Care for the Earth
PRAYER:
Pope Francis’s Prayer for the Earth
All-powerful God, you are present
in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace,
that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look
only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray,
in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
Amen.
From Laudato Si': On Care of Our Common Home 2015
RESOURCES:
The Story of Stuff Project encourages us to think about the environmental and social issues involved in the production, use, and disposal of the “stuff” in our lives. Watch this video to learn more and be challenged to change the way you see this stuff.
The UN Environment Programme offers an excellent resource on plastic pollution. “Our Planet is Choking on Plastic” provides the history of plastic production, assesses the impact of plastic pollution, and calls us to change our personal practices to lessen our use of plastics.
For more information about organizations dedicated to Care of Creation, click here.
The Sisters of Mercy have created these useful guides to be more mindful of how we consume resources:
ACTION:
TAKE ACTION: Support the Fossil Free Finance Act
The latest Banking on Climate Chaos report showed that banks poured $673 billion into fossil fuel companies last year. The Fossil Free Finance Act would require big banks to stop financing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and reduce their financed emissions by 50% by 2030. Stop the Money Pipeline invites us to tell our Congressional representatives to co-sponsor the Fossil Free Finance Act. TAKE ACTION
TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Support Climate Resilient Food and Farms
11 percent of US global warming emissions stem from agriculture. Industrial livestock production pollutes our air and water. The practice of growing the same crop year after year on the same land leaves communities vulnerable to climate impacts. The Agriculture Resilience Act could usher in a transformation, investing in science and incentives to help farmers trap carbon in the soil and produce nutritious, climate-friendly foods. The Union of Concerned Scientists urges us to tell Congress to cosponsor this important legislation. TAKE ACTION
TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Support a Just Farm Bill in 2023
A strong and resilient farm and food system benefits our local and global communities including family farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Representing nearly $1 trillion in spending, the Farm Bill covers program areas including Nutrition, Commodities, Conservation, Trade and more. Nutrition programs comprise 76% of the Farm Bill’s total spending. The Midwest Franciscan Justice Promoters invite us to tell Congress to support a farm bill that supports the dignity of all people, especially those in poverty, and offers safeguards for preserving creation. TAKE ACTION