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Preparing for the 2026 Season of Creation August 24th, 2026

From September 1st through October 4th, people of faith around the world come together in prayer and action for our common home.

Inspired by Ezekiel 47:1–12, this year’s theme invites us to “step into the waters”—renewing our relationship with God, one another, and creation.

FIND 2026 Season of Creation Resources: https://bit.ly/4hS4jfo

 

Happy Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet April 22nd, 2026

Earth Day, annually celebrated on April 22, is the largest secular observance in the world. It was first observed in 1970. 

  • 2026 Theme – Our Power, Our Planet: This theme emphasizes the power of communities, innovators, and individuals to drive climate action and adopt sustainable practices.

Celebrated worldwide, events include community cleanups, educational workshops, tree plantings, and town halls, highlighting that local action drives global change.

 

 

 


May – Heartfelt Reflections from OMI Novices, Reflection 4 by Br. Alfred Lungu May 19th, 2025

Introduced by Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center

This Novitiate year we have been immersed in Pope Francis’ words as they come to us in his encyclical Laudato Si. As we ended our time together here at Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in April, the Novices offered to share their thoughts about ecological conversion as described in Laudato Si. May their words honor the memory of Pope Francis.

A Personal Reflection by Br. Alfred Lungu

Young man standing up amidst slim cherry blossom treeFinding our purpose can be hard today. Have we taken time to wonder about our role in the world and how we relate to people, nature, and animals? Why are humans so important on this planet? We need to think about this. Because some of our brothers and sisters have left this beautiful planet without resolving these problems.

It’s not too late to change how we see things. We can build a world that helps all life. What we do affects the Earth and other creatures. Nature and its animals are part of our world too. It’s wrong to treat them like they’re just for us to use (essential commodities). In fact, Pope Francis, calls them “Our brothers and sisters.” It’s upsetting to see how we ignore other species to get rich. If money drives these actions, we need to rethink things.

We all have a job to protect the Earth. It’s not ours forever; future generations will get it. So, we must make a safe and good place for them. If we don’t care for our planet, the damage can’t be fixed.

Everything in creation matters—nature, animals, and people. We must respect all life. Money is important, but we shouldn’t treat other living things like objects to be used and trashed. We need to think about why we’re here and make sure our actions protect the Earth.

(Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay)Group of children one holding a small globe

 


2024 Season of Creation: Join the Global Movement to Nurture Our Planet August 30th, 2024

The firstfruits of hope (Romans 8:19-25)

The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action for our common home, celebrated by Christians everywhere from September 1 to October 4. This year’s theme is “To hope and act with Creation.”

Oblate Scholastic Musonda Choto, OMI and Fr. Jack Lau, OMI prepare Sacred Heart Church, Oakland, CA for the Season as shown in these are photos.

 
More about the Season of Creation: seasonofcreation.org
 
Visit the Church’s website: sacredheartoak.org 
 
 

Climate Change: ICCR Members Review Past Work and Plan for 2018-19 Corporate Engagement Season July 18th, 2018

By Frank Sherman

The ICCR Climate Change Workgroup met in mid-June, hosted by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, an ICCR member in NYC, to evaluate the progress over the past year and chart out a path forward for the 2018-19 corporate engagement season. We took time to reflect on the social and faith trends; review the political and economic landscape; and map the growing investor actions on climate. We then evaluated our progress over the past couple years before developing a SWOT analysis, mission and vision. In the afternoon, we discussed the path forward by re-directing the existing programs and discussing some new areas to pursue.

Jake Barnett (Morgan Stanley Graystone), together with Mary Beth Gallagher (Tri-State CRI), presented the climate justice perspective by describing the disproportionate adverse impacts climate change has on vulnerable communities. These include decreased agricultural production due to drought resulting in increased migration, disproportionate impacts on women, increased disease burdens due to intensified heat and insect-borne diseases, and displacement from intensified storms due to lack of resilience (e.g. Hurricane Harvey and Maria). In addition, roughly 1.1 billion people lack access to electricity, making the provision of clean, affordable energy essential for communities trying to escape poverty. Unlike secular asset managers, the faith community can elevate climate change from a partisan political discourse to a moral issue that we are all called to address. We need to be bold and exhibit urgency by leveraging partner organizations (Human Rights Watch, Earth Justice, Sierra Club, etc.), and put a human face on the climate change impacts.

Aaron Ziulkowski (Walden Asset) provided the political and economic overview noting that, despite growing awareness, global GHG emissions continue to rise, although they have leveled off in OECD (developed) countries. The national commitments made in Paris fall short of the 2 degree scenario and get the world nowhere near the 1.5 degree ambition. Transportation has replaced electricity production as the top emitter in the U.S. due to the displacement of coal by natural gas. Despite the White House announced withdraw from Paris, several states have set targets for GHG reduction, renewable energy and CAFÉ standards (which reduce auto emissions) that exceed federal standards. Japan, the EU, China and India continue to increase CAFÉ standards while Trump’s EPA rolls back U.S. targets. The EPA is being sued for rolling back methane emissions standards in oil & gas production. Economists are confident that economics wins over politics with the cost of unsubsidized wind and solar electrical power now competitive with fossil fuels. We agreed to step up public advocacy and pressure corporations to do the same if the U.S. wants to remain competitive in a low carbon world.

Read the rest of the article on Seventh Generation’s website.

 

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