This ministry was formed for bringing to life the basic beliefs of our faith, as called for in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME.

Join us if you want to help build a healthy planet and be part of a movement to promote and mobilize our families and communities into actions of caring for the poor and the environment as a way of life, not a program.

This challenge requires a complete change of heart and mind – “a profound spiritual conversion” – such that we hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth in our soul. 

Our current work is focused on integrating faith development into the Matthew XXV Garden processes, partnering with CRS to sponsor a sustainable water project in Ethiopia, and family development of ecological virtues that enliven their faith and help the poor.

We usually meet on the second Monday of each month. Please contact Bob Holliday, uwholliday@gmail.com, (610) 717-2265.

Laudato Si' Ministry: On Care for Our Common Home

Laudato Si': ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Laudato Si’ Ministry
OVERALL VISION

(* NOTE: All of the quotes below are taken from Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato si’) 

FAMILY DEVELOPMENT – CRS WATER PROJECT

AIM:  To create a movement that ensures universal access to clean drinking water as a “basic human right of all peoples.” *

CREATING AN ENLIVENING FAITH

Creating an enlivening faith in the parish and in the larger community that is: spiritualizing existence (giving spiritual meaning to) of things – both human and in nature – and experiencing God’s transcendence.

CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
•    Creating a “Christian spirituality (that) has a precious contribution to make to the renewal of humanity…an ecological spirituality grounded in the convictions of our faith; a spirituality capable of inspiring us, and grounded in three fundamental relationships: with God, with our neighbor, and with the earth itself…the harmony between God, humanity and creation.”

FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
•    Create the capability in families “to create ecological virtues as a family that demonstrate love and respect for all life, respect for the local ecosystem and care for all creatures which enables us to grow harmoniously.”
•    So that we are: “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork as essential to a life of virtue, not as an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”

GARDEN PROJECT – CRS WATER PROJECT
•    Matthew XXV Garden: Create the infrastructure that enables families and family members to develop living and participative experiences with the poor and vulnerable of the community and their environment, that produces changes in lifestyles and in spirituality. 
•    CRS Sustainable Water Project in Ethiopia: Create the infrastructure that enables families and parish members to experience personal relationships with persons suffering water scarcity and food insecurity in Ethiopia, that leads to “profound changes in lifestyle”. 

CARING ROLES
•    Family members undertaking roles of caring for the poor and the environment in which they are living as a way of life, not as a program.