Environmental Justice Parish Resource Packets

  • Sunday April 22, the 3rd Sunday of Easter, is also observed in many parishes and communities as Earth Day.

    What is Catholic about Earth Day? As Bishop William Skylstad remarked,  “Our own Earth Day goes back centuries, not 40 years. Care for Creation starts with Genesis… and continues with Pope Benedict.”

  • Catholics Celebrating CreationDuring Lent, we worship God with and through the gifts of God's creation, in sign and sacrament, in many special and vivid ways. This is a special opportunity to give thanks and to reflect on our need for repentance and renewal of our care for creation. The Environmental Justice Team has prepared resources for you!

  • line drawing of baby cradled in handsOn the first weekend of October, Respect Life Sunday usually coincides with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This moment invites us to a deeper understanding of the connections between protecting life and caring for our environment, God’s creation.

  • Catholics Celebrating CreationSince 1970, the celebration of Earth Day each April has maintained its original focus on peace, justice and care of the Earth. These themes are clearly part of our Catholic mission.

    As Pope Benedict XVI said in his January 2010 message, If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation:

  • St. FrancisThe Catholic Climate Covenant seeks to show respect for God’s creation by focusing on the link between creation and poverty embodied in the life and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi and the words of the Psalmist: “The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds” (Ps 24:1).

    All across our country, Catholics are taking the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor and  joining the Catholic Climate Covenant.