Resources
Parish-level Start-up Guides
Catholic Climate Covenant: Look here for information on starting a ministry: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/creation-care-teams/
Tools for building a strong team (Contact Paz Artaza-Regan at [email protected] to discuss access to resources):
Look for resources here: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/creation-care-teams/creation-care-resource-library/
Interfaith Power & Light: http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/PopeFrancisActionKitFINALJulysm.pdf
Archdiocese of Atlanta: https://archatl.com/catholic-life/refreshatl and download the Laudato Si’ Action Plan for the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Archdiocese of Chicago: pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/care-for-creation-ministry/parish-creation-care-committee
Examples of Laudato Si’ Study Guides:
Fr. Dan Horan Laudato Si’ 14 video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzyYPJLhZjc
From America Magazine: https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/laudato-si-map
From the USCCB: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/upload/laudato-si-discussion-guide.pdf
Webinars to Share at Your Meetings
The following five webinars were developed by Care for Creation Ministries at parishes in Arlington Diocese.
Each webinar has an opening prayer, a presentation and Q/A. Consider sharing the presentation portion (30 min) at one of your meetings.
Webinar #1 Why Catholics Care for Creation
Webinar #2 Using Citizen Science Tools as a Family-Friendly Way to Explore God's Gift of Creation
Webinar #3 Landscaping with Care
Webinar #4 Embracing Energy Efficiency
Webinar #5 Living in Harmony with Creation: A Parish Case Study
Diocesan Media Articles on Care for Creation
Local Parish Care for Creation Groups in the Diocese of Arlington:
Care for Creation Network of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington:
Website: https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/peace-and-justice-commission/creation/
Email: [email protected]
Diocesan Staff: Carla Walsh ([email protected])
Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington: http://www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org/integrity-of-creation.html
St. Francis of Assisi in Triangle: www.stfrncis.org/careforcreation/soc/
St. John Neumann in Reston: http://cfoch.weebly.com; [email protected]
Nativity Catholic Church in Burke: https://nativityburke.org/service/creation-care/
Regional Interfaith Groups based on Caring for Creation
Interfaith Power and Light is an interfaith group that provides resources and inspiration for Care for Creation Teams.
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions is an interfaith group that concentrates on advocacy at the local level. They “unite people of faith in Northern Virginia to develop local solutions to the climate crisis. Our robust interfaith network is at the forefront of local action on climate change.”
National and International Catholic Groups
Catholic Climate Covenant (US) https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Laudato Si' Movement (Global) https://laudatosimovement.org/
Mission Statement Examples from Local Parishes
St. John Neumann Parish in Reston
Inspired by the call to action in Laudato ‘Si, which draws on the rich heritage of Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospels, and fueled by gratitude and awe for our common home, our ministry will endeavor to:
St. Mark in Vienna
The Care for Our Common Home ministry works to promote the teachings of Pope Francis in his encyclical “Laudato Si Care for Our Common Home” through:
Nativity Parish in Burke
The Creation Care Ministry realizes and affirms that care for the earth, our common home, is an obligation of our Catholic faith. We are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for all human beings now and for generations to come.
Our mission is twofold: To create a deeper awareness of environmental stewardship in the parish and its extended family; To encourage good stewardship practices at home, at work, in our parish and in the community.
We meet monthly and welcome anyone interested in working to incorporate Creation Care into their own lives and to help the parish and community grow in this responsibility. Your special interests are welcome and can make a difference in this ministry’s broad range of current and potential projects.
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Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington
To share our faith-based knowledge and awareness with the OLQP congregation of the importance of living a life that intentionally respects all of God’s creation, and advocate for legislation addressing issues directly related to climate change.
Education – Action - Advocacy
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Catholic Climate Covenant: Look here for information on starting a ministry: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/creation-care-teams/
Tools for building a strong team (Contact Paz Artaza-Regan at [email protected] to discuss access to resources):
Look for resources here: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/creation-care-teams/creation-care-resource-library/
Interfaith Power & Light: http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/PopeFrancisActionKitFINALJulysm.pdf
Archdiocese of Atlanta: https://archatl.com/catholic-life/refreshatl and download the Laudato Si’ Action Plan for the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Archdiocese of Chicago: pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/care-for-creation-ministry/parish-creation-care-committee
Examples of Laudato Si’ Study Guides:
Fr. Dan Horan Laudato Si’ 14 video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzyYPJLhZjc
From America Magazine: https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/laudato-si-map
From the USCCB: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/upload/laudato-si-discussion-guide.pdf
Webinars to Share at Your Meetings
The following five webinars were developed by Care for Creation Ministries at parishes in Arlington Diocese.
Each webinar has an opening prayer, a presentation and Q/A. Consider sharing the presentation portion (30 min) at one of your meetings.
Webinar #1 Why Catholics Care for Creation
Webinar #2 Using Citizen Science Tools as a Family-Friendly Way to Explore God's Gift of Creation
Webinar #3 Landscaping with Care
Webinar #4 Embracing Energy Efficiency
Webinar #5 Living in Harmony with Creation: A Parish Case Study
Diocesan Media Articles on Care for Creation
- Here is a link to an email sent out in February 2022 introducing the diocese’s participation in the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Seven-Year Plan.
- Here is a link to the Herald article announcing that the diocese would join the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ seven-year platform.
- Here is a link to the Catholic Herald article announcing the creation of the diocesan Creation Care Network.
- Here is a link to a Catholic Herald article about the blessing of St. Mark parish’s native Mary garden.
- And here’s some general info about the Creation Care Network and our participation in the Vatican Laudato Si’ plan:
https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/parishes/first-diocesan-parish-accepts-pope-francis-laudato-si-challenge/
https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/virtues-nurtured-in-a-native-plant-nursery/
Local Parish Care for Creation Groups in the Diocese of Arlington:
Care for Creation Network of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington:
Website: https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/peace-and-justice-commission/creation/
Email: [email protected]
Diocesan Staff: Carla Walsh ([email protected])
Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington: http://www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org/integrity-of-creation.html
St. Francis of Assisi in Triangle: www.stfrncis.org/careforcreation/soc/
St. John Neumann in Reston: http://cfoch.weebly.com; [email protected]
Nativity Catholic Church in Burke: https://nativityburke.org/service/creation-care/
Regional Interfaith Groups based on Caring for Creation
Interfaith Power and Light is an interfaith group that provides resources and inspiration for Care for Creation Teams.
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions is an interfaith group that concentrates on advocacy at the local level. They “unite people of faith in Northern Virginia to develop local solutions to the climate crisis. Our robust interfaith network is at the forefront of local action on climate change.”
National and International Catholic Groups
Catholic Climate Covenant (US) https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Laudato Si' Movement (Global) https://laudatosimovement.org/
Mission Statement Examples from Local Parishes
St. John Neumann Parish in Reston
Inspired by the call to action in Laudato ‘Si, which draws on the rich heritage of Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospels, and fueled by gratitude and awe for our common home, our ministry will endeavor to:
- educate the parish on the consequences of our energy use and purchasing practices,
- model at the parish level how to use energy in a more sustainable manner, thereby inspiring parishioners to do likewise in our own homes,
- motivate from a hopeful stance, a change of heart that reflects a deepened reverence for the interconnectedness of all of God’s creation, so that we will then,
- act courageously to change our lifestyles and boldly advocate for the dignity of all of God’s people and creation.
St. Mark in Vienna
The Care for Our Common Home ministry works to promote the teachings of Pope Francis in his encyclical “Laudato Si Care for Our Common Home” through:
- prayer and reflection on the connectedness of all of God’s creation;
- education on Church statements on the environment
- action to create a sustainable environment in the ST MARK community;
- advocacy for policies that will protect the earth and our most vulnerable brothers and sisters
Nativity Parish in Burke
The Creation Care Ministry realizes and affirms that care for the earth, our common home, is an obligation of our Catholic faith. We are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for all human beings now and for generations to come.
Our mission is twofold: To create a deeper awareness of environmental stewardship in the parish and its extended family; To encourage good stewardship practices at home, at work, in our parish and in the community.
We meet monthly and welcome anyone interested in working to incorporate Creation Care into their own lives and to help the parish and community grow in this responsibility. Your special interests are welcome and can make a difference in this ministry’s broad range of current and potential projects.
---------------------------------------------
Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington
To share our faith-based knowledge and awareness with the OLQP congregation of the importance of living a life that intentionally respects all of God’s creation, and advocate for legislation addressing issues directly related to climate change.
Education – Action - Advocacy
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