Catholic Movements to Care for Creation
Across the globe there have been many initiatives among Catholics to better care for our common home. Among them are the United States Council of Catholic Bishops’ Care for Creation, as well as the Laudato Si Movement, and the Catholic Climate Covenant, all of which seek to care for our environment and people on the margins. These organizations and their work are firmly rooted in Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching. Inspired by this work by our fellow Catholics, here at St. Francis, we have created our own group called the Creation Care Team.
St Francis Creation Care Team
Mission Statement
To educate and inspire others to become faithful stewards of the natural world and all its inhabitants.
Inspired and emboldened by this mindset, our mission will come to life across four Pillars:
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Ecological Connection – Discovering a greater appreciation for the natural world and understanding our obligation to protect it.
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Walking with Others – Loving and supporting our neighbors who have been overlooked by the rest of the world.
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Living Intentionally - Adapting our choices and behaviors to reduce our impact on the planet and those on the margins.
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Franciscan Spirituality - Developing a more intimate relationship with God by loving all of his creation.
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Sacred Gardens: designed, planted and maintain parking lot gardens with over 3800 native pollinator plants in partnership with the AuSable Institute.
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Care for Creation Sunday: Celebrating the Annual Season of Creation with a Creation Mass followed by an Earth Fair and blessing of the St Francis Sacred Grounds Gardens
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Composting: coordinating with local composting organizations to gain knowledge of and plan for composting
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Education Series: host programs and movies followed by discussion groups on a variety of topics
Updates on these projects and as well as new activities can be found in the weekly Sunday bulletin.
Projects:
Resources:
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Member church of the Catholic Climate Covenant-Creation Care Teams
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Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si