The challenge is urgent, the time is now! This year marks the celebration of 50 years of Earth Day and 5 years since Pope Francis’ encyclical letter letter, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.
Both the message of Earth Day this year (Climate Action), Pope Francis’ encyclical, and the current COVID crisis around the world, give us reason to think what we can do now to protect the earth and our local communities for everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable.
What can I/we do?
Join with Catholics around the world in taking action for creation! We’ve compiled a few ideas to share.
Earth Cube Activity
In collaboration with The Earth Cube here is an easy activity to start taking action today! Roll the cube (online or print) each day during Laudato Si’ Week. Get your phrase to live for the day, then share what you did with your friends and family!
Prayers for Creation
May 22 – Evening Prayer with the Sisters of St. Benedict
The Sisters of St. Benedict at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana will live stream an evening prayer dedicated to Laudato Si’ Week on May 22 at 5:15pm. Join this prayer (and every day) on their Facebook Page.
May 24 – Global Day of Prayer for the 5th Anniversary of Laudato Si’
Bring solidarity to our world in a shared moment of prayer at noon your local time on May 24. Catholics from all across the globe will be united in spirit because “everything is connected.”
Use this prayer from Laudato Si’ Week or share your own prayers on social media using the hashtag #LaudatoSi5.
May 16 – 24 – A Novena of Creation / Novena de la Creacion
Available in English and Spanish, a novena of creation from the Carmelite NGO.
Any day! New prayer card from the USCCB
Take a moment to reflect on the themes from a new prayer card from the USCCB. What steps can I take in my local community?
Bishops’ Roundtable (and new program for young Catholics)
The in addition to the prayer card, the USCCB is hosting a Laudato Si’ Week Bishop’s Roundtable (May 20 at 2pm EDT) – a dialogue between Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop Robert Barron, and Bishop Robert W. McElroy, moderated by Marianne Comfort, justice coordinator for the Sisters of Mercy. (A second roundtable in Spanish will be held June 18 with speakers TBA).
The roundatable will appear as a live stream at the top of the USCCB page on environment – http://www.usccb.org/environment
Later this summer the conference will launch a Laudato Si’ advocates program to train young Catholics to share the encyclical’s message and promote protection of the environment.
Other resources and programs
There are many resources and programs available to name a few!
Hope for Creation (submit prayers, meditations, stories, essays, statements, reflections, art, poems, songs, photos, videos, etc. that lift up your love and hope for God’s creation!)
Events, webinars, and trainings from Laudato Si’ Week partners
Catholic Climate Covenant EarthDay/Laudato Si’ Week Program
Video children’s book “Drop by Drop” on access to water
Mercy Earth Challenge (Sisters of Mercy)
More happening after Laudato Si’ Week
Here are some upcoming events and stay tuned for more during the Season of Creation (Sept 1 – Oct 4) and (just announced!) Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year (May 24, 2020 – May 21, 2020).
Webinar: Covid-19’s Impacts on God’s Creation and Vulnerable Communities (Catholic Climate Covenant) – Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m. EST. Connect the dots between the pandemic and the disproportionate impacts on low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. The webinar will also look at what the COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us about our treatment of God’s creation and how we can stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities during this pandemic. (Presenters: Fr. Sean McDonagh and Dr. Sacoby Wilson). Register here
Webinar: Laudato Sí’ After Five Years – Hearing the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor – Friday, May 29 at 12pm EST. An online dialogue with Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Dan Misleh, founding executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, Kim Wasserman, executive director of Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and Christiana Zenner, associate professor of theology, science, and ethics in the department of theology at Fordham University. Register here