CURRENT CONCERN Saint Francis, faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. ‘Through the greatness and the beauty of creatures one comes to know by analogy their maker’ (Wis 13:5); indeed, ‘his eternal power and divinity have been made known through his works since the creation of the world’ (Rom 1:20). For this reason, Francis asked that part of the friary garden always be left untouched, so that wild flowers and herbs could grow there, and those who saw them could raise their minds to God, the Creator of such beauty. Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.” (Laudato Si’ 12) Reflection: Do I see God’s infinite beauty and goodness in creation? Find additional reflections here. Investing in Clean Energy / Divesting from Non-Renewables The international conference “Laudato Si' & Catholic Investing: Clean Energy for Our Common Home”, which took place in late January at Pontifical Lateran University, featured many expert speakers and Catholic case studies who demonstrated that fossil fuel divestment and clean energy investment are both possible and necessary. Catholic institutions are called to use their financial investments to “put an end to the fossil fuel era and provide renewable energy access for all,” as the Catholic Bishops of all continents have called. Learn more about this important method of creating dynamic shift in demand for cleaner energy and how both individuals and Catholic institutions can take concrete steps to care for our common home through their investments. Watch the Video Here | INFORMATIONWe Are Still In Archdiocesan Creation Care Collaboration On November 21,2016 representatives from parishes, the Archdiocese, Marquette University, Marquette HS/Laudato Si' Project, City of Milwaukee, and Catholics for Peace and Justice/Waukesha County Green Team met to begin discussing how we can bring the content of Laudato Si’ more fully alive and prominent in our parishes and our community. Lots of good information was shared and connections made. The next meeting is Jan 13 at 12 noon. Contact Rob Shelledy at the Archdiocese to get on the information/invitation list. If you are interested in building a Creation Care ministry in your parish, connect with this group. Environmental Racism Now on the Front Burner – Milwaukee County Statistics Read Here What is COP21? More than two decades ago, members of the United Nations met in Rio de Janeiro for the “Earth Summit.” At this extraordinary gathering, attendees agreed on some basics about climate change and how to tackle its human causes. This agreement is called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or “UNFCCC.” In it, 196 nations agreed to meet every year to fashion a treaty on how to keep the planet from warming to dangerous levels, and how in the meantime to help affected people. These nations are “parties” to the UNFCCC agreement. Together we call this gathering of 196 nations the Conference of Parties, or COP for short. The COP has been meeting every year since 1994. This November 30, they will convene for the 21st time. And that’s where we get the term COP21 Why is COP21 Important? | PARISH RESOURCESJoin the Force for Creation - Become a Laudato Si’ “Animator”. Animators promote the Laudato Si message to help turn it into action in their local communities, whether that be a parish, school, religious congregation, lay group, youth organization, retreat center, Boy Scout troop, or more. Learn More Here |
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