Stewardship of God’s Creation |
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The earth is a gift from God, entrusted to us and intended for the benefit of everyone. We have a responsibility to protect the planet and all its goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere consumers. We live our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. We show our respect for the Creator by caring for creation.
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Music and Lyrics by Kathy Sherman CSJ.
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Consider how you "touch the Earth" - with gentleness, gratitude, respect?
How do you see our society touching the Earth?
As we reflect on Brother Mickey’s tree, how has a special tree or trees affected you?
As a playground? Fruit-provider? Home for favorite birds?
A work of beauty and majesty?
Are you aware of any initiatives to preserve and replant deforested areas?
See Tree Planting Resources below.
Pope Francis speaks of "integral ecology." (Laudato Si, Chapter 4) “Everything is closely related ....Today’s problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis.”
- Where do you see relationships between Care of the Earth and social concerns: poverty, consumption patterns, economic disparity, trade, employment, racism, urbanization, disease, etc.?
- In your own community or globally, what examples have you encountered of environmental contamination or climate change affecting vulnerable persons? Consider the map and articles below to see where your community stands.
- WA State Dept. of Health’s Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map
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In Seattle’s polluted valley, pandemic and particulates are twin threats, by John Ryan
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Is Seattle creating ghettos of poverty and pollution? by Scott Sunde
St. Francis refers to animals and natural objects as "Brother" and "Sister," implying a mutuality in a relationship - both give, both receive. Indigenous Peoples speak of the Principles of the Honorable Harvest: When we harvest from Earth's bounty, we are called to do so in a way that Earth receives in return. We have received so much from the Earth! Can you think of ways you give back to Earth?
What does "stewardship of God’s creation" mean to you? How do you model for the children or grandchildren in your life that you are a good steward of God’s Earth?
What can we in the Catholic community learn from the environmental movement and what can we offer it?
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Wangari Maathai (1940-2011), winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, founded the Green Belt Movement which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya since 1977.
PeaceTrees Vietnam, an NGO based in Seattle, received the Distinction in International Studies Award (DISA) for its work to heal the legacy of the Vietnam War on the children and families in the dangerous Quảng TrịProvince by removing explosives, returning land to safe use, promoting peace and cultivating a brighter future through demining, building, planting and educating.
Trees for the Future, whose mission is to end hunger and poverty by training farmers to regenerate their land.
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GET INVOLVED DURING EARTH MONTH |
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EARTH-FRIENDLY OLL PARISH ZOOM OFFERINGS IN APRIL!
Trade Planet-friendly Recipes with Sr. Linda Riggers on Tuesday, Apr. 20, at 7pm.
We’ll trade good ideas. Bring a favorite recipe link or an email-ready recipe to the Zoom session and we’ll make sure participants receive each other’s recipes afterwards. Contact Sr. Linda to register and receive a link to the Zoom session: lriggers@gmail.com.
Tips for Produce Gardening with Bill Lavelle on Thursday, Apr. 29, at 7pm. Come with a favorite gardening tip to share and we’ll have an opportunity for Q&A. This session will be limited to 15 participants. Contact Bill Lavelle to register and receive a link to the Zoom session: jwlavelle@w-link.net.
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Restore Our Earth - Three Days of Climate Action, April 20-22: Earth Day 2021
Join Seattle University's Center For Environmental Justice and Sustainability for EARTH MONTH 2021. A month of opportunity for virtual action and learning.
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BOOKS
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Creation book/song for Families/Children
Sing by Ellie Holcomb, YouTube - official music video
NEWSLETTERS
Earthbeat Weekly is a free on-line publication of National Catholic Reporter that summarizes news about environmental issues, sent to subscribers on Fridays.
Catholic Climate Covenant monthly e-newsletter for the latest news on Catholic efforts to care for creation and care for the poor, and how you can be part of it.
EDUCATION
Catholic Climate Covenant: Catholic Climate Covenant inspires and equips people and institutions to care for creation and care for the poor. Through their 19 national partners, they guide the U.S. Church's response to climate change by educating, giving public witness, and offering resources.
RECOMMENDED FILMS
Keep up with what the Meaningful Movies Project is doing virtually HERE.
Kiss the Ground: Science experts and celebrity activists unpack the ways in which the earth’s soil may be the key to combatting climate change and preserving the planet, starring Woody Harrelson. It streams on Netflix.
Interfaith Power & Light: A Religious Response to Global Warming is making it possible for you to watch Kiss the Ground free between Apr. 10-26 by registering HERE.
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TAKE THE CATHOLIC CLIMATE COVENANT'S
ST. FRANCIS PLEDGE!
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The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor is a promise and a commitment by Catholic individuals, families, parishes, organizations and institutions to live our faith by protecting God’s Creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who face the harshest impacts of global climate change. To join the Covenant, you commit to act on each of the five elements of the St. Francis Pledge.
I/We Pledge to:
• PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
• LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
• ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
• ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
• ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.
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PRAYER TO CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME |
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Father of all, Creator and ruler of the universe, You entrusted your world to us as a gift. Help us to care for it and all people, that we may live in right relationship-- with You, with ourselves, with one another, and with creation. Christ our Lord, both divine and human, You lived among us and died for our sins. Help us to imitate your love for the human family by recognizing that we are all connected— to our brothers and sisters around the world, to those in poverty impacted by environmental devastation, and to future generations. Holy Spirit, giver of wisdom and love, You breathe life in us and guide us. Help us to live according to your vision, stirring to action the hearts of all— individuals and families, communities of faith, and civil and political leaders.
Triune God, help us to hear the cry of those in poverty, and the cry of the earth, so that we may together care for our common home.
Amen.
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Offered by Our Lady of the Lake Justice and Peace Committee |
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