Amid new reporting indicating that neglect of neighborhood distribution lines contributed to last winter’s massive Altadena fires, Catholic high school students are taking action through faith and advocacy.
On Saturday, October 4, more than 50 Loyola High School students will lead a Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation to the Eaton Fire site. Beginning at the Pasadena Job Center, the group will walk the fire trail to honor victims, pray for healing, and advocate for greater community support and environmental stewardship.
These student leaders from Loyola High School’s Arrupe Scholars Program are joining more than 250 parishes and groups nationwide participating in The Pilgrims of Hope for Creation (POHFC) — a national effort uniting Catholics in ecological reflection and local pilgrimages to care for “our common home.”
Founded in 2025, the POHFC initiative represents an unprecedented collaboration among over 20 Catholic institutions and creation care organizations. It commemorates the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the Jubilee Year, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures — all milestones celebrating faith and the environment.
“My grandmother lives in my room now, which isn’t horrible, but the fact that all her stuff and home are now burnt is even hard to imagine,” shared Loyola student Luke Spore. “Her community needs help quickly so they can start to rebuild instead of just cleaning up.”
“Climate change isn’t a problem for the future or the next generations to solve,” said Loyola student leader Jonas Merchan. “It’s our responsibility to act now and to feel the burden of our rapidly changing climate.”
“The habitats of all the animals in the Eaton Canyon area were destroyed and turned to ash,” noted student Joseph Scholar. “If you visit today, you’ll still see the remnants—it looks like it just happened yesterday.”
“All God’s creation is interconnected,” said Father Jerry Hudson, SJ, of Loyola High School. “It’s our responsibility to take care of it and ensure what we do is not harmful to us or the environment—because it is all God’s creation.”
