News Archives » Laudato Si
Register Now for LaVista’s Fall Earth Literacy Program! September 9th, 2016
(Photo courtesy of Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI)
Exploring the Sacred Universe Earth Literacy Program in Godfrey, IL
Dates: Fri., Oct.19 beginning at 6:00 pm – Sun., Oct. 23, ending at 1:00 pm
Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home has brought new life to this classic program as readers look for ways to deepen their relationship with and responsibility for our common home. That is what we offer during these days of interactive community learning. For the second year we are offering a shortened version of our “Exploring the Sacred Universe” Earth Literacy Program.
Participants will be joined by Oblate Novices, young men from several countries currently studying at La Vista. Last year’s very rich experience during beautiful fall days encouraged us to make this an annual event.
Activities will include sacred rituals, journaling, a field trip, dialogue, cooking and gardening. Presenters will include:
Norman Comtois, OMI
Sharon Zayac, OP
Maxine Pohlman, SSND
And other local bioregional specialists
For a detailed description and registration information download the brochure or visit us online at www.lavistaelc.org. You can also call LaVista at: 618-466-5004.
Program cost: $350 (includes lodging and meals). A $50 nonrefundable deposit is due at registration with the balance due upon arrival.
Celebrating a Worldwide Season of Creation September 1st, 2016
La Vista Ecological Learning Center invites you to participate in the
Worldwide Season of Creation
September 1 – October 4, 2016
(Visit seasonofcreation.com for worship resources)
Last year Pope Francis designated September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, joining the Orthodox Church which has been celebrating it since 1989. The day has now been extended by some groups to be a month-long Season of Creation, ending on October 4 (Feast of St. Francis).
Speaking to the faithful on Sunday, August 28th, 2016, Pope Francis said, “This coming Thursday, September 1st, we will mark the World Day of Prayer for the care of creation, together with our Orthodox brothers and with other Churches,” describing the event as, “an opportunity to strengthen the common commitment to safeguard life, respecting the environment and nature.”
Announcing this special day in 2015, Pope Francis said Christians want to make their special contribution to safeguarding creation, but to do that they must rediscover the spiritual foundations of their approach to earthly realities, beginning with an acknowledgment that “the life of the spirit is not dissociated from the body or from nature,” but lived in communion with all worldly realities.
The ecological crisis, he said, is a summons “to a profound spiritual conversion” and to a way of life that clearly shows they are believers. Quoting his encyclical, he said, “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”
For Your Reflection
Pope Francis calls upon our Christian faith to care for nature and for the most vulnerable among us, honoring the three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbor, and with Earth. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature.
Selected Quotes from Laudato Si’
“Each community can take from the bounty of Earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect Earth and ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations. “(67)
“Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, and political and for the distribution of good. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries.” (25)
“Fresh drinking water is an issue of primary importance, since it is indispensable for human life and for supporting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems” (28)
“The spirit of God has filled the universe with possibilities and therefore from the very heart of things, something new can emerge”. (80)
“The entire material universe speaks of God’s love and boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God. ” (84)
“Everything is interconnected, and genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and faithfulness to others.” (70)
“Our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God. “(119)
What touches your heart? What calls you to action?
(Thank you to Denise Turcotte, CSC, for calling us to deepen our relationship with our rare and precious planet.)
Reflecting on the One Year Anniversary of Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home June 17th, 2016
A year ago Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate joined the world in welcoming Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home. As we observe the encyclical’s one-year anniversary, we invite you to join us in reflecting on a few of the document’s themes. Please use this resource with your church groups and ministries to further conversation and share your faith. (Theme descriptions and reflection questions adapted from US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Laudato Si resources, 2015)
EXCERPT FROM LAUDATO SI (Spanish translation and photo by Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI)
San Francisco, fiel a la Escritura, nos propone reconocer la naturaleza como un espléndido libro en el cual Dios nos habla y nos refleja algo de su hermosura y de su bondad: «A través de la grandeza y de la belleza de las criaturas, se conoce por analogía al autor» (Sb 13,5), y «su eterna potencia y divinidad se hacen visibles para la inteligencia a través de sus obras desde la creación del mundo» (Rm 1,20). Laudato Si # 12
Photo courtesy of Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI
Laudato Si’ in Practice – Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, on Vatican Radio May 18th, 2016
Nearly a year after the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Devin Watkins of Vatican Radio spoke to Fr. Séamus Finn about how the Holy Father’s challenges to the global economy have been put into practice.
As Chair of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and Chief of Faith Consistent Investment at the Missionary Oblates, Fr. Seamus assists corporations and religious institutions in investing and operating in a faith-conscious manner. He said there are several projects, which aim at putting Pope Francis’ teachings into practice.
Listen to the interview and read the article here.
Earth Day 2016: Emphasis on Trees and Forests Worldwide April 20th, 2016
Earth Day 2016: Emphasis on Trees and Forests Worldwide
The first Earth Day was observed 46 years ago on April 22, 1970. It is the largest civic observance in the world, with millions of school children, teachers, and ordinary citizens participating in educational, civic and outdoor activities. The highlight of this year’s observance is the official signing ceremony for the Paris Climate Agreement. In December 2015 192 countries of the world adopted the agreement in Paris, France. In a symbolic gesture, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has invited every nation to officially sign the agreement this Earth Day, April 22nd, 2016, at the UN headquarters in New York.
This Earth Day our partner organizations, Catholic Rural Life and the Catholic Climate Covenant are calling for a greater appreciation for trees and their ability to keep the air we breathe clean. Catholic Climate Covenant is offering a free program guide for planning a one-hour Earth Day celebration in your parish or school. Download the program guide.
Visit the Catholic Rural Life website for more information on their work in supporting Integrity of Creation.
Earth Day Prayer – For Our Earth (Laudato Si, Pope Francis)
All-powerful God,
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness
all that exists. Pour out upon us
the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace,
that we may live as brothers and sisters,
harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue
the abandoned and forgotten
of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world
and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
at the expense of the poor and the earth. Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature as we journey
towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
Earth Day Video: Faith, Relationships and Creation – This video reflection produced by Oblates JPIC office (3:01 minutes) with meditative text invites you to reflect with Pope Francis on our relations with one another and Creation.
Earth Day Action:
- Add your name to the Interfaith Climate Change statement.
- Support moral principles and priorities in climate change discussions, legislations and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable in society.
Resources
Catholic Climate Covenant
http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Catholic Rural Life
https://catholicrurallife.org/
International Mother Earth Day 22 April
http://www.un.org/en/events/motherearthday/
Earth Day Network
http://www.earthday.org/
