This year, Catholics all over the world celebrated the 5th anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’. Alongside that occasion, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
As we continue to celebrate with the start of the Season of Creation beginning September 1st, we offer these resources so that together we can learn, pray, and act on behalf of Sister Mother Earth as we continue to follow Pope Francis’ call to “hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
Learn
Protect Our Future Webinars, July 2020 (developed and hosted in cooperation with AFCU)
- Part One with Fr. Daniel P Horan, OFM and Meghan Clark, Ph.D.
- Part Two with two individuals actively putting the theory of Laudato Si’ into action in their lives
- Part Three where we delved into ways to actively participate in caring for our common home.
Laudato Si Week Webinar, May 2020 (Speaker: FAN Executive Director, Stephen Schneck)
Virtual Franciscan EAD Gathering, April 2020 (Speaker: Sr. Joan Brown, OSF)
Pope Francis’ Season of Creation message
Pray
- Season of Caring for Creation Prayer Guide by Carolyn D. Townes, OFS, National Animator of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the U.S. Secular Franciscan Order
- Guided Rosary on Caring for Creation
- Contemporary Interpretation of the Beatitudes (Inspired by Laudato Si’)
- Rev Nathan Empsall, MEM; Episcopal priest in New Haven, CT; editor of Episcopal Climate News; and campaigns director for Faithful America offers his sermon notes for use on October 3-4, connecting the scripture passages to the Feast of St. Francis.
Act
Take action each week by contacting your Members of Congress about legislation that impacts our environment.
- Start by urging your Members of Congress to oppose EPA rollbacks
- Additionally, here is a list of some relevant environmental bills in Congress that need our franciscan support.
We encourage you to join us in persistently advocating for our Brother Wind, Sister Water and Sister, Mother Earth. Write or call your elected officials regularly to let them know what concerns you. Our St. Clare Pledge has some sample scripts and tips to follow when making these calls. Thank you!
“Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically…He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.”
-Pope Francis, Laudato Si #10