| | Dear Viewer, Having worked in the Catholic Church all my adult life, September always felt like the beginning of the year and, like a student with new books, I get excited for the coming adventure of learning more and doing more. I need to say, though, that a bit of the wind is out of the sails with the revelations of sex abuse by Archbishop McCarrick, with the Pennsylvania attorney general report and with the infighting at the Vatican. The moral authority of the bishops has taken another hit, and this has consequences for all of us trying to live our faith through good works. I recall, though, Vatican II's document on the laity, Apostolicam Actuositatem, which reminds us that, "the laity likewise share in the priestly, prophetic and royal office of Christ and therefore have their own share in the mission of the whole people of God in the Church and in the World." (#2) My friends, we are the Church too. Let us embrace our roles as priests, prophets and rulers and work to transform both the Church and the world despite our personal failings and those of our institution. See my full reflection on this crisis here. With Gratitude,
Dan Dan Misleh
Founding Executive Director
Catholic Climate Covenant | | | | Catholics Are Still In Campaign - Has Your Catholic Institution Signed? We are extending the deadline for institutional signatures on the Catholic Climate Declaration! With your support the Catholic Climate Declaration (CCD) now has 715 institutional signatures and 1,617 individual signatures. If the leader of your Catholic institution hasn't signed yet, please encourage them to sign the declaration. All institutions signing by September 8, 2018 will be presented as "Catholics Are Still In" during a faith-based event at the Global Climate Action Summit. (Signatures are also welcome after September 8, in recognition that some institutions have formal decision-making processes occurring after this date.) To help you and potential signatories make informed requests and decisions, please check the resources found on our website here. You can also check to see if your diocese, parish, school, or other Catholic institution has already signed. Individual Signatories: Have YOU signed the Catholic Climate Declaration? We are now accepting individual signatures! Sign here. Share this link with friends, family, and others in your community and invite them to sign the CCD and to reach out to their bishop, pastor, principal, or other Catholic leader. | | | | | | Pope Francis Urges Action on 'Endless Fields' of Plastic in the World's Oceans
On September 1st (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation), Pope Francis called for action to to protect the world's waters from the "emergency" of plastic wastes in our oceans. He called upon all of us to "pray as if everything depended on God's providence and work as if everything depended on us."
The 2018 Earth Day program has information for action on the issue of plastic pollution. | | | | Catholics Leading the Way | | | | Feast of St. Francis Program Has your parish, school, or religious community planned for a Feast of St. Francis celebration? Every year, Catholic Climate Covenant produces a 90-minute educational program to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis. This year's Feast of St. Francis program: "Who Is My Neighbor in A Climate Threatened World" focuses on the interconnections between immigration, refugees, and climate change. The program includes prayers, readings, a short video, discussion questions, and suggested activities. We are also providing a Blessing of the Animals liturgy. Share the program with others in your community! Though created to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, you are welcome to use the resource at any times that fits best with your community. Download your program guide Hosting a Feast of St. Francis program is the perfect way to celebrate the Season of Creation with prayer and action! If you are hosting a Feast of St. Francis event, you can register it as a Season of Creation event here. | | | | | | Global Climate Action Summit Catholic Side-Events From September 12th-14th, thousands will gather in San Francisco for the Global Climate Action Summit. You are invited to the watch the livestream of the Global Climate Action Summit Catholic Affiliate event, "Living Laudato Si' through Climate Action", highlighting work the Catholic Church has done so far to speak up for the climate and limit climate change, and looking towards the future and ways we can continue to engage in prayer, lifestyle change, and advocacy to better care for creation. This 1 and 1/2 hour event takes place on Friday, September 14th at 1:00 pm PST; 2:00 pm MT; 3:00 pm CT and 4:00 pm ET.
Multi-Faith Service
You can also watch a watch a livestream of the "Multi-Faith Service of Wondering and Commitment" held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on September 12th. If you're in the San Francisco area, you can reserve a seat at Grace Cathedral. | | | | | | Yale Climate Connections Features Jose Aguto
The Covenant's Associate Director, Jose Aguto spoke with Yale Climate Connections about the Catholic Climate Declaration and Catholic commitment to climate action. Check out the interview here. | | | | Faithful Action on Climate Change | | | | Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is a worldwide celebration of prayer and action for our common home. The world's 2.2 billion Christians are invited to pray and act to care for creation. It runs from September 1st (the Day of Prayer for Creation) to October 4th (the Feast of St. Francis). How can you take part? Host an educational event! Pray! Take action! A wealth of resources, including 10 event suggestions, an event host checklist, and much more, can be found on the Season of Creation website. Events can be prayer and worship related, educational programs (such as the Feast of St. Francis program), and/or participation in a campaign. Suggested campaigns include a March for the Climate on September 8 (coinciding with the Global Climate Action Summit), a stream or ocean clean-up, or an ecumenical prayer service. Praying together enriches our love for the Creator and all of creation. See a prayer service guide here. Be sure to register your event to appear on the worldwide event map and receive special resources. | | | | Cincinnati Archdiocese Care of Creation Video
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has produced this 10-minute video highlighting their efforts on creation care and sustainability. The Archdiocese was one of the first diocese to create a Climate Change Task Force that focuses on providing parishes with educational, worship, advocacy, and sustainability resources. Day of Prayer for Creation: A Meditation
Though the Day of Prayer for Creation (Sept. 1st) has passed, LIFE: Day of Prayer for Creation (written by Matt Cato, director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace for the Archdiocese of Portland and Fr. Matt Libra, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish, director of pro-life activities in the archdiocese) is a beautiful mediation on the meaning of the day. San Francisco Catholics Act on Climate
Catholics in the Archdiocese of San Francisco are doing amazing work to protect God's creation and their work is highlighted in this article. Their work will also be lifted up during the Global Catholic Climate Summit in San Francisco. Guided by the Spirit, Climate Activist Takes One Step at a Time
Steve Coleman exemplifies what living Laudato Si' is about. He and his family are committed to living sustainably. However, that's not enough for him. He's using his talents and knowledge to spread the message that caring for God's creation is part of our faith journey. Read Steve's inspirational story here. | | | |  | Catholic Climate Covenant provides all its programs and resources free of charge. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to inspire and equip people and institutions to care for creation and care for the poor. Through our 16 national partners, we guide the U.S. Church's response to climate change by educating, giving public witness, and offering resources. Thank you for giving to care for creation and care for the poor. | | | | | | | |
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