Through his encyclical, Laudato Sí , Pope Francis gives us practical advice on how to tackle these world problems. He starts by asking each one of us, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children growing up?” As Catholics this is a time to pray and act, a time to renew our commitment to live in right relationship with God, creation and each other. Care of our Common Home is the call of Laudato Si` to each of us, to consider how we can become stewards of creation, for positive action and renewal.
Interested in participating in helping to change our world for the better? Join our Laudato Sí committee! Help us bring to our Collaborative the messages from the Pope’s encyclical and give practical suggestions for how to implement his ideas at home.
CONTACT: Barbara Pyles
News and Updates
Caring for Our Common Home: Let’s Remember to Honor Our Mother Earth
Mother’s Day 2021 - Let’s remember to Honor our Mother Earth On the seventh day there was silence in heaven. The mighty wind of life was still. The sea was calm. The morning stars glistened. And earth slept. The work was finished. Creation had been born and the Mother of all things rested. It was a holy day. The heavens and the earth were well. God saw its fullness, creation’s seventh day. (Genesis 2, adapted by Philip Newell) This Mother’s Day, take a moment to reflect on the above adaptation from Genesis and prayerfully consider your relationship with Mother Earth ...
Caring for Our Common Home: “We Will be More Resilient If We Work Together”
Care for nature so that it cares for us. ~ (Pope Francis) During a live internet event on Earth Day, Pope Francis addressed both world leaders who were participating in a global climate summit and also all citizens of the world. Though the pope cautioned that “we are at the brink” with climate change, he said that it is not too late for us or the environment and advised all that “we will be more resilient if we work together.” Pope Francis called the gathering "a happy occasion" and said it was an initiative that puts all of humanity on ...
Caring for Our Common Home: The Wonder of New Life Happening in Our Midst
The Easter message of Resurrection and renewal is evident all around us! Do our minds and hearts have the eyes to see the wonder of new life happening in our midst? The flowering of cherry blossoms that transform into the fruition of cherries is a small example of this wonder of God’s creation which we are called upon to steward for future generations and it encourages us to look deeply at the interconnections of earth, insects and pollinators. Ecology is a way of living our vocation as protectors of God’s handiwork in creation. “Our efforts … will be inadequate unless ...
Caring for Our Common Home: Opening Our Hearts to Our Connection with Others
Did you know that millions of gallons of water are used to produce the plastic water bottles we purchase for water? Did you know one-quarter of that bottled water is from the tap? Did you know the plastics industry uses recycling as a way to sell un-recyclable plastic? Indeed, for the oil and gas industries, plastic, which is made from petroleum, is their lifeline. That means that production of the plastic bottles harms the environment as well as the water bottles that end up in the landfills, so plastic water bottles have a negative effect on our earth from beginning ...
Caring for Our Common Home: Rejoice!
“Son of God,Jesus, through you all things were made. You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, and became part of the earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory.” (From “A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation”, Laudato Si` Prayers - Catholic.org ) During Lent we have spent forty days developing a closer relationship with God through prayer, sacrifice (simple living - self denial) and almsgiving. By the changes we made over these six and a half weeks, we have most likely experienced a ...
Caring for Our Common Home: Everything is Interconnected
Hosanna! Scripture tells us that people cut palm branches, waved them in the air, and laid them out on the ground before Jesus as He rode into the city of Jerusalem. Palms are mentioned in the Bible more than 30 times. From ancient history, palm branches have traditionally represented goodness and victory. Today many people associate palm branches with a sense of paradise. For us Catholics, palm branches also symbolize Jesus’ royal lineage from King David and Jesus' ultimate victory over death. The palm branches we use in our Palm Sunday services are often brought home as a witness of ...
Caring for Our Common Home: The Reawakening of the Earth
Nature is a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. (Pope Francis) On this first day of spring, may the reawakening of the earth, in all its fullness and beauty, stimulate within us the desire to care for our earth more reverently. We welcome you to help us in finding new ways to love and nurture the beauty that surrounds us and ask you to join us in prayer for our beloved planet … Loving God and Father, We are deeply grateful for your creation, And in ...
Caring for Our Common Home: Our Earth is a Sacred Gift from God
It has been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives. During this difficult time, we have found solace in nature, and appreciate more than ever that our earth is a sacred gift from God. In his encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis warns that we are facing “global environmental deterioration” and implores us to act (Laudato Si’, #3). He states, that we “have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breath her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.” (Laudato Si’, ...
Caring for Our Common Home: Creating a More Sustainable Home for the Future
Creating a more energy efficient home isn’t as hard and costly as you might think. Here are some ways to cut down on your energy usage and create a more sustainable home for the future: USE MOTION SENSORS– Motion sensors enable lights to go on and off when needed vs staying on for hours when not in use. INSTALL DIMMER SWITCHES– Dimming your lights reduces wattage and output, which helps save energy and reduce costs. USE ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES– Many of today's new appliances use half the energy of those from 20 years ago. If you're in the market, look ...
Caring for Our Common Home: Respecting God’s Creation in Nature Inside
“[Saint] Francis asked that part of the friary garden always be left untouched, so that wild flowers and herbs could grow there, and those who saw them could raise their minds to God, the creator of such beauty.” -Laudato Si #12 As we have read before, Pope Francis reflects on the inter-connectivity among all of creation. The effects of climate change are a real challenge and we are all called to do our share to maintain a livable environment for future generations. During this time of Lent we focus on improving our relationship with God. Let us also think of ...