Care for Our Common Home

 

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 

Laudato Si' 12

In Laudato Si', Pope Francis gave voice to the concept of integral ecology which emphasizes the deep connection between our relationships with each other and the Lord Jesus as members of His One Body, as well as all creation.  We are called to rediscover in awe and wonder the beauty of creation and at the same time, respond to the cry of the earth. 

In the Diocese of Sacramento, we see God's gifts through the environmental richness and diversity in every corner of our diocese.  However, we face tremendous challenges due to fires, floods, drought and climate change.   The Diocese of Sacramento commits to responding to Pope Francis's urgent call through several activities that encourages each of us to Reflect, Act and Evaluate.

 

Reflect

Laudato Si' tells us that "an integral ecology includes taking time to recover a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us, whose presence 'must not be contrived but found, uncovered'." (LS 225).  

In 2022, we start a profound period of reflection that supports deepening the ecological conversion to which St. John Paul II and Pope Francis call us to.  Reflection includes a consideration of how our Diocese and each Parish's unique values and identity relate to the Laudato Si' goals. 

Parish Pastoral Council Reflection Guides:  We invite all Parish Pastoral Councils to use these Reflection Guides:

 

Act

The Diocese will encourage individuals, families, and Parishes to take concrete actions towards the Laudato Si’ goals.

We are committed to:

Evaluate

As we develop greater “care for our brothers and sisters and for the natural environment”, we begin to see “the moral imperative of assessing the impact of our every action and personal decision on the world around us.” (LS 208). Evaluation includes an annual self-assessment of progress and create a Laudato Si’ plan for the coming year and celebrating any progress made.

During the Season of Creation, we invite Care for Creation teams and ministries as well as all parishioners to convene and celebrate, give thanks, and prepare for another Season of Creation.

 

2024 Laudato Si' Week, May 19-26

This Laudato Si’ Week and Pentecost, let us gather in community to contemplate and nurture seeds of hope for our “suffering planet” (LD 2). Laudate Deum is a reminder about the urgency of the Laudato Si’ message and the need for both personal and cultural transformation amidst our ecological and climate crises.

This year’s Laudato Si’ Week theme is inspired by the symbol for Season of Creation 2024, “firstfruits.” Let us be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love.

The Laudato Si' Movement, sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has created the following Celebration Guide:

 

Resources

Video Resources