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• How to Green your Parish

  This article is about the importance of parishes to participate in environmentally sustainable actions based on Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’. It encourages parishes to strive to become more eco-friendly by taking work together as a community and focusing on change one issue at a time. The article focuses on three main areas: reducing the parishes greenhouse gas, sustaining food and land use, and preserving water.
• Five Years After Speaking Out on Climate Change, Pope Francis Sounds an Urgent Alarm

  This article covers Pope Francis's reaction to the world governments responses to climate change. The Pope writes to unite people through religion in an effort to bring awareness to the movement. The article details how the church is divesting in fossil fuel companies. The article also focuses on the political divide and how it affects people's views on the climate crisis.
• A Summary of the Encyclical by Pope Francis

  A summary of Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, by Pope Francis. This summary includes a short introduction and explanation of the encyclical letter, and how to turn the letter into a teachable moment for children. The summary then breaks down the encyclical by briefly defining key topics (Saint Francis of Assisi and an integral ecology; Pollution, waste, and throwaway culture; Climate as a common good; Right of water; Loss of biodiversity; Global inequality; The Gospel of Creation; Integral ecology; Consumerism; Toward a new lifestyle; and Prayers) with direct quotes from the encyclical itself.
• Laudato Si’ -- On Care For Our Common Home

  Laudato Si appears to be increasing interactions between environmental professionals and faith communities, and as such, is a very important document for all people to understand–not just Catholics! Roman Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in the world (1.2 billion). An encyclical is one of the most authoritative declarations that a Pope can put forth. Laudato Si is both a reflection of the larger moral and religious landscape of environmental values, and perhaps simply the most prominent such statement of values yet crafted. It is symbolic of this moment in time when religious and ethical voices are gaining currency in environmental thinking, regardless of any particular doctrine.
• Archdiocese of Cincinnati hosts Energy Summits today and tomorrow in Dayton and Cincinnati

  In response to Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, The Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati, recently encouraged Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese to participate in one of two energy summits to promote “faithful sustainability” and best energy practices in church facilities and homes. From the event description on the website, “ The Archdiocesan office of Property Management and Real Estate, and office of Social Action invite pastors, business managers and facilities managers to join representatives from CCE, Duke Energy, EPA’s Energy Star and WaterSense and US Green Building Council in a half-day event where they can participate in no-cost efficiency programs. For many, they will be able to take action towards reducing energy use and lowering energy costs this same day“.
• Homily Help

  Homily Helps is a resource from Catholic Climate Covenant that offers resources that help to integrate the insights of Laudato Si’ and caring for creation into Sunday mass. It includes highlights from the Scripture, relevant quotations from Laudato Si’, sample applications, and more.
• Today is registration deadline for Columbus Diocese Creation Care Conference on Oct. 8

  The Columbus Diocese is offering a day of reflection, inspiration, study, and sharing of resources to help Columbus area Catholic communities respond to Pope Francis’ environmental urgings in his recent encyclical, Laudato Si: Caring for Our Common Home. The conference: “Enlivened by Laudato Si’: We Care for our Common Home: Our practical response to care for God’s creation” will be held at the Martin De Porres Center in Columbus from 10am-2pm on Saturday, October 8. The conference will feature creation care team building sessions, spirituality and worship, education, sustainability information for energy savings, and advocacy to care for creation and the poor. Dr. Greg Hitzhusen of the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State will deliver a keynote address.