Oh God, creator of this universe! You have bestowed on us the care of this magnificent planet and all its creatures, and we give you grateful thanks.

Pope Francis has called this planet our "common home" on which we live together. We ask you, O God, to give us the knowledge and ability to prevent the destruction of our "common home" and its creatures.

Our prayer is that we have the courage and the spirit to listen and act upon this knowledge that you, O God, planted within each of us. May we be creators and not destroyers. This we ask of you, God and Creator of all!

Amen.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has some great hidden and not-so-hidden outdoor treasures. Plan your spring and summer trips to include one of these destinations!

Spring Native Plant Sales - The Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab at Marian University in Indianapolis is hosting a native plant sale to benefit education programs and restoration in the EcoLab. Native flowers, grasses, and groundcover from Spence Restoration are available to order online this April. 

Why plant native? There are many benefits to native planting: lower maintenance with less need for artificial fertilizers, ability to conserve water in their natural habitat, plus many natives provide vital habitat for birds and other species of  local wildlife.

Simple Living: God's Vision of Abundant Life - an educational and prayer program from the Catholic Climate Covenant. Perfect for families, parishes, schools, and religious communities. Get the guide

Run4Unity - May 7 - Join teens, young people, families and community members in many countries and hundreds of cities in the Run4Unity, a worldwide relay race uniting people across ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds to build peace and plant trees. 

Co-sponsored by the Laudato Si' Action Platform and Focolare Movement as part of United World Week, participants of all ages will care for their bodies through physical exercise and care for the Earth by having their kilometers ran or minutes of exercise exchanged for trees to be planted across the world. Register individually or as a group at www.teens4unity.org/run4unity.