by Andrew Conradi, ofs, JPIC & Laudato Si’ Animator
Pope Francis invites us to join the annual Season of Creation 1 Sept - 4 Oct
(See 1 min video produced in partnership with the Global Catholic Climate Movement)
(See 1 min video produced in partnership with the Global Catholic Climate Movement)
What could we do to celebrate this Season of Creation?
See the Season of Creation website for ideas
It is particularly rich for Catholics (mass, prayers etc.) that can be accessed here.
See the Season of Creation website for ideas
It is particularly rich for Catholics (mass, prayers etc.) that can be accessed here.
| On the first website one of the listed partners logos is shown here: How inspiring it would be to see OFS Canada’s logo as a partner! Perhaps our National Fraternity could consider joining? |  |
| The Season is part of a wider movement to renew action called for by Laudato si’. | "Time has grown short" |
You may remember in the June Common Good we highlighted that the Vatican through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development calls for renewed action in a new document introduced 16 May 2020: Journeying Towards Care for Our Common Home (Journeying). It quotes "Time has grown short" (1 Cor 7:29) on the urgency in how to implement the action required by Laudato Si’ (LS). Although not translated into English yet, enough is known about it to start thinking and planning action. (See a brief summary of the document here)
Catholic communities around the world are invited to join a grassroots movement to gradually work toward “total sustainability” in the coming decade; including carbon neutrality, simpler lifestyles and the divestment campaign from fossil fuels.
Catholic communities around the world are invited to join a grassroots movement to gradually work toward “total sustainability” in the coming decade; including carbon neutrality, simpler lifestyles and the divestment campaign from fossil fuels.
Decade of Laudato Si' Action
The Coming Decade of Laudato Si' Action will feature a multi-year "Laudato Si' Action Platform " with its Seven Goals and in June we asked you to check out the OFM’s Laudato Si' Revolution website for initiatives and resources.
GCCM Canada has asked Andrew to present on the Laudato Si' Action Platform and Seven Goals as part of their webinar A Just Transition on 19 September.
The Editors of FVC and GCCM-Canada separately in quite different letters wrote to the CCCB Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, 13 July asking them for strong leadership in this renewed action to respond to the cry of the earth and cry of the poor.
The Coming Decade of Laudato Si' Action will feature a multi-year "Laudato Si' Action Platform " with its Seven Goals and in June we asked you to check out the OFM’s Laudato Si' Revolution website for initiatives and resources.
GCCM Canada has asked Andrew to present on the Laudato Si' Action Platform and Seven Goals as part of their webinar A Just Transition on 19 September.
The Editors of FVC and GCCM-Canada separately in quite different letters wrote to the CCCB Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, 13 July asking them for strong leadership in this renewed action to respond to the cry of the earth and cry of the poor.
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Action
As a Season of Creation action we suggest that you ask your diocese, parish and group e.g. D&P, CWL, Knights etc. to become aware of Journeying Towards Care for Our Common Home. Promote it and consider what they could do in volunteering to help organise a grassroots movement to advocate and work for justice, peace and care for creation. "Time has grown short" (1 Cor 7:29) is an urgent call echoing through the scripture quote that opens these new Catholic Church operational guidelines for implementing Laudato Si’:
As a Season of Creation action we suggest that you ask your diocese, parish and group e.g. D&P, CWL, Knights etc. to become aware of Journeying Towards Care for Our Common Home. Promote it and consider what they could do in volunteering to help organise a grassroots movement to advocate and work for justice, peace and care for creation. "Time has grown short" (1 Cor 7:29) is an urgent call echoing through the scripture quote that opens these new Catholic Church operational guidelines for implementing Laudato Si’:
- Ask your Diocesan, Parish, CWL, Knights etc. newsletters, facebook pages and other social media to promote this renewed call to action
- Write letters, articles etc. to Catholic newspapers about what you are doing
- Ask people to take/sign the Laudato si’ pledge
- One parish, Holy Cross, Victoria, BC made magnetic fridge stickers of the pledge
- Ask that all coffee, tea and sugar served be certified fair trade and organic
- Ask for compostable paper plates and no single use plastic
- Use tap water instead of bottled water where possible
Eco-Parish Guide for Catholic Parishes
This free Eco-Parish Guide is a great resource for your parish to bring Laudato Si’ to life.
Developed in cooperation with GCCM’s partners around the globe, the guide is directed at Catholic parishes globally to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by addressing actions in relation to parish operations, the congregation, and the broader community. Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, the Eco-Parish guide offers an active response to Pope Francis’ call for climate change action in his encyclical, Laudato Si’.
This free comprehensive guide explains how parishes can make a difference by:
- forming green teams
- reducing parish emissions
- engaging parishioners on low carbon lifestyle choices
- advocating for climate justice
- caring for those harmed by climate change
If you want an example from Canada click here for one from Ottawa-Cornwall:
Care for God’s Creation – A Guide for Parishes
| Inequality A reminder on why we advocate in response to the cry of the poor: “Global ‘catastrophe’ looms as Covid-19 fuels inequality”. Read the Guardian's, "Global ‘catastrophe’ looms as Covid-19 fuels inequality" |  |
 | Water The posting of an OFS USA article in FVC on water reminds me that general Franciscan articles no matter how good only go so far. I prefer to go from the general straight to the particular and concrete action tailored for Canadians in line with Laudato si’ 179 i.e. political when necessary. With that in mind I bring you: “What we know (and don’t know) about Nestlé’s departure from Canada”. |
Peace & joy, Andrew, ofs - 31 July 2020
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