket Forests in every parish—transforming small spaces into areas where native trees, plants, and biodiversity can flourish.
The initiative reflects a shared responsibility among all sectors of society, including government, businesses, schools, parishes, and families, to protect and care for creation.
“We should not wait for others before we begin. Small actions, when faithfully done by many, become a mighty river of change.”
Allow God to heal us
The good Archbishop also pointed to the deeper roots of the ecological crisis, describing it as a crisis of the human heart shaped by excessive consumption and waste. He stressed that true progress must not come at the expense of what future generations will need.
“The Season of Creation therefore calls us not only to environmental projects but to ecological conversion—a change in our way of life. Creation is not merely a collection of resources for our use. It is God’s gift entrusted to our care. Let us live more simply, waste less, share more, consume responsibly, and learn to be grateful for what is enough.”
Tree planting
After the Votive Mass, the participants proceeded to the Garden in the Archbishop’s Residence Compound for the treeplanting.
Fr. Yap encouraged the participants before the tree-planting activity by highlighting the three themes of the Season of Creation 2026: Listen. Flow. Heal. He called on the faithful to hear the cry of the earth and communities, work together in caring for creation, and restore the environment as an expression of love for our common home.
“Today, here at the residence of our dear archbishop, we plant not only trees. We plant hope, we plant commitment. We plant a vision for an Archdiocese that cares for our common home. May the 5 pilot sites inspire all our parishes to say, ‘Yes, we can do it. Yes, we must do it. Yes, we will do it together,” Fr. Yap said.
In his address before the treeplanting, Archbishop Abet also shared that he had long dreamed of establishing pocket forests in parishes even before coming to Cebu. He expressed gratitude that God brought people who shared the same vision and helped transform this dream into reality.
“Magsugod ta dinhi sa Cebu and I am so hopeful that with this thing, we can make a big difference in the whole province of Cebu. Dili lang parokya kondili apil kapilya, apil mga religious organizations ug mga barangays, mainspire nato,” he aspired for the faithful.