Care for Creation
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Laudato Si' On Care for Our Common Home is the 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.
Read the encyclic
al Laudato Si'Click Here. . .
Laudato Si' Week
May 16 to 24, 2020
Join Pope Francis and take the next step in your Laudato Si’ journey. Commit to an ambitious action that grows your response to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” No matter where you are in your journey, take the next step as a community during Laudato Si’ Week, 16-24 May, when Catholic communities everywhere celebrate the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’. For resources, visit www.laudatosiweek.org.
NEW Laudato Si' Activity Packet
Spring 2020
Laudato Si’ Activity Packet available for Families, Schools, and PSR programs. During this challenging time of observing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholics can still grow deeper in their faith and care for our common home, the earth, and our brothers and sisters in need. As this year marks the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical letter Laudato Si' On Care for Our Common Home and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the diocesan Creation Care Team has developed suggested activities to express care for God's creation. Click on the links below.
Family Packet
School/PSR Packet- Overview of Laudato Si' Activity Packet
- Prayer Suggestions
- Family Activities to Care for Creation
- School Lessons and Activities
- Get Outside Game
- Voices of Laudato Si' Student Project: Teachers Guide
- EXTENDED DEADLINE: Voices of Laudato Si' Student Project - DESCRIPTION | WATCH THIS VIDEO Instructions for Students
Additional Resources
Earth Day 2020 Program Packet by Catholic Climate Covenant
Laudato Si' Week (Vatican) is May 16-24
Guest Lecture at The Ohio State University's Religion and Environmental Values in America Class (ENR 3740) by Jerry Freewalt, Director, Office for Social Concerns on April 15, 2020 Note: To watch this recording enter Access Password: W1$4+f47
Plant Sale - proceeds help fund the Shepherd's Corner Ecological Center's food pantry garden
Coronavirus Response -
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Laudato Si' Background Resources
from USCCBLaudato Si': Caring for Our Common Home Discussion Guide | en Español -
This discussion guide, for use with Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', can help small groups explore and dialogue with this important document.Laudato Si': Caring for Our Common Home Bulletin Insert | en Español -
This one page document is a brief introduction to the encyclical and details ways you can respond to Pope Francis' call.Prayer to Care for Our Common Home (based on Laudato Si') | en Español
Capitol Hill Briefing on Encyclical Letter Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home
Creation Care Guide
Diocese of Columbus
Practical resource for families, parishes, schools, and community.
God’s Creation, Our Common Home
Handout
Resource addressing God’s Creation and the Opiate Addiction Epidemic
NEW RESOURCE
Creation Care Tips Bulletin Inserts
Spring 2020
Winter 2020
Autumn 2019
Summer 2019
50th Anniversary of Eart h Day
Catholic Climate Covenent developed a special Earth Day Program so that it can be used by indiviudals, families and online groups. CLICK HERE FOR THE PROGRAM.
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. -
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Watch Cardinal Peter Turkson's 2015 address to Ohio State on Laudato Si.
Learn More
Church Teaching and Resources on the Environment (USCCB)
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@columbuscatholic.org.