In 2015, Pope Francis reinvigorated the Catholic teaching on caring for creation with his Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home encyclical. Specified in Catholic Social Teaching in 1891, witnessed by the saints, and rooted in Scripture, Creation Care is not an “Earth Day” slogan, but an obligation of our faith. Although climate change is certainly a major global crisis with significant impact to our brothers and sisters around the world, this ministry is not limited to this one issue. Creation Care also draws our attention to issues such as air and water quality, just access to/use of energy resources, environmental degradation due to plastics, toxins and other harmful substances, and the eco-marginalization of our most vulnerable—unjust access to our planet, a gift from God. Perhaps most importantly, Creation Care calls us to see God manifest in all of creation and always with us.
So, how can you, your family, and your parish get involved with this ministry? Here is a quick summary to take away:
- Attend an introductory creation care workshop, offered either just prior to Lent or during the Season of Creation, September 1st through the Feast of St. Francis. If you would like to have a workshop conducted at your home parish, just send us an email, cslentz@sdcatholic.org. We are happy to come to you! If you are an individual or family and would like direct support, you are welcome to make an appointment to come visit.
- Register to participate in our SDCatholic Creation Care annual cycle. By doing so, you will be added to our communication list, making sure that you receive notification of Creation Care events and opportunities. This connectivity will also allow you to share your progress and help us celebrate your successes!
- We strongly encourage you to commit to the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform at www.laudatosiactionplatform.org. This online mechanism is for individuals, families, parishes, schools, and dioceses. The site offers you the option of an initial self-assessment before inviting you to plan what actions you can take each year to grow your care for creation. The platform offers you access to other submitted action plans to help you design your own. In addition, the Diocese of San Diego Creation Care Ministry has created a Creation Care Action Plan, which you can use as a resource. What you choose to do is totally up to you!
- Each year, during Lent, we invite you to reflect on your previous year and consider your plan for the next year. During Laudato Si’ Week in May, we ask you to submit your reflection in any format of your choosing and prepare your new plan—via the Laudato Si’ Action Platform as well as via email to cslentz@sdcatholic.org, so we can celebrate you at our annual Feast of Saint Francis Mass.
- Find more resources and information in our Workshop Electronic Folder.
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