We are all in this together!

CARING FOR EACH OTHER AND OUR COMMON HOME GO HAND IN HAND

Two major world meetings this fall raised consciousness of emerging needs in our global society -- the urgency of addressing the effects of climate change and the call to renew bonds of compassion, understanding and dignity among peoples. Pope Francis met in Rome in early October with bishops, religious, and lay people to open the first phase of the synod on synodality. Participants were encouraged to engage in active listening with groups like the poor and the young who often feel neglected by the larger community. In early November, world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss the emerging environmental challenges wreaking havoc across the globe. Leaders pledged big policy shifts, and then settled down to the hard work of making those changes into realities.

Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si, offers a foundation for understanding these two gatherings. Since its publication in 2015, the message of Laudato Si has resonated in particular with youth and young adults, many of whom see environmental concerns and the divisions in society as major issues in today’s world. Pope Francis has also connected concern for the environment with concern for each other, particularly the poor.

In the preface to a recently published e-book, “Laudato Si Reader: An Alliance of Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis wrote, “It is time to develop a new form of universal solidarity that is grounded in fraternity, love, and mutual understanding: one that values people over profit, one that seeks new ways to understand development and progress.”

The pope continued, “The recent past has shown us that it is primarily our children who understand the scale and enormity of the challenges society faces, especially the climate crisis. We must listen to them with open hearts. We must follow their lead for they are wise beyond their years.”

To a gathering of young climate activists in late September, Pope Francis extended encouraging words aimed at emboldening their efforts to lead the way.

“I would like to thank you for your dreams and good projects, and for the fact that you are as concerned about human relations as you are about caring for the environment,” he said. “This vision is capable of challenging the adult world, for it reveals that you are prepared not only for action, but also for patient listening, constructive dialogue and mutual understanding.”

So, how can we encourage youth and young adults with whom we minister to actively engage with the issues of care for the environment and care for each other?

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The effects of environmental change have made quite an impact on our area recently. Just a few months ago, Hurricane Ida unleashed its wrath throughout the Eastern part of the United States. Relentless flooding and a series of tornadoes devastated entire regions beginning with New Orleans and continuing throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. This catastrophic weather event left many families without many basic necessities. Some homes were completely destroyed, while other families were forced to evacuate due to extreme flooding, left without the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Some families in these regions were spared from such harsh conditions, yet were left without power or access to clean water for a time. No matter how great the impact, the wrath of Hurricane Ida could most definitely be felt by all people throughout the affected regions.

The effects of Hurricane Ida have certainly hit home to youth and young adults in those regions as well. Loss of basic necessities due to this extreme weather has certainly made young people more aware of how the environment can impact those who are less fortunate and has made them more aware of what it means to be in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.

In Laudato Si, Pope Francis states, “A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings.”

Our life experiences truly shape us, and the experience of the wrath of Hurricane Ida has certainly helped all people affected to be more aware of the choices that we make and how those choices affect the poor and vulnerable within our society. Knowing what it is like to be without some of the most basic needs or natural resources, either firsthand or from friends and family, helps one to become much more aware of those who go without having their own basic needs met on a daily basis. These experiences help us to see that we are all connected, and our choices really do have an impact on others.

Pope Francis sums this up by commenting on St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun, as he says, ”It is no coincidence that, in the canticle in which Saint Francis praises God for his creatures, he goes on to say: “Praised be you my Lord, through those who give pardon for your love”. Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.”

In order to love others, we must love and protect all of creation. Then and only then, can we work to bring about justice and peace within our society. Young people must allow their own experiences of the effects of environmental changes and even natural disasters to move them to consider their own actions in caring for our common home in a way that helps all people to not only enjoy the gift of God’s creation, but to live to their fullest potential as children of God.

WAYS TO LIVE OUR VOCATION TO BE PROTECTORS OF GOD'S HANDIWORK

Care for Environment

· Reusable water bottles

· Avoid use of plastic and paper

· Reduce water consumption

· Separate refuse

· Cook only what can be reasonably eaten

· Plant trees or a garden

· Turn off unnecessary lights

· Carpool

· Dispose of trash in appropriate places

· Donate used items to a thrift shop

Service in Local Communities

· Volunteer at local after school program tutoring young children.

· Visit a nursing home.

· Make cards for parish shut-ins.

· Plant and care for a community garden, donating the harvest to local food banks.

· Plan a “clean up” day at your parish or in your neighborhood.

· Do errands for an elderly neighbor.

· Send a note of gratitude to those who give service in your community (e.g., police, firefighters, public recreation workers)

· Donate food to local food bank.

Prayer

· Thank God for the beauty of creation.

· Slow down and take time to be aware of the presence of God in your life. Count your blessings.

· Examine your conscience. How are your actions and personal decisions affecting the world around you? How are you practicing simplicity of life?

· Pray for our political and business leaders that they are people of integrity and make good decisions for those they serve and for the environment.

· Pray for peace and justice.

· Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you and others to be more mindful of the needs of others.

· Receive the Sacraments often.

· Attend Mass and receive Holy Eucharist, “the source of light and motivation for our concerns for the environment, directing us to be stewards of all creation” (Laudato Si, #236).

Awareness

· Be grateful. Have an attitude of gratitude. Appreciate the people in your life.

· Less is more! Evaluate if you really need or want a certain thing before buying it.

· Practice moderation. Keep things simple!

· Pay attention to how much time you spend on social media. Can you use some of that time reaching out to someone you know who is lonely?

· Take a walk and observe God’s beauty in creation all around you. Use all your senses. What do you see? hear? smell? feel?

· Read articles, watch videos, or listen to podcasts regarding environmental issues and their effects on society, especially the most vulnerable.

· Investigate another culture (e.g., indigenous people) and discover how they reverence God’s creation.

· Eat leftovers.

· Smile more and spread joy!

· Learn about Greta Thunberg. What can you learn from her?

· Read the book or watch the movie, The Lorax. Discuss what you can do as a family, class, or individual to help the environment.

Activism

· Investigate environmental, economic, and political platforms of local politicians. Write and urge them to consider signing bills that protect the rights and dignity of those in the community, especially the underprivileged and underserved.

· Boycott products of companies that have destructive environmental footprints.

· Investigate new building projects in your community to see if there are plans that allow for green space.

· Organize a “Walk for Christ for Justice for the Poor” event in which you raise awareness and money for those in need of food, clothing, and shelter. Donate all monies to local homeless shelters or food pantries.

· Investigate kinds of energy used in government buildings. Challenge local leaders to switch to renewable energy sources.

Resources

Top 10 Things You Need to Know about Pope Francis' Laudato Si' - YouTube Why Care for the Environment? (Laudato Si Explained) - YouTube Laudato Si': Animated clip for young people - YouTube The Canticle of Creation - YouTube Greta Thunberg: TIME's Person of the Year 2019 | Time Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home (usccb.org) What Does It Mean to Be Content? A Reflection on Appreciating What I Have - Busted Halo Digital Retreat for Deepening Our Relationship With God and Nature - Busted Halo Ayres, Jennifer R. (2019), Inhabitance: Ecological Religious Education. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press. Dr. Seuss (1971), The Lorax. New York: Random House Books. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax PG movie (2012) 1 hour 26 minutes

Prayer from Laudato Si

“A Prayer for Our Earth” 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. 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.