+Praise be to You!+
This fall, Archbishop Thompson signed a letter on behalf of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to join Catholic organizations from around the country in calling for protection for our common home and building a better tomorrow for present and future generations. These organizations have written to President Biden and Congress to encourage them to work beyond partisanship and create climate solutions as the world prepares for the international climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, this November (COP26).
The ArchIndy Creation Care Ministry invites you to add your name to the letter to congress today - https://godsplanet.us/catholic-climate-petition-individuals.
The ArchIndy Creation Care Ministry invites you to add your name to the letter to congress today - https://godsplanet.us/catholic-climate-petition-individuals.
Climate change is an urgent moral issue that threatens the life and dignity of present and future generations, adds to the hardships already experienced by the poorest and most vulnerable people domestically and abroad, and degrades Earth, our common home!
We have also included more advocacy opportunities, prayers and happenings around the world in this newsletter.
Together in Christ,
All of us on the Creation Care Commission
Advocacy and COP26
In Indiana
Sign up for Action Alerts from the Indiana Catholic Conference for the upcoming legislative session.
Sign the Interfaith Declaration on a Just Transition from Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light to ask our Indiana state legislators to declare climate change a significant threat and establish a task force to address it during the next legislative session.
Join the Indiana Catholics for Creation (IC4C) - a statewide group of lay people, priests, and religious who are working together to protect our common in each of Indiana's diocese. For more information email Sister Sheila at sheilamarie@benedictine.com.
In the United States
Send a message compiled by the Catholic Climate Covenant to U.S. leaders to work together to boldly protect our common home and our future.
(Same petition as mentioned in our welcome message)
Worldwide
Happy Planet, Happy People is an open letter from Catholics to Political leaders participating in COP26.
Online Workshops
Stepping Forward for the Global Common Good is a five-part workshop series which aims to promote the urgency of understanding and participating in the COP26 process.
And most important - PRAY!
A prayer for world leaders as they gather in Glasgow for COP 26
Creator God, we pray for you to raise up a generation of leaders with the courage to take responsibility for our changing climate, and the part we have played in it.
God, we intercede for our politicians and leaders – cause them to act in the best interests of all nations today, and all peoples’ in the future, in order to avoid catastrophic changes.
God, we ask for a generation of leaders who will be willing to act justly so that those who have contributed so little to the problems we are facing, and have fewer resources with which to face it, are not left to shoulder our burden.
God, we ask for you to fill the hearts of all who lead rich nations – give them your mercy and compassion on poor countries already suffering the effects of a changing climate.
Just as they have been moved to cancel debt in the past, encourage them also to release funds so that poor communities can adapt to the effects of climate change, and develop cleanly.
God, in your mercy, lead our leaders to truth, and transformation.
~Adapted from The Sanctuary Center, Prayers In Response to Climate Change
Creator God, we pray for you to raise up a generation of leaders with the courage to take responsibility for our changing climate, and the part we have played in it.
God, we intercede for our politicians and leaders – cause them to act in the best interests of all nations today, and all peoples’ in the future, in order to avoid catastrophic changes.
God, we ask for a generation of leaders who will be willing to act justly so that those who have contributed so little to the problems we are facing, and have fewer resources with which to face it, are not left to shoulder our burden.
God, we ask for you to fill the hearts of all who lead rich nations – give them your mercy and compassion on poor countries already suffering the effects of a changing climate.
Just as they have been moved to cancel debt in the past, encourage them also to release funds so that poor communities can adapt to the effects of climate change, and develop cleanly.
God, in your mercy, lead our leaders to truth, and transformation.
~Adapted from The Sanctuary Center, Prayers In Response to Climate Change
What is COP26?
From Oct 31 - Nov 12, leaders and organizations from around the world will meet at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. Here countries will announce their plans to meet the goals of the Paris agreement and discuss forward action towards these goals and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
COP26 Summary (EcoJesuits)
COP26 Explained (Conference website)
Pope Francis on COP26 from a recent “Faith and Science: Towards COP26” meeting with scientists, religious leaders and experts in the Vatican.
Laudato Si' Action Platform
The hard launch of Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP) has been moved to Nov 14.
Each sector (families, parishes/dioceses, economy, educational institutions, organizations, religious orders and hospitals) is invited to participate in the 40 day prayer campaign leading up to Nov 14.
If you parish is ready to get started on the platform, check out the Feast of St. Francis program which focuses on the call for "Eco-conversion" that is central to the platform. The St. Francis program is designed to assist you and your community discern how to engage with the LSAP.
👇 Download the Feast of St. Francis Program
All materials related to the LSAP are also available in Spanish.
Grants Available
Cool Congregations
Win $1,000 for your creation care project completed in 2019, 2020, or 2021 through a national contest with Interfaith Power and Light! The application form is applicant info plus a few questions (max 250 words each).
ENTRIES DUE DEC 15
Categories
- COOL CONGREGATIONS PLANNER (Audits, Planning Reports, Fundraising)
- ENERGY SAVER (Lighting, Insulation, Windows & Doors, Heating & Cooling Systems)
- RENEWABLE ROLE MODEL (Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Solar Water Heating)
- SACRED GROUNDS STEWARD (Native Landscaping, Organic Gardening, Water Conservation, Bike Racks, Wildlife Habitats, Recycling & Composting)
- COMMUNITY INSPIRATION (congregations that inspire congregants to save energy at home. It also includes congregations helping their communities transition from fossil fuels to clean energy and to become more resilient and prepare for the impacts of climate change)
- ELECTRIC VEHICLE LEADERs (Congregants and Staff -EV Charging Stations, Outreach, Educating and Advocating for EVs)
News and upcoming events
Nov 3 - "Called to CARE" with Catholic Charities An Evening of Reflection for Women hosted by Catholic Charities Social Concerns @ the Benedict Inn from 6-9pm. Launch of a new parish resource on migration and refugees, "Call to CARE": a non-political, discipleship focused look at how we as Catholic- Christian women can recognize Christ in our midst. Evening includes Mass. More information 👇 - Register here
Indianapolis Spirit and Place
Nov 7 - Monarchs in a Changing World: Under the guidance of mural artist Megan Jefferson and the Central Indiana Land Trust, attendees will help complete a 4-panel mural while learning about the monarch butterfly life cycle. Join the waitlist
Nov 10 - Climate Change and American Religion: Resetting the Agenda
Can religion contribute to meaningful change, or are the main solutions political? Join Peter Thuesen, author of Tornado God, as we discuss one of the biggest challenges of our time. Register (free)
If you have any questions, please contact us at mail@ourcommonhome.org
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter or text creationcare to 84576.
Creation Care Ministry is a pastoral ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
