As a Laudato Si’ congregation, we encourage others to take to heart the message of Laudato Si’. Recently, several ACCC members attended a Laudato Si’ Movement webinar that proposed one simple mustard-seed action: at the end of mass, as you greet the priest and other parish staff, mention Laudato Si’ and ask if the parish is engaged in creation care. Then send them a follow-up email like the one below, with a list of resources. Help spread the word!
Sample email message to parish priest and staff:
Dear …
I am writing to share with you my deep concern about the state of our common home and to share with you one source of hope - Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. Pope Francis calls us to hear the cry of the earth, the cry of the poor, as well as the cry of our youth and future generations.
I recently viewed “The Letter: A Message for Our Earth”. It is a powerful movie that focuses on the work and wisdom of Laudato Si’; it is available for free at https://www.theletterfilm.org/ . I am sure that I am not the only one who has concerns about the future of our young people and of our planet. Please consider sharing the Pope’s message with your parishioners and encouraging them to watch “The Letter” either on their own or in a group. The above website includes an event agenda among the movie resources if you choose to host a screening at the church.
The Season of Creation, September 1 – October 4, 2023 could be an opportune time to share this movie and use the discussion questions with your parish. Detailed information about the Season of Creation and implementation helps can be found at https://seasonofcreation.org/
Several organizations have other valuable resources:
Laudato Si’ Movement: https://laudatosimovement.org/
Catholic Climate Covenant: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org
Ignatian Solidarity Network: https://ignatiansolidarity.net
We live in troubling times. May God bless you as you help God’s people to respond to them with Christian love. May God bless you in your parish ministry. Thank you for all that you do.
In gratitude,
[your name]
