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Faith Connections’ upcoming Hike and Prayer, themed “The Green Spirit of the City,” will take place at Evergreen Brick Works, a community environmental centre in Toronto.

It’s easy to be green at annual Hike and Prayer

By  Sarah Gagliano, Youth Speak News
  • June 29, 2011

TORONTO - Young adults in Toronto will have the opportunity to be stewards of the Earth at this year’s Hike and Prayer.

Run by Faith Connections, a ministry for young adults run by the Sisters of St. Joseph, this year’s annual hike takes place July 9 with the theme, “The Green Spirit of the City.” Participants will have an opportunity to hike and reflect at the newly renovated Evergreen Brick Works, a community environmental centre in Toronto’s Don Valley.

“Young adults are eager to learn and share with each other about how they can better care for the Earth and all of creation in their daily lives,” said Kelly Bourke, interim program director of Faith Connections. “The hike will give young adults an opportunity to meet new friends with similar concerns and to learn and share about ways to connect ecology, faith, good food and a greener approach.”

Evergreen Brick Works, run by Evergreen, a national charity, has transformed the site from a collection of deteriorating heritage buildings into one of the top 10 finalists in National Geographic’s Geotourism Challenge in 2010. The site was recognized for connecting city dwellers with nature.

There are many different eco-friendly activities planned for the event. Participants will be able to hike along the trail, socialize in a natural and interactive educational setting, visit the farmers’ market and “reflect on ways to be greener in their day-to-day lives,” said Bourke.

One of the event’s main aims is to help young adults reflect on the daily relevance of important faith issues, including care for creation, care for the poor, solidarity and sustainability.

And being eco-friendly should be important for Catholics because caring for the environment is rooted in the faith of the Church, said Bourke.

“Our faith calls us to see all of creation as a gift we must appreciate, share and sustain.”

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and will end at the Brick Works Farmers’ Market at noon. Registration is not required.

For more information, e-mail Bourke at faithconnections@csj-to.ca or see www.faithconnections.ca.

(Gagliano, 20, is a life sciences student at the University of Toronto.)

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