care for god's creation · 2019-03-27 · care for god's creation support the paris...

Care for God's Creation Think Twice Before Shopping “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Every product we purchase has an environmental footprint, from the materials used to create it to the pollution emitted during manufacturing to the packaging that ends up in landfills. So, before you buy, ask yourself if you really need that new item. If you do, consider buying gently used instead of new, and look for minimal packaging and shipping. Learn more:

See "The Story of Stuff" under the Movies tab at storyofstuff.org Read about the Zero Waste movement at ecocycle.org

ConsiderPopeFrancis'swords:

“When people become self-centered and self-enclosed, their greed increases. The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume…..” Pope Francis, Laudato Sí

From our Cluster Social Ministry: Focus on the Environment

Care for God's Creation Why buying "stuff" is a moral act We who live in the U.S. use a far greater share of Earth’s resources than others. While Jesus was on earth, He modeled a life based on simplicity, and love of God and neighbor. He entrusted us--his followers--to carry on his work.

“The greatness of any nation is revealed in its effective care of society’s most vulnerable members – women, children, the elderly, the sick, the disabled and minorities – lest any person or social group be excluded or marginalized.” Pope Francis, Address to Gov't Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps, April 28, 2017

Thus: “Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act. Today, in a word, the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle.” Pope Francis, Laudato Sí Are we willing to —

Buy smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and homes? • Trade in our electronics less frequently? • Eat sustainably? • Waste less of our food? • Shop less? • Use fewer disposable items?

Choose one change and try to make it a new habit. From our Cluster Social Ministry: Focus on the Environment

Care for God's Creation SUPPORT THE PARIS AGREEMENT A decision on whether the U.S. will remain in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change will happen any day. You have the chance to ensure we do. Take a moment to send this letter to President Trump, Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and your U.S. House Representative. Or reach them via Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121.

"It is the poor and vulnerable who disproportionately suffer from the effects of climate change, such as hurricanes, floods, drought, famine, and water scarcity. These impacts of climate change threaten to foster even more desperation and suffering in the world that could lead to greater global instability and unrest.

"It is our moral duty, and in our national interest, to honor our pledge in the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist the poor and vulnerable among us to adapt."

Tell your elected officials that you want the U.S. to take leadership in reducing worldwide green-house gas emissions and help poor nations adapt to the impact of climate change.


Care for God's Creation

WHY CATHOLICS CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE … … because: "Everything is connected." In a 2015 article from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, this theme from Pope Francis's encyclical on Care for Our Common Home is expanded: "Our attitude toward our common home is inseparable from our attitude toward the unborn, poor, and all who are vulnerable. The crises of our age have arisen because we refuse to receive created things in humility, simple joy, and awe at the work of God."

Author, Aaron Matthew Weldon, continues with some simple suggestions from Pope Francis for developing gratitude and reverence: v Pray before and after meals to

inspire thankfulness for the food we receive.

v Cultivate a spirit of gratitude and awe at the beauty of the earth. Choose some seemingly simple object, and consider its complexity and grandeur. Choose a different piece of creation every day.


We are connected -- We share the Earth

ENERGY CONSERVATION Give Your CLOTHESDRYER a VACATION. In many countries, the norm is to air-dry freshly-washed laundry. About a third of American households do dry on a line or a rack -- No need for the energy-intensive process of creating heat in the dryer and in the house, especially in the summer. Hang-drying is one way to make a difference by reducing damage to our environment from burning fossil fuels just to dry the wash. This is smart for the care of the Earth, responds to our call to be stewards of our shared home, and contributes to the health of our families:

• Clothes will smell great when hung outdoors to dry • Your favorite items will be safe from dryer wear-and-tear and shrinkage • Your energy bill will shrink -- Air-drying is free; no softener or dryer sheets to buy; you can

use a cold-water wash and still get clean clothes – the sun deodorizes and is antibacterial!

Air-dry tips: Clothes can be air dried no matter the season, but sometimes may seem stiff. Instead of buying toxic fabric softener, add ½ cup vinegar to the final rinse to soften clothes and break down the detergent (no odor is left) – a plus for detergent-sensitive allergies. Prevent wrinkles by snapping your clothes before hanging. Place shirts and pants on hangers instead of using clothespins. No space outside? Expecting rain? Dry indoors using a folding rack. The climate crisis is a serious concern. It's time for us to get serious about reducing "luxury" energy use. From our Cluster Social Ministry: Focus on the Environment

Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the Earth St. Paul's words remind us: "Faith without works is dead." Let us embrace behaviors that reflect our concern about creation. Here are two concrete steps to take in solidarity with our mother Earth, and the poor and vulnerable across the globe who suffer most from climate change:

1. Adjust the thermostat. Turn down the air conditioning to reduce your home’s energy consumption. This is probably one of your most carbon intensive activities, but a change of just 5 degrees is a great start!

Even better: Install a programmable thermostat. 2. Use your window coverings. This summer, close your curtains during the day to block heat from the sun. In winter, open your curtains to allow the sun to warm the house. Such simple steps can significantly reduce the need for AC and heating, and your personal consumption of energy. The U.N. designates June 20 as World Refugee Day. Honor your immigrant ancestors by taking action to benefit future generations.


Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the Earth FROMSAINTFRANCISTOPOPEFRANCIS.Twoyearsago,PopeFrancisaddressedamessageto"everypersonlivingonthisplanet,"speakingofthedegradationofourenvironmentasasymptomofdeeperproblems:Extremeconsumerism,over-consumption,andindifferencetothepoor.Onthis2ndanniversaryofLaudatoSí:OnCareforOurCommonHome,wecommemoratethePope'scallfora"boldculturalrevolution"bycommittingtothecreationcarevaluesofSt.FrancisofAssisi–Ipledgeto:PRAYandreflectonthedutytocareforGod’sCreation

andprotectthepoorandvulnerable.LEARNaboutandeducateothersonthecausesand

moraldimensionsofclimatechange.ASSESShowwecontributetoclimatechangebyour

ownenergyuse,consumption,waste,etc.ACTtochangeourchoicesandbehaviorstoreducethe

wayswecontributetoclimatechange.ADVOCATEforCatholicprinciplesandprioritiesin

climatechangediscussionsanddecisions,especiallyastheyimpactthosewhoarepoorandvulnerable.

Thisisourchallenge,thisisourpromise,andsoweprayallthisinthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.Amen.

Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the Earth

HOWEASYTOCLOSEOUREYEStoshrinkingpolaricepacksandrisingoceanlevels,pollutingcoal

plants,waterscarcity,andothercausesandeffectsofglobalclimatechange.But,withhisencyclicalontheenvironment,PopeFrancisforcedeyesopen,callingCatholicstoaction.Andso,thisyear,16concernedmenandwomencametogethertoformtheSaintAnne†OurLadyofLourdesEnvironmentalMinistry.Wepray&read,debate&march,planprojects,andinspireeachothertoactfortheCommonGood.

Partofourgroup:JackLynch,CarolDeFilippo,JimHilbert,JohnMcDermott,PatKlees,MargaretBecket,PaulaMir,NorahBayer,LindaPerlet,RoseYeager


SaintAnne†OurLadyofLourdesEnvironmentalMinistry

OurnewEnvironmentalMinistrygrouphasbeenstudyingandreflectingonPopeFrancis'sstatementsonCreationCare,theCommonGood,andourobligationstoact.Inresponse,thegroupsummarizedtheirpurposeinthefollowingmissionstatement:

TheChurchrecognizesthattheweboflifeandthepromotionofhumandignityrequirestheprotectionandcareofGod’screation.Asstewards,westrivetoinspireourCatholicfaithcommunitytopray,act,andadvocateforourearthandforfuturegenerations.

Doyouknowanyonelistedbelow?Askthemtotellyouaboutenvironmentalministry.

Noralyn Bayer - Margaret Becket - Pat Bertucci Vincent Cilento - Carol De Filippo - Jim Hilbert

Pat Klees - Jack Lynch - Jeriann McEvoy - Paula Mir Linda Perlet - Jean Shafer - Mary Lisa Sisson Michael Sisson - Matt Ulterino - Rose Yeager

Weinvitealltojoinus.

Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the Earth Earlythisyear,wejoinedfaithcommunitiesaroundourregionandacrosstheglobeinrespondingtothewordsofPopeFrancis:"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world." [LaudatoSí,229.] Likeotherparishes,we,too,haveformedanenvironmentalministryhereinourCluster.WelearnedfromthePope'sencyclicalonCareforOurCommonHomethat…

Humanactivityhascontributedtosomecausesofglobalwarming[LaudatoSí,23]

Effectsofclimatechangehaveaninordinateeffectonpoorandvulnerablepopulations

Complexpolitical,economic,andsocietal/culturalfactorsareworkingagainstgoodstewardshipfortheplanetanditsinhabitants

Thismakesenvironmentalchangeasocialproblem.And"socialproblemsmustbeaddressedbycommunitynetworksandnotsimplybythesumofindividualgooddeeds."[LaudatoSí,219]ThatiswhyEnvironmentalMinistryatSaintAnne†OurLadyofLourdeswillengageusallinlearningwhatcanbedone,turningknowledgeintoaction,and

prayingforallofGod'sCreation.Whatcantwosmallparishesdo?LikeMotherTheresa,eachofushas

atleastonestonetocast!Lookforourfallmeetingdateandjoinus,please!

We are connected – We share the Earth

Water waste: Environmental degradation has affected water supplies around the globe. Pope Francis reminds us that "access to safe drinking water is a basic and universal human right." Yet many poor people live with water scarcity – evidence of the global inequality of our environmental crisis.

What if you turned on the faucet and got muddy contaminated wa-ter? What if you don't even have a faucet? We each use about 12,000 gallons of water a year! Some suggestions on how to cut back:

- Install a low-flow shower head in each bathroom and a low-flow water-aerator on sink faucets.

- Use reusable water bottles. An inexpensive filter on the kitchen tap provides 40,000 glasses of purified tap water.

-Minimize watering the lawn -- the rain will come. And you'll mow less often if you water less.

- Catch rainwater in a bucket for your house plants.

- Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when

you have a full load.

- Showers use less water than baths. Save water and

the energy to heat it by shortening your showers.

- Instead of washing your car at home, go to a car wash, which recy-cles the water.

- Don't let water run needlessly down the drain while brushing your teeth. Wet the brush, turn off the water, brush, then rinse your brush.


Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the EarthWHAT'SINYOURGARBAGE?Havewebecomepartofthe"throwawayculture"thatPopeFrancisdescribedinhisencyclicalonclimatechange?Wecanreduce

theamountofwastewecreatebychanginghowwepurchase:ü Minimizebuyingitemssuchasplastic,whichwill

remaininlandfillsforhundredsofyearsü Buyinbulk--Planyourpurchaseswithfriendsor

family;shareextraveggiesorflowersfromyourgardenwithneighborsorco-workers

ü Buylaundrysoapandshampooinlargecontainersandtransfertoreusablesmallerbottles

ü Avoidsingle-useproducts--Forcasualparties,askgueststo"Bringyourowncup/plate."Useclothnapkins

andtableclothsratherthanpaperü Usereusablecontainersforleftovers,eliminatingplasticwraporaluminumfoilü Bringreusableshoppingbagstothegrocerystoreü Ifthereareclothesinyourclosetthatyounolongeruse,donatetoashelterorclothesdrive

ü Donatebookstolibrariesorhospitals.ü FindyourpetatashelterinsteadofabreederResisttheurgetothrowaway.Thinkaboutwhatcanbereusedorrecycled.Changinghabitstakeseffort,butwillsavespaceinalandfillandbenefitourcommunity.

†FromtheClusterEnvironmentalMinistryCommittee†

Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the EarthWASTEFROMACULTUREOFABUNDANCE.Here'sastaggeringstatistic:Uptohalfofallfoodproducedislostbeforeitcanbeeaten.Thewaterthatwentintoproducingitisalsowastedatatimewhenthereis

severedroughtinkeyfoodproductionareas.Plus,foodinlandfillsproducesmethanegasandpolluteswaterthroughrunoff.Foodwasteisalsoaserioussocialproblem.About1in6Americansexperiences

foodinsecurity,lackingenoughhigh-qualitycaloriesto

maintainahealthylifestyle,leadingtoobesityand

diet-relatedillness.Withoutthisbasichumanneed,

thereisfrustrationandresentment–dissension

ratherthancommunity.

PopeFrancisasksustoreflect:Onceourgrandparentswereverycarefulnottothrowawayanyfood.Consumerismhasledustobecomeaccustomedtothedailywasteoffood.Thefoodwethrowawayisasifwehadstolenitfromthetableofthepoororhungry!Iinviteeveryonetoidentifyvehiclesforsharingandsolidaritywiththeneediest.

Apenchantforconvenienceandsavingtimecanlead

tofoodwaste.Whatcanwedoaboutthat?


Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the EarthFOODTOOGOODTOWASTE. Some experts estimate that wasted food costs a family of four $1600 a year, but ends up in landfills, producing methane gas (a greenhouse gas), instead of going to hungry mouths. In the US, food makes up 21% of municipal waste streams, generating 37 million tons per year.

Food waste at home: Every year, about 429 pounds of food that could have been eaten in each home is thrown away instead. Too much may be prepared (e.g., what's left on

kids’ plates). Some burns on the stove. The rest is not used in time, mostly vegetables & salads, and is often never even opened!

The environmental justice program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reports a growing recognition among Catholics that protecting the environment is everyone's moral duty. Catholics ask: "What does it mean to care for our common home?" It can start by planning our purchases and curbing food waste.



CARTS OVERFLOWING. An immigrant’s first impression of the American grocery store: Just how much people packed into their shopping carts…

Therewasfoodofgreatvariety,arrayedinalluringdisplaysofvastquantities,inmultiplepackagingformats.Andavailableatallhours.Notonlyabundant,perfectinsize,shape,andcolorandrelativelyinexpensive,"cheap"comparedtomuchoftheworld.

It looked like everyone was preparing for a famine!And we expect nothing less. What if our everyday decisions were guided by the desire to optimize our use of food, as we do with any scarce resource… • Teachingourkidsthatwastingfoodis"notcool."• Makingagrocerylistandstickingtoitinthestore• For1week,keepingtrackofwhatwethrowawayto

seehowthelittlebitsaddup• Servingsmallerportionsizesfordinner.• Findingrecipestouseupleftovers.

Value food as the life-sustaining resource that it is.

It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest level of subsistence. Today, the dramatic threat of ecological breakdown is teaching us the extent to which greed and selfishness - both individual and collective - are contrary to the order of creation, an order which is characterized by mutual interdependence. St John Paul II World Day of Peace 1990 † From the Cluster Environmental Ministry Committee †

Care for God's Creation We are connected – We share the Earth FAIR TRADE & THE ENVIRONMENT

WHY IS ETHICAL TRADE IMPORTANT? Because every purchase has an impact.

FROM JAKE LYELL ON THE CRS WEBSITE: "Poorworkingconditions,unfairwages,humantrafficking,productionmethodsandmaterialsthatharmtheenvironment—thesebusinesspracticesaremorecommonthanyouthink.That’swhyit’simportanttobuyethicallytradedproducts. "It’salsoimportanttoexamineourconsumptionon

adeeperlevel.Whatdoyoutrulyneedasopposedtomerelywant?Moreoftenthannot,crass

materialismnegativelyimpactseverything,fromourspirituallifetotheenvironment.Inadditiontobecomingmoreinformedaboutourpurchases,wemustaskourselveswhatwereallyneedtolivealifethathonorsGod,HispeopleandHiscreation."HaveyouevershoppedatCatholicReliefServices’FairTradestore?Theirnewwebpages,CRS"EthicalTrade",haveamuchwiderselectionnowofcrafts,food,andclothing,aswellasotherethicallymadeproducts.Jewelryoptionsarequitewide,fromevery-daytoengagementrings.

Learnmoreathttp://ethicaltrade.crs.org/ † From the Cluster Environmental Ministry Committee †


Composting at Home, Part I Compostisorganicmaterialthatcanbeaddedtosoiltohelpplantsgrow.Foodscrapsandyardwastemakeup20%-30%ofwhatisthrownaway,butwhichcanbecompostedinstead.Keepthesematerialsoutoflandfillswheretheytakeupspaceandreleasemethane,apotentgreenhousegas.Inyouryard,thecompostwill:• Enrichsoil,retainmoisture,andsuppressplantdiseases&pests

• Helpavoidchemicalfertilizers• Helpproducebeneficialbacteria&fungitobreakdownorganicmatterandcreaterichnutrient-filledhumus

CompostRecipeAllcompostingrequiresthreebasicingredients:• Brownsforcarbon(ex.,deadleavesortwigs)• Greensfornitrogen(ex.,grass,vegetables,fruits)• Watertobreakdowntheorganicmatterforcompostdevelopment

OKtocompost:Fruits,vegetables,eggshells,coffeegrounds&filters,teabags,nutshells,shreddedpaper,yard

trimmings&grass,leaves,cotton&woolrags,dryer&vacuumcleanerlint,hair,furNOTOKtocompost:Dairyproducts,eggs,diseasedorinsect-riddenplants,fats,meatscraps,fishbones,petwaste,yarddebristreatedwithchemicalsTO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK…

TakenfromEPAcompostingsite:www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home



Composting at Home, Part II BackyardCompostingHow-To.Lastweek'sarticledescribedthenecessaryingredientsforcompost.Yourcompostpileshouldhaveanequalamountof

brownstogreens,alternatinglayersoforganicmaterialsofdifferent-sizedparticles.Avoidaddinganythingthatmightkillbeneficialcomposting

organisms;orcontainsubstancesharmfultoplants;orparasitesorgermsharmfultohumans.And,noitemsthatcreateodorsorattractpests(mice,flies).Regularmixingorturningofthecompostandsomewaterhelpsmaintainthecompost.Therearenumerouswaystoprocessthecompost.Thefollowingaregeneralsteps:• Selectadry,shadyspotnearawatersource• Addbrownandgreenmaterialsasyoucollectthem--choporshredlargerpieces

• Moistendrymaterialsastheyareadded• Onceyourcompostpileisestablished,mixgrassclippingsandgreenwasteintothepile

• Buryfruitandvegetablewaste10inchesdeep• CovertopofcompostwithatarptokeepitmoistWhenthematerialatthebottomisdarkandrichincolor,yourcompostisreadytouse.Thisusuallytakesanywherefromtwomonthstotwoyears.

TakenfromEPAcompostingsite:www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home



WHY CATHOLICS CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE … … because: "Everything is connected." In a 2015 article from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, this theme from Pope Francis's encyclical on Care for Our Common Home is expanded: "Our attitude toward our common home is inseparable from our attitude toward the unborn, poor, and all who are vulnerable. The crises of our age have arisen because we refuse to receive created things in humility, simple joy, and awe at the work of God." Author, Aaron Matthew Weldon, continues with some simple suggestions from Pope Francis for developing gratitude and reverence: v Pray before and after meals to

inspire thankfulness for the food we receive.

v Cultivate a spirit of gratitude and awe at the beauty of the earth. Choose some seemingly simple object, and consider its complexity and grandeur. Choose a different piece of creation every day.


care for god's creation · 2019-03-27 · care for god's creation support the paris...

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