News Archives » Laudato Si
Leading Oil and Gas Executives Attend Climate Change Conference Hosted by Vatican June 12th, 2018
On Friday, June 8, leading oil and gas executives attended a climate change conference hosted by the Vatican titled, “Energy Transition and Care for Our Common Home” and held at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
The conference is follow-up to Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home, which was released three years ago on June 18.
Visit this website to read Pope Francis’ address to meeting participants
Visit these links to read more about the conference:
CAFOD
https://cafod.org.uk/News/Campaigning-news/Pope-fossil-fuels-energy-call
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/09/pope-francis-tells-oil-bosses-world-must-wean-itself-off-fossil-fuels
Yale Scholar Delivers Keynote at Day of Reflection on “Laudato SI” in Belleville Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows May 2nd, 2018
(Originally published on www.omiusa.org)
Thanks to Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of the La Vista Ecological Learning Ctr.
On Saturday, April 21, Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker gave the keynote address at a conference held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois entitled Our Sacred Earth, Our Common Home. Dr. Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University where she has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. This event is the second in a series devoted to the study and implementation of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’.

Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker of Yale University addresses the crowd at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
According to Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of the La Vista Ecological Learning Center which co-sponsored the event, “The participants were inspired by Dr. Tucker’s enthusiasm as she shared her appreciation of papal encyclical Laudato Si’. She helped us to wake up to its importance in the Catholic tradition of social encyclicals as well as its worldwide influence and impact beyond Catholicism. Being a leader in the emerging field of Religion and Ecology, she was able to unite the two as she led us through the content of the document.”
Throughout her presentation, Dr. Tucker praised Pope Francis for his leadership and call to action: “The spirituality of Francis in the encyclical is clear: It begins with Mother Earth, the Canticle to Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Bonaventure, you all know the mind’s path to God goes through the natural world…and so much of this is awe-evoking action…we’re looking for renewable energy, the renewal energy we’re looking for is the energy of the spirit. To renew the face of the earth. And that’s where religious communities, spiritual sensibilities and moral force will make a difference.”
After the keynote, the attendees split up for break out sessions, one by Sr. Cheryl Kemner, OSF and Nicole Heerlein of Franciscans for Earth: “The Challenge of Technology and Simple Lifestyle,” another featuring Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of La Vista Ecological Learning Center: “Backyard Revolution,” “Care for the Earth; Care for the Poor” by Sr. Connie Probst, OSF – Co-Director, St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, and “What Can My Parish and Family Do?” by Jamie Hasemeier of Holy Redeemer Parish. In addition, Dr. Tucker held a break out session for religious sisters.
The event, which attracted about 100 people ran from 9 AM to Noon at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The day was co-sponsored by: the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows; La Vista Ecological Learning Center; the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Upcoming Event: “Our Sacred Earth, Our Common Home” April 11th, 2018
Reflection & Action on Laudato Si ‘
Saturday, April 21
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Visitors Center
Keynote Speaker: Mary Evelyn Tucker, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Yale Divinity School
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for students
To register call 618-394-6270 or go online: www.snows.org/events-2/our-sacred-earth-our-common-home
This event is the second in a series devoted to the study and implementation of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’. Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker, who collaborated for many years with eco-theologian and Earth scholar Fr. Thomas Berry, will deliver the keynote address. The participants will then take part in a series of “hands-on” break-out sessions. The morning will conclude with a feedback and takeaway session. This event is intended for individuals and parish groups looking for practical ways to care for our common home, our sacred Earth.
“Our Sacred Earth, Our Common Home: Reflection and Action on Laudato Si” is sponsored by the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, La Vista Ecological Learning Center, the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Upcoming Event: Dialogue on Ethical Dimensions of Extractive industries January 31st, 2018
The Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office of OMI Lacombe in partnership with Saint
Paul University are pleased to invite you to a morning dialogue.
Attend the event or watch it online. Registration information below.
Where: St. Paul University, 223 Main Street, Ottawa, CANADA – Laframboise Hall
When: February 13, 2018 – 9:30am to 12:00pm EDT
Entitled Ethical dimensions of Extractive industries in Catholic Social Teaching, the event is an opportunity for open discussion about Laudato Si’s calls for change in the mining practices of modern industries. While denouncing the violations on human rights, environment and the non-sustainable and irresponsible approach of current extractive sectors, this is also an opportunity to together find alternatives for change and better practices.
Guest speakers are:
Mr. Jim Cooney, Lecturer at the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada; who will be talking about Mining and sustainable development from a Laudato Si’ perspective
Rev. Seamus Finn, OMI, Chief for the OIP Investment Trust and consultant to the US Province JPIC office, who will be addressing the Catholic Ethical dimensions of Extractive industries.
You are invited to join this important event which aims to feed the thinking of those who want to be part of a grand coalition for social change.
To attend the meeting at Saint Paul, please register here.
For online streaming, no registration is needed. You can join live on February 13, 2018 – 9:30am to 12:00pm EDT by clicking here.
For more information about the event or to register, please feel free to contact:
Fernanda de Castro – JPIC Office
jpic@ustpaul.ca
613-236-1393 ext.2661, or
Leonardo Rego OMI
613-236-1393 ext.2660
The Cry of the Earth is the Cry of the Poor: the New Faces of Poverty August 4th, 2017
*Event will be streamed live on St. Paul University’s website. Stay tuned for more information.
The Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) offices of OMI USA and OMI Lacombe Canada are pleased to invite you to attend a Symposium entitled “The Cry of the Earth is the Cry of the Poor, the New Faces of Poverty.”
This event will be held on Wednesday, August 30th, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m:
St Paul University
223 Main St.
Laframboise building Rm 120
Ottawa, CANADA
It will be an opportunity to engage in the work of the Church and the Oblate order to tackle poverty and fight for social justice and environmental protection.
The day will include panel discussions entitled:
- Oblates are called today to embrace the new faces of the poor
- “Evangelii Gaudium” and “Laudato Si” as a true ecological and social approach to the new faces of poverty
- Responses to the demands of the new faces of the poor from the spirituality of “Laudato Si”
The presentations will highlight the relationships between poverty, ecology and climate change, the quality of the social condition and the responsibility and role of the church and other religious groups in promoting social justice.
There will be formal opportunities for questions and discussion.It would be an honor for us, if you could join us for this important event.
Note: There is no cost to attend this event; however donations will be accepted. Parking is limited and available at $10 for the day and lunch will be provided.
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE HERE