Saint Francis of Assisi Ministry

Laudato Si

  • Introducing the Laudato Si Action Platform

    As I have written about before, in May of 2015 Pope Francis released his Laudato Si encyclical (tinyurl.com/ReadLaudatoSi). The encyclical addresses climate change, climate injustice, and the care for creation. In the encyclical, Our Holy Father implores us to listen… Continue reading

    Introducing the Laudato Si Action Platform

  • Advent is a Time for an Ecological Conversion

    Advent is a time of anticipation, a time to prepare for something better that will be arriving soon. As Christians, Advent is a time to prepare for the anniversary of Christ’s birth into the world. We spend time praying and… Continue reading

  • Is it a sin if we don’t help to reduce climate change?

    Want to be part of St John’s climate change group? Please join us online for the next meeting of the Saint Francis of Assisi ministry on Tues, July 19 at 5:30. Contact us for a Zoom invite. A listener named… Continue reading

  • Back to Basics: Reading Laudato Si

    I wrote the first Laudato Si in Action article 3 years ago in May of 2019 and to celebrate that milestone as well as Laudato Si week, which is celebrated this year during the week of May 22, I thought… Continue reading

  • Experiencing an Ecological Conversion

    In Laudato Si, Pope Francis, invites to experience an ecological conversion: We need to experience a conversion, or change of heart…it entails gratitude and gratuitousness, a recognition that the world is God’s loving gift, and that we are called quietly… Continue reading

  • World Water Day

    World Water Day was March 22. While most of us living in the US take the availability of clean water and sanitation for granted, this is not true for much of the world’s poor and those living in battle zones.… Continue reading

  • How will you prepare for Lent?

    We are all familiar with the traditional Catholic practices of praying, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent. We may pray more, pray with different intentions, eat less or give up a favorite food or drink. We give more to our parish… Continue reading

  • Cardinal Cupich on Laudato Si

    Last week I attended the “Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church” conference, held virtually and sponsored by the Catholic Climate Covenant and Creighton University. The keynote speaker was Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago. This week,… Continue reading

  • Greta Thunberg

    It’s difficult to point to a single global leader on the climate. Al Gore, former vice president of the US was one of the early climate leaders and continues to lead on the climate. Catholics (and quite a few non-Catholics,… Continue reading

  • Laudato Si Week

    Happy Laudato Si Week! Laudato Si is the title of Pope Francis’ powerful and moving encyclical on climate change and climate justice that was released 6 years ago. The title is taken from the phrase “Laudato si’, mi’ Signore” or”… Continue reading