Laudato Si' is the Church's first encyclical on care for creation and the environment, and in Laudato Si' Pope Francis examines several themes connected to the environment. One of the first themes Pope Francis calls for in Laudato Si' is an "integral ecology." An integral ecology calls for "...an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature" (LS 139). An integral ecology means that in combating poverty, we are also protecting the environment and vice versa.

Another major theme of Laudato Si' is Pope Francis' call to protect the environment for future generations. He poignantly asks, "What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?" (LS 160). Catholic youth are not only leading the way for sustainability, but they are at the forefront of leadership, conversations and civic actions aimed at creating a society more attuned to environmental and racial justice. Pope Francis sums up their passion across the full range of social and environmental issues in Laudato Si'; "Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded" (LS 13). Young people today are calling on adults to act and advocate on behalf of the environment, and to help them protect the Earth for future generations.

Additionally in Laudato Si' is Pope Francis's call for conversion. Our Catholic faith calls each of us to conversion to turn away from sin and towards Jesus Christ! The Holy Father calls us to an ecological conversion to realize the profound impact of global environmental degradation and to transform our lifestyles and choices so that in our daily choices we place the poor and suffering first while protecting the environment.

Much work is still needed! For the 5" anniversary of Laudato Si, the Holy See's Dicastery (Office) for Promoting Integral Human Development created a special anniversary year from May 24, 2020 to May 24, 2021 to promote a wider understanding and implementation of Laudato Si'.

Did you know that the title of this encyclical comes from the first line of St. Francis' Canticle of the Creatures? Pray St. Francis' Canticle here: http:// www.shrinesf.org/franciscan¬prayer.html

Human-caused climate change is damaging our communities-locally, nationally, and globally. Pope Francis states, "Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political, and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day" (LS 25).

Laudato Si' calls us as people of faith to embrace environmental science and the science of climate change to protect and preserve the environment for future generations because the Earth is God's wondrous creation and gift to humanity.

Released on May 24, 2020, the Dicastery's, Laudato Si' Special Anniversary Year document calls for individuals and communities to embark on a seven-year journey of implementing the teachings of Laudato Si'.

How we defend all human life, with special attention to those most abandoned, vulnerable, marginalized: includes work with low-income families, immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities, homeless, trafficked women and children, Native Americans, people with disabilities, LGBT people; all who suffer from structural racism; political, social and economic negligence and are disproportionately affected by climate change. (Laudato Si')

Main Goal: greater use of clean renewable energy and reduction of fossil fuels in order to achieve carbon neutrality efforts to promote and protect biodiversity and to guarantee clean water for all. (Laudato Si') [Recycling, avoid use of all plastic bags, bottles, etc., reduce water and light (electricity) consumption, lobby congress for alternatives to fossil fuel, etc.]

Engagement means actively ensuring all communities; especially our cultural communities are consulted, listened to, and empowered to make decisions on environmental issues that affect them. Persons of all income levels including low-to-moderate income, the elderly, children, immigrants, people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, racial and ethnic minorities, and indigenous people must be included in discussions and decisions related to their communities.

The lack of environmental and racial justice is of great concern to our Church. In Laudato Si', Pope Francis points to the global dimensions of the issue of environmental and racial justice, and how these issues are interconnected. Excessive consumption, extraction of Earth's natural resources, and the culture of waste in affluent countries, has led to dire consequences for the most vulnerable countries of the world and has had a negative impact upon the health of people living in vulnerable countries.

Many vulnerable countries have experienced environmental consequences due to climate-change such as: rising temperatures, rising sea levels, intense flooding, severe drought, and dangerous fires. These consequences have resulted in water scarcity, devastated many farming communities, and people forced to flee their countries for better lives as climate refugees. Such climate refugees ( e.g. from Central America and Africa) can be found in our communities, and some of them encounter discrimination in the archdiocese and this country.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted additional injustices, as people of color" were more likely to work in jobs that put them at risk along the food supply chain, in hard-hit meatpacking and food processing plants, and in grocery stores. People of color also were more likely to lose their jobs and become food insecure due to their disproportionate representation in sectors of the economy that could not be shifted to working from home during the pandemic's shutdowns.

As we work towards environmental justice, we must also work towards ensuring racial justice. We must be mindful of the Church's teachings that God created the Earth, and all people are made in God's image and likeness and therefore, deserve to be treated with dignity.

Fair trade, ethical investments, divestment from fossil fuels and investment in renewable energy, increase purchasing awareness. [avoid plastic bottles, boxes, etc.] Housing, food, Green Space

Intense focus in the use of resources and energy, avoid single-use plastic, adopt

a plant-based diet, reduce meat consumption, plant vegetable gardens, use public transport, etc., increase purchasing awareness, avoid plastic.

In Laudato Si', we are called to adopt a prayerful and intentional approach to our purchases, and to be mindful of the toll our choices have on God's creation and the world we live in. Laudato Si' calls us to live more simply.

There are many ways to live more simply that foster care for creation. For example, living simply can include buying less goods, purchasing re-usable products to reduce single use plastics, using plant ¬based home cleaners and consuming more in-season fruits and vegetables over meat- based meals. Another way to live simply is to use what Pope Francis calls the "circular economy of materials." The circular economy of materials includes the trading, exchanging, and donation of office, home, and personal items within our communities.

Re-think and redesign educational curricula and educational institutional reform in the spirit of integral ecology to create ecological awareness and action, promoting the ecological vocation of youth, teachers, and leaders of education

Ecological education can be integrated into our catechetical programs and liturgical celebrations because our Catholic faith offers a rich array of teachings on the theology of creation, life and human dignity and our role in fostering the common good. We learn from the Book of Genesis that all of creation is good: "God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good" ( Gen 1:31). We also hear sung in the Psalms that "The Earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24). As stewards of God's creation, we are called to care for creation in loving and sustainable ways. Earth is our shared home, and its goods belong to all people and for all to use.

The witness of the saints show us holiness is tied to caring for God's creation. St. Francis of Assisi and St. Hildegard of Bingen are known for their devotion to creation and seeing God's sanctity in all of creation. Francis and Hildegard encouraged a contemplative and sacramental view of creation and lived lives imbued with the virtues of temperance and prudence. These virtues are needed today as we work for environmental efforts that preserve God's creation.

Pope Francis has joined with other Christian leaders in designating September 1 to October 4 of each year as a Season of Creation. Parishes can celebrate the Season of Creation through preaching, offering prayer services, and other activities that focus on Catholic teaching on care for our common home. Care for creation and concern for marginalized communities should be integrated into our proclamation about the life and dignity of all people and into how to celebrate life during October's Respect Life Month. Concern for our planet and respect for vulnerable individuals in marginalized communities are important dimensions of what it means to be pro-life.

Contemplation of God's creation, encouraging greater contact with the natural world in a spirit of wonder, praise, joy, gratitude, promoting creation-centered liturgies and celebrations, retreats, prayer. Share good readings, artistic expressions, other sources on creation spirituality.

Pope Francis reminds us that spirituality rooted in creation is Christ centered, and this Christological approach compels us to be in relationship with others. This Christ-centered approach challenges us to change our personal behaviors and to seek to change society for the better. Guided by Catholic social teaching, Catholics have historically engaged in collective and individual advocacy work across a range of issues for the common good. Laudato Si' has been "added to the body of the Church's social teaching," (LS 15).

Catholics are called to be advocates for our common home, Earth. We are called to advocate for the people who are most directly affected by climate issues, namely the poor. Pope Francis wrote, "the gravest of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest, (LS 48). Thus, we are called to be prprophetic and persistent advocates at the local, state, and national levels of government.

Community organizing. Care for creation at local, regional national and international levels. Promote neighborhood/people's campaigns for fair housing, neighborhoods, work against polluting, destruction of trees, territories, and eco-systems.