August 2022
Special Editions... these next two issues will be a tribute to Laudato Si Season of Creation - the Global Movement Care for Our Common Home!
“A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings.” Laudato Si’ 91
Pope Francis finished writing Laudato Si' Encyclical on May 24, 2015. One year later, thousands of Catholics united to celebrate the encyclical that had already spurred prayer and action for our common home. Laudato Si' is Italian for “Praise be to You." The Season of Creation starts 1 September and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home.
In this issue:
Features
Laudato Si'
The Lampstand
Learn Something New
Call to Action
Expand Your Horizons
Laudato Si “Praise be to You!
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of upcoming events see the Social Action Calendar.
There the angel of the LORD appeared to him as fire flaming out of a bush. When he looked, although the bush was on fire, it was not being consumed. So Moses decided, I must turn aside to look at this remarkable sight. Why does the bush not burn up? When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to look, God called out to him from the bush: Moses! Moses! He answered, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:2-4.
Features
(Care for God's Creation)
USCCB Environmental Justice Advocacy in 2022. Check out the many ways the Bishops are advocating for Care of Creation, Life and Dignity of Humans, and Care for the Poor and Vulnerable. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement: I am grateful to the Senate for their efforts to support the environment and lower drug prices through the Inflation Reduction Act. It is also prudent that this legislation contains revenue provisions to offset the investments when concerns around inflation and the economy are high. Climate change is a global challenge that requires courageous, long-term action from Congress, and I am grateful for the many substantial climate provisions that bring the United States closer to honoring its emissions reductions goals under the Paris Agreement, which Pope Francis has strongly encouraged us to meet. This is a meaningful effort to care for our common home. Provisions in this package will help to curb greenhouse gas emissions while seeking to safeguard the economy and give preference to the poor.
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Laudato Si'
(Care for God's Creation)
Franciscan Peace Center Director of Strategic Planning - Jennifer Kryszak shares 2022 Laudato Si commitments of Clinton, Iowa Franciscans. In May 2022, the Clinton Franciscans celebrated Laudato Si’ Week with a reflection series on their Laudato Si’ Action Plan goals. Sisters and Associates wrote about their own personal journey to deep commitments in the areas of Eco-spirituality, Care for Creation, systemic racism, income inequality and basic human rights, nuclear disarmament, immigration, anti-trafficking, and restorative justice. These can be found at https://clintonfranciscans.com/laudato-si-week-2022-reflections.
To mark the commemoration of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and draw further attention to the International Day Against Nuclear Tests on August 2th, the Franciscan Peace Center is publishing a five-part weekly information series on the connections between nuclear weapons and climate change. Drawing on infographics from Pax Christi International, this series explores the impact of nuclear weapons and our responsibility to challenge current practices to protect the environment as well as human life. To explore “What Do Nuke Have to Do with Climate Change,” please visit the “Living Out Our Commitment” section of the Clinton Franciscan website: https://clintonfranciscans.com/our-mission/laudato-si-action-platform.
The Clinton Franciscans’ Laudato Si’ Action Plan includes several responses to the Cry of the Earth. These goals are directed at the community to encourage personal and communal conversion to an integral ecology that seeks to listen to the voice of creation and assess our impact on the local and global environment. Much work is already being done on assessing solar panel efficiency, the carbon footprint of the vehicle fleet, the needs of wildlife habitats on The Canticle property, and single-use plastics. In order to make progress on these goals, Laudato Si’ Action Plan committee members and the larger Clinton Franciscan family have committed themselves to decentering human desire to listen deeply to the needs of creation.
Our Lady of Victory Parish in Davenport IA is answering the call with Grand Adventures where over 250 picked up pledge cards for the opportunity to Care for Creation and bridge the young and old in practicing Eco-Spirituality, Less is Blessed and Advocacy to Care for Creation.
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The Lampstand -
(Care for God's Creation)
A high school junior in the Davenport Deanery shares her concerns about climate's impact on her future and her hopes. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others." -Philippians 2:4. Humans are responsible for taking care of the environment for our future generations to thrive on this planet. As a young person and a part of this future generation, I am frustrated with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Clean Air Act. The Supreme Court is making the decision that will not affect their own lives, but instead mine and the generations to come. Whether it is endangered species, deforestation, or rising sea levels, humans have caused an incredible amount of damage to the earth, some nearly irreversible.
The coral reefs are a great example of the impact of our carbon footprint. Coral reefs are home to a variety of fish and marine life as well as being depended on by millions of people for food and a source of income, contributing nearly 10 trillion dollars to the economy. Unfortunately, because of pollution, ocean acidification, and overfishing we have lost over half of our coral reefs around the world. Humans carelessness with the use of coal, oil, and gas is a main cause of the damage of this and much more.
While it feels like there is little we can do as individuals to reduce our carbon footprint, there is always something that can be done. As simple as drinking from reusable water bottles, carpooling when possible, and choosing vegetarian options. Each of us, doing our part is so important. As a new driver I have thought about my own carbon footprint and what I can do to reduce the impact it makes on the environment.
Though the Supreme Court’s frustrating decision may set us back, the world has begun to open their eyes and recognize the crucial issue of climate change. Sustainable energy (solar, wind) and electric cars are perfect examples of the progress we have already made. Let’s hope we will continue to keep this mindset. Everyone is responsible for doing our part, whether big or small, not for ourselves but for our grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have hope society can right its wrongs and work together to make the earth a healthier place for our future generations. Elexa A,
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Learn Something New
(Care for God's Creation)
Catholic farmers find spiritual connection doing the dirty work . The magazine US Catholic has published a fascinating article on Catholic farmers who “do the dirty work of sustainable living.” The story includes the Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province, who were inspired by the writings of Pope Francis to reclaim and rehabilitate their land. Now, all their harvested food is grown without pesticides or chemicals.
Call to Action
(Care for God's Creation)
Inflation Reduction Act was an answered prayer. Read all the great details here. Thank God and Congress! America can do great things with God's Help. This is a marathon not a sprint. Keep informed, praying, acting and advocating for our Common Home. Laudato Si “Praise be to You!”
Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition Last year, more than 120,000 Catholics and 420 organizations, united and signed the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition. This year at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15), we’re going to do the same and lift up all voices of God’s creation, especially those of the most vulnerable. Signing the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition today helps to encourage and support all Catholic efforts at the global UN climate and biodiversity meetings to care for God’s Creation and those currently suffering from extreme climate. "The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change” (LS 13). Sign the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Petition
Divesting in Fossil Fuel and Investing in a Health Planet is Happening across the globe with many institutions making this a goal. You can read more about this in a National Catholic Reporter article. If your institution would like to explore this, Laudato Si Movement has a step by step process to do this in any institution. They also share the heroes who have already begun divesting with examples that may help an institution form their plan.
Expand Your Horizons
(Care for God's Creation)
Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat 2664 145th Avenue Wheatland, Iowa
Thursday, September 22 | 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Forest Bathing and the Fall Equinox: An Immersive Experience
Emelia Sautter
Learn to take a sensory, body-focused walk with the more-than-human world.
Fee: $35 includes lunch
To register by email contact: olpretreat@chmiowa.org or call 563-374-1092.
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