Fr. John Rausch has spent 40 years defending the poor in Appalachia, helping with food and housing and commiserating with the loss of jobs. Suddenly in 2002, after a succession of floods set off by a mountaintop strip mine devastated com- munities, he saw everything in a new way. It is all connected! The problems of an impoverished community – jobs, health and housing – were inti- mately and inextricably tied to what was happen- ing to their environment.

Since then John has climbed mountains and walked old mine sites to conduct rituals teach- ing care of creation. What might be a momentary reflection turns into a significant remembrance through the use of natural symbols. After a flood, planting flowers brings hope. On abandoned strip mines, American chestnut trees reclaim the land. At a fracking well, wildflowers warn against pollution. Join us for this enlightening evening of listening to creation through symbols. Let your spirit become one with the world around it.