The Global Catholic Climate Movement (catholicclimatemovement.global) has released its Lenten Calendar 2021 that is focused on concrete actions we can take each week to improve the planet as well as ourselves.
Lent is a time of preparation for Easter and the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. During this time of fasting and renewal, we will embark upon a journey of ecological conversion through reflection, repentance, and renewal. Together.
If you go to their website, there is some confusion about whether the actions start in week 1 or week 2, but since this article series is starting during the second week of Lent, I am favoring the actions starting during the second week of Lent as depicted on their Laudato Si Lent Calendar which you can view or download at https://bit.ly/3slTmFN.
From the calendar:
Go on a buying fast this week and commit to not buying anything. You can do it! Start by looking at ways you can repair what you have instead of buying something new.
The stuff we buy and consume has a taxing effect on the planet. The world produces more than two billion tons of waste, and 99% of the stuff we harvest, mine, and transport is trash within six months. Six months! Learn more by watching The Story of Stuff.
This week would be a great time to check out your local Buy Nothing group at https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group. See this Buy Nothing post from December for more details.
Note: I would like to suggest the “buying fast” not prevent you from buying any essential food or medicine, especially since I didn’t warn you in advance! But excepting for essential purchases for our health, let’s try to refrain from using cash or credit to purchase any new items this week!
From Laudato Si, Pope Francis implores us to reject consumerism:
Christian spirituality proposes a growth marked by moderation and the capacity to be happy with little.
Next week we will be fasting from meat: so you might want to shop for more produce, veggie burgers, and beans this coming Sunday (once the buying fast is lifted).
Working together, we can help take care of our common home.
Paul Litwin
Saint Francis of Assisi at St John the Evangelist 