Creation Care Commission
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
All over the world, the Holy Spirit has been working through the global Christian family as we united during the Season of Creation which ends this Sunday, October 4 on the Feast of St. Francis. We send out a big thank you to all who participated in the Tree & Flower Extravaganza, creating spaces of beauty and harmony in our communities!
This month we highlight some great activities happening in the Archdiocese as the Season of Creation comes to a close, plus several new programs available in Indianapolis for individuals and congregations.
We invite you to pause for prayer this week and reflect on the words of Pope Francis in his message for this year's World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation,
"The Jubilee season calls us to think once again of our fellow human beings, especially the poor and the most vulnerable. We are asked to re-appropriate God’s original and loving plan of creation as a common heritage, a banquet which all of our brothers and sisters share in a spirit of conviviality, not in competitive scramble but in joyful fellowship, supporting and protecting one another."
May your day be filled with peace,
All of us on the Creation Care Commission
Season of Creation Prayer Services
October 1 @ St. Thomas Aquinas, 4600 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis at 6:30pm. Gather outside immediately following the outdoor evening mass for a brief prayer service to celebrate the Season of Creation.
October 3 1:30pm Online, Green Mass of the Diocese of Worcester (Massachusetts) - Register for the Mass and short talk sharing personal perspectives on environmental justice after the Mass.
October 4 @ Our Lady of Lourdes, 5333 E Washington St, Indianapolis at 11:30am. To honor the Feast of St. Francis and the Season of Creation, Our Lady of Lourdes will host a blessing of the pets by Deacon Tom. All families are encouraged to bring their pets for the blessing and to commemorate the Season of Creation.
October 4 @ Our Lady of Lourdes, 5333 E Washington St, Indianapolis at 11:30am. To honor the Feast of St. Francis and the Season of Creation, Our Lady of Lourdes will host a blessing of the pets by Deacon Tom. All families are encouraged to bring their pets for the blessing and to commemorate the Season of Creation.
Faithful Citizenship
Wondering about Care of Creation, Catholic Social Teaching, dialogue or the Church's call to being citizens of faith as the nation prepares for the upcoming election? Check out these great opportunities from ArchIndy and beyond:
- Ongoing: On the Common Good & Our Common Home (webinar series from Catholic Climate Covenant)
- Oct 5, 7, 10: Beyond Secular Politics (identical webinars with the Indiana Catholic Conference's new director Angela Espada and associate director Alexander Mingus)
- Ongoing: Pray, Learn, Act as Faithful Citizens (7 week series of articles leading up to the elections from the ArchIndy Office of Human Life and Dignity and Catholic Charities Social Concerns Ministry). Read week 1, week 2, and sign up to receive future weeks by email.
- Anytime: Reflect with USCCB's Laudato Si' 5th Anniversary Card
- Anytime: Explore great resources and commit to honoring human dignity through civil conversation on the USCCB's Civilize It website
Energy Actions for Individuals and Congregations
FREE Virtual eScore™ Home Energy Assessments for IPL customers
A contact-free solution to finding energy savings throughout your home with a virtual IPL advisor. The assessment includes your current eScore, ranked from 1-10; a custom list of upgrades to help your home become a 10; details on IPL rebates for qualified home improvements; a free smart thermostat, LED light bulbs and other instant savers, if eligible. Schedule an assessment
Thriving Faith Communities
Thriving Faith Communities is a new initiative supported by Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light (H-IPL) for Indiana congregations to join together in support of Thrive Indianapolis. Congregations commit to reduce energy consumption by at least 25% over the next three years and to encourage their congregants to do the same. Sign on for learning opportunities, ideas, and support in addition to our Living Laudato Si' Sustainability program.
Interfaith "Green Team" Network
Creation Care teams are invited to join the H-IPL Green Team Network as a way for congregations to share information and support each other in going green. Join the network.
National (Virtual) Solar Tour
From September 28-October 4, connect with H-IPL to view virtual solar tours in Indiana, take a ride in an Electric Vehicle during a virtual test drive, get access to many webinars and see solar projects in communities throughout the country. Registration is free.
If you have any questions, please contact us at mail@ourcommonhome.org
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter or text creationcare to 84576.
The ArchIndy Creation Care Commission is a pastoral ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.