Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation

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Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation

About the Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation

During Jubilee Years, Catholics are called to examine our relationships with each other and our common home. We are to resolve conflicts, acknowledge and rectify harm caused, ask forgiveness, forgive debts, re-create equity, and embrace gratitude. 

Pilgrimage is an opportunity to undertake such a self-examination. The Finger Lakes Catholic Creation Care Covenant has taken up the call from the Laudato si Movement and Catholic Climate Covenant to create a variety of local “Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation.”

“Simply put, a pilgrimage is a spiritual journey. It can be made anywhere, by anyone, for just about any spiritual purpose. For Catholics, it means traveling to a destination — whether it’s a holy site, outdoor space, or even near to home — to experience God in a unique way. 

The goal is always transformation. Anyone can travel to a location, but the pilgrim seeks to encounter something deeper. In that way, a pilgrimage is never truly finished, because hopefully you will come back changed, unable to return to old ways of living or thinking.”  ~Verso Ministries~

So why might you undertake a pilgrimage of hope for creation?                                

You might want to:

  • Experience God in a different way
  • Step away, however briefly, from the hurry and worry of day-to-day life and breathe in and feel nature’s gift of peace and quiet
  • Open yourself to new ways of thinking
  • Find a deeper understanding of, or connection with, God through nature

Can you write down your own personal intentions for undertaking one of more of these pilgrimages?

How might you wish to be changed or different after your pilgrimage?

Can you keep your intentions front of mind as you walk?

Opportunities & Resources

  • Date/Time: Independent according to your schedule
  • Location: Braddock Bay Marina Trail (not Braddock Bay Park)
    At the Westport Marina on Braddock Bay, 105 E Manitou Rd, Rochester NY 14612
  • Ability Level:
    • Most children 3-5yo’s and normally active 70+ year old’s should be able to do this and enjoy it.
    • This is a 1 mile packed dirt, out and back, level path with Lake Ontario on one side and Braddock Bay on the other.
    • You can push a 3 wheeled stroller on this trail; but, if you need a walker, cane or wheelchair, this is not a good fit for you.
    • There is a sandy beach for child’s play
    • More information about the hike and transportation can be found in the Prayer Guide.
  • Resources:
  • Date/Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025 starting at 10:00 a.m. (or on your own).
  • Gathering Location: Meet at the Wok Tea Restaurant 912 Genesee St. at 10:00 a.m. (corner of Brooks Ave. and Genesee St.)
  • Gathering Details: Historian John Curran will curate the walk with us that day, and Father James Schwartz from Church of the Holy Spirit & St. Joseph’s in Penfield will lead us in prayer. Coffee and tea will be available for purchase and restrooms will be accessible. If you cannot join us on September 20th, we encourage you to walk this path on your own or with your own small group and use the guide below.
  • Pilgrimage Location: Begins at the Brooks Landing Business Complex to the Vacuum Oil Brownfield Site in Rochester, NY
  • Ability Level: The trail is flat and paved, making it ADA accessible. The distance between Brooks Landing and the Vacuum Oil brownfield site is 1.5 miles, or 3 miles roundtrip. Stay on the paved path and keep off of the cement retaining wall to avoid poison ivy.
  • Resources
  • More Information Coming Soon!
  • Location: Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site
    7000 County Road 41 (Boughton Hill Road) Victor, NY 14564
  • Parking: Northwest corner of County Rd. 41 adjacent to the brick house or at the Culture Center a little further west on Route 41
  • Difficulty: Look at this carefully to determine if this is  walk you can undertake.
    • This is an out 1.8 miles and back trail, a total of 3.6 miles.
    • There is a total of ~80 feet of descent outbound and ~80 feet ascent on returning. Start from the parking lot next to the brick house.
    • Most children 4-5yo and normally active 60+ year olds should be able to do this and enjoy it.
    • If you have significant strength, balance, or endurance problems, you might consider a different pilgrimage option, like the Trail of Peace
    • As described below, this is a walk done best alone, in pairs, or in a small group of not more than 5. That is big enough for conversation, but still small enough for silent reflection at the places where you “pause and ponder.”
  • A word about weather…
    • If there has been recent moderate to heavy rain, pick another day for this particular walk as the trail may be muddy and slippery. Or, using the same guide, walk the Trail of Peace in the lower right hand corner of the map below which can also be found here.
  • Resources
Map
Map 2
Map 3
  • Date/Time: Sunday, September 28, 2025 (2:00-3:00 p.m.)
  • Gathering Location: Along the Genesee River Behind the Staybridge Suites Hotel (1000 Genesee St. | Rochester | Corner of Brooks Ave. and Genesee St.) Parking can be found behind Brooks Landing.
  • Gathering Details: This pilgrimage is centered around an annual prayer service hosted by St. Monica Church in Rochester.
  • Resources
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 (7:00 p.m.)
    Rain Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (7:00 p.m.)
  • Location: 302 Lake Rd, Webster, NY 14580
    • PLEASE NOTE: The bridge over the bay outlet is not passable until Nov. 1. To access the park from any place on the west side of the bay, you will need to take 104 over the bay and exit at Bay Rd, turning right and following Bay Rd north until it ends at Lake Rd. Then turn left and the park is just ahead on your right.
  • Parking: There is parking on both the bay and lake sides of Lake Rd. There are several spots marked for handicapped parking.
  • Accessibility: This is an ideal pilgrimage destination for someone who desires to try a pilgrimage or meditative experience but would find the other suggested sites challenging in terms of the energy required or because of difficulty walking. The pilgrimage site is fully accessible for walkers, wheelchairs and strollers. Most of the pathways are flat with a stone dust surface. There is a very short gently sloped walkway to get to the benches. There are several picnic tables a very short distance from the parking spots. There benches overlooking the water. After about noon, most of the benches are in the shade. There is a small playground for younger children (4-5 years).
  • Additional Information: Most of the time during the week, this is a very quiet, unbusy, spot. Be aware there is almost always a breeze coming off the lake. Consider taking an additional sweater/jacket just in case. Public restrooms are available.
  • Resources
  • During the Season of Creation (Sept. 1-Oct. 4) we are encouraged to experience pilgrimages of hope for creation to connect with God and the natural world. Take a hike, spend time in a garden…and take time to pray. You can use the Ignatian Ecological Examen below as a guide for your personal pilgrimage in any location you find inspiration.
  • Resources
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PHC Details
PHC Details
PHC Details
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Catholic Climate Covenant Website
Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation Website
Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation Code of Conduct & Liability Information

Contact Information:

Marcus Ebenhoe
Director of Advocacy & Parish Social Ministry
Catholic Charities Family & Community Services
Diocese of Rochester
Marcus.ebenhoe@fcscharities.org

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