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Care for Creation
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Laudato Si' On Care for Our Common Home is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to "every person living on this planet" for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.
Read the encyclic
al here. . .
Buy a copy (available in English and Spanish)
Creation Care Guide
Diocese of Columbus
Practical resource for families, parishes, schools, and community.God’s Creation, Our Common Home – Handout
Resource from Bishop Campbell’s Presentations addressing God’s Creation and the Opiate Addiction Epidemic
NEW RESOURCE
Creation Care Tips Bulletin Inserts
Autumn 2019
Summer 2019
2019 Feast of St. Francis
We Are All Connected:
Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor
Every October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis celebrates the saint who saw all created beings as his brother or sister. Inspired by this example, Catholic Climate Covenant produces a free educational program to help your faith community explore how it can better care for creation and the poor.
This year’s program, "We Are All Connected: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor", complements and accompanies the Vatican's Amazonian Synod and focuses on integral ecology, environmental and climate justice, and lifting the voice of indigenous communities. The program contains prayers, readings, a short video, and suggested activities.
To receive the free 90-minute educational program, CLICK HERE.
Upcoming Community Lecture
Religion and the Environment:
How Faith Communities are Caring for Our Common Home in Columbus and Beyond
Dr. Gregory E. Hitzhusen
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice of Religion, Ecology, and Sustainability
The Ohio State University
School of Environment and Natural Resources
Thursday, November 21, 2019
7 p.m.
St. Thomas More Newman Center
64 W. Lane Ave., Columbus
Religion and the Environment: How Faith Communities are Caring for Our Common Home in Columbus and Beyond is the title of a public lecture to be held on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the St. Thomas More Newman Center, 64 W. Lane Ave., Columbus. Dr. Gregory E. Hitzhusen of the Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources will highlight the efforts of the Diocese of Columbus to live out the message of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home as well as the work of other faith communities in central Ohio in the area of environmental sustainability. For details visit https://religion.osu.edu/events/community-lecture-presenting-greg-hitzhusen.
Religion and Environment Photo Contest
The Ohio State University
School of Environment and Natural ResourcesSubmit your creative photos for the OSU's Religion and Environment Photo Gallery and Contest by using the submission link below. A panel of Judges will determine the winning photos for cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200. Photos will be accepted from Sept. 14 to November 1, 2019, and the contest winners will be announced by November 15, 2019.
Show the world how you, your parish or school are caring for God's creation, CLICK HERE.Learn More
Church Teaching and Resources on the Environment
150th Anniversity Tree Planting - Diocese of Columbus.
Plant a tree to celebrate. For details, Click Here.
Ohio Bishops Offer Reflections on SB 310 Alternative Energy Legislation
Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 World Day of Peace Message: "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation"
Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001Renewing the Earth
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 14, 1991
RESOURCES
Office for Social Concerns
Creation Care Team
Serves as the central diocesan resource for social justice education and advocacy.Office of Development & Planning
Stewardship Resources
Catholic Conference of Ohio, Care for Creation
This webpage on environmental justice provides resources for families, parishes, schools, and other institutions. This webpage is an excellent link to current issues and Catholic teaching documents.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Environmental Justice Program
The Environmental Justice Program (EJP) educates and motivates Catholics to a deeper reverence and respect for God's creation, and encourages Catholics to address environmental problems, especially as they affect poor and vulnerable people. This website provides suggestions for action, discussion guides bulletin inserts, liturgy suggestions, action alerts.
Catholic Climate Covenant
(Start a Creation Care Team)
This organization promotes awareness about the threat of global climate change. This website has links to recent Vatican statements on climate change as well as simple things you can do to make a difference. Take the St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and the poor, learn how to create a Care for Creation Team, and advocate for sound public policy.Catholic Relief Services
Visit Catholic Relief Services’ Care for Creation resources. Be in solidarity with others around the world.Catholics Confront Global Poverty
Be in global solidarity with our neighbors.Catholic Rural Life Conference
CRL has extensive experience promoting stewardship of the land for rural, urban, and suburban communities.Shepherd’s Corner
This 160-acre ecology center operated by the Dominican Sisters of Peace offers education programs and activities on environmental stewardship.
Ohio Interfaith Power and Light
The organization encourages religious communities to go green. They can also help churches conduct an energy audit.
Columbus Green Spot
Make you parish or school a Green Spot. Take part in this local initiative. Educator’s Toolkit, Green Spot Backyards, sustainability classes, business and school resources, and much more.Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
The Ohio State University
Organize a parish or school tour.LOCAL ACTIVITIES - OFFICE FOR SOCIAL CONCERNS
Many parishes, schools, and groups in the diocese are working to promote good stewarship of the environment. For information about local activities, contact the Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or send us an email at socmailbox@colsdioc.org.Local Parishes Care for the Environment - The Catholic Times - July 27, 2008
