Seton Hall Celebrates Earth Day with Spiritual Reflection, Picnic and Student Action

On a beautiful April afternoon, the Seton Hall University community celebrated the 55th annual Earth Day, honoring the wonder and responsibility of caring for our shared planet. Emphasizing both spiritual and ethical dimensions, the day began with a special "Mass on the Grass" celebrated by Father Colin Kay and Father John Francis.

During the celebration, Father Kay reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis, who was a tireless advocate for environmental stewardship throughout his papacy. In 2015, the Vatican released the landmark encyclical Laudato Si' , urging Catholics — and all people of goodwill — to “care for our common home.” This call inspired Seton Hall to join the global Laudato Si’ movement. In 2023, the University took a significant step forward by establishing the Environmental Sustainability Committee, dedicated to educating the campus community and promoting action on urgent environmental issues.

Following Mass, students, staff and friends gathered for a vegetarian picnic under a tent outside the University Center. The eco-inspired menu, artfully created by Gourmet Dining Services, featured tofu shish kabobs, veggie burgers and Israeli couscous — an intentional nod to Pope Francis’ call for more sustainable and responsible living.

"Mindful eating and consuming delicious food are a wonderful and winning combination," noted event organizer Judith Stark, Ph.D., professor emerita in the Department of Philosophy.

The Earth Day Picnic was one of several events connected to Food Matters: Mindful Eating, an Idea Hall initiative. The project is supported by the Office of the Provost and was developed by Stark and Linda Karten, senior director of marketing and communications for University Relations.

Food Matters: Mindful Eating promotes plant-based eating and strategies to reduce food waste, cut carbon emissions and encourage healthier lifestyles. In addition to organizing events, Stark, Karten and graduate student Shayne Simmons have been working to revitalize student environmental engagement, starting with reimagining the campus environmental club.

Their efforts helped launch the Sustainability Action Club, a student organization dedicated to addressing environmental issues on campus and in the broader community. Club president Amelia Olson, a freshman diplomacy major from Berlin, New Jersey, joined this semester and has already taken on a leadership role.

"Earth Day was the perfect time to debut the club," said Olson. "It’s exciting to see Seton Hall supporting student-led environmental initiatives."

The Sustainability Action Club is open to all students and will begin hosting meetings and events again this fall. Vice president Mildred Ogari, a sophomore, shared that upcoming projects include planning an on-campus herb garden and promoting healthier, more sustainable food options in the dining halls. The club is also partnering with local communities in South Orange and Maplewood to support the Meat Me in the Middle campaign, which encourages reduced meat consumption for health and sustainability.

Another initiative under discussion is the expansion of the campus food pantry, currently located in Campus Ministry at Boland Hall. "This is something we’ve been talking about at recent meetings," Ogari said. "It’s a resource many students could benefit from."

But joining the Sustainability Action Club isn’t the only way to make a difference. Simple actions like cutting back on energy use, recycling or planting a garden can also have a meaningful impact.

"Being environmentally conscious doesn’t always mean doing something big," Olson added. "Just being aware of how your actions affect the environment — or even spending more time outside — can help you appreciate the world we’re trying to protect."

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service, Nation and World