As the one-year anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on the environment, approaches, Jesuit institutions are taking stock of their response to the pope’s rallying cry to care for our common home. From carbon emission challenges to organic farms and sustainable practices, to environmental courses and an online environmental textbook, to prayer services and reflections that incorporate Ignatian spirituality, Jesuit parishes, schools, universities and social ministries are living Laudato Si’, while recognizing there’s much more to do. Click here to see a roundup of Jesuit institutions’ environmental programs and activities.
“We are just beginning to see the impacts of the encyclical, which is not about short-term change or easy fixes,” said Jesuit Father Timothy P. Kesicki, president of the Jesuit Conference, the organization that represents the Society of Jesus in Canada and the U.S. “Pope Francis is calling us to ecological conversion and integral change, to free ourselves from a culture of waste and to live in solidarity with creation and the most vulnerable. This is at the heart of our teaching and who we are as Catholics.”
As members of the pope’s religious order, Jesuits have taken special care to prioritize action on the issue. Following is a sampling of how Jesuit institutions have risen to the challenge:
Jesuit universities leading the way: All 28 Jesuit universities in the U.S. have embraced Laudato Si’. Jesuit schools and universities are integrating themes of sustainability, ecology and social justice into their dialogue, practices, course offerings and curriculum.Loyola University Chicago held a symposium last fall, “Caring for Our Common Home: Conversations on Ecology & Justice.” Just weeks after the release of the pope’s encyclical, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. announced it would not make or continue any direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production. Last fall, Xavier University in Cincinnati won the 2015 “Learning By Design” Magazine award for integrating sustainability into the design and renovation of its main classroom building, Altar Hall. Xavier is also identifying ways to integrate ecology into its curriculum and in the fall offered a course on Sustainable and Resilient Communities at the intersection of social justice and environmental stewardship.
Ignatian Carbon Challenge: Created by a team of theology and science teachers at Cheverus High School in Portland, Maine, the Ignatian Carbon Challenge invites both individuals and institutions to address climate change and environmental justice through a series of monthly challenges. The online program is run by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, which works to educate and form advocates for social justice animated by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the witness of the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador and their companions.
Prayer and discussion at Jesuit parishes: Many of the 62 Jesuit parishes in the U.S. have responded to the encyclical by holding prayer services and hosting discussions on the implications of Laudato Si’. For example, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish and School in Sacramento, California, hosted an educational series on the encyclical and on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, held a schoolwide prayer service.
Free online environmental science textbook: In January, Healing Earth, a free online environmental textbook created by the International Jesuit Ecology Project (IJEP) was launched for higher education and secondary schools around the world. This online textbook addresses the major ecological challenges of our time, including climate change, from an integrated scientific, spiritual, and ethical perspective.
Ignatian spirituality meets organic farming: In Guelph, Ontario, the Ignatius Jesuit Centreencompasses 600 acres of farmland, wetland and woodland. The Centre offers Ignatian spirituality retreats and programs for people seeking to connect their lives with God and all creation, while Ignatius Farm is a model for organic and community-shared agriculture, and the mentoring of organic growers. And at the Ignatius Old-Growth Forest, 100 acres are being restored, offering a beautiful place for people of all ages to connect with the natural world.Right outside Montreal at La Ferme Berthe Rousseau, an associate work of the Jesuits’ French Canadian Province, people facing personal challenges in their lives are welcomed. Through community life on the farm and communion with the land – living with residents and visitors, taking care of the animals, harvesting the vegetables – residents can begin to heal.
The following are highlights of the ways that Jesuit colleges and universities, secondary schools, parishes, and social ministries in both the United States and Canada have responded to Laudato Si’ in just one year. It is not an exhaustive list but offers an illustration of impact Pope Francis’s call to “care for our common home,” is already making.
JESUIT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES:
Boston College – Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Hosted Our Common Home: An Ethical Summons to Tackle Climate Change conference;
Anticipating certification of 6th LEED silver certified building;
Students are involved in promoting sustainability through student groups such as Ecopledge, Real Food BC, Ecoreps, and the Environmental Law Society;
Continued progress by campus sustainability office to reduce energy use and increase energy;
Creighton University – Omaha, Nebraska
Sponsored two reading groups for a total of about 85 faculty and staff, to read and reflect on Laudato Si’’;
Center for Catholic Thought published numerous podcasts on encyclical – August 2015 & May 2016;
Article published in Creighton Magazine regarding encyclical;
Fairfield University – Fairfield, Connecticut
Hosted an interdisciplinary panel with faculty representatives from biology, economics, political science, environmental studies, and Catholic studies;
Fordham University – New York City, New York
Joined 30 Catholic dioceses, organizations and universities in filing an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in support of the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever federal standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants;
Through Climate Action Plan, Fordham will measure and implement methods to reduce its carbon footprint, working to meet the City of New York’s program for carbon reduction of 30 percent by the year 2017;
Hosted panel on encyclical that featured Jeffrey Sachs, Ph.D, and Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and was moderated by Joan Rosenhauer, Vice President for Catholic Relief Services;
Georgetown University – Washington, DC
Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility is incorporating the lessons of Laudato Si’ and its emphasis on care for creation in its new guidelines on University investments;
University announcement that they would not make or continue any direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production;
Office of Sustainability continues work on commitment to cut carbon footprint in half by 2020, an effort established in 2013;
Environment Initiative continues to reinforce to set directions for future scholarship and education efforts in environment and sustainability;
Gonzaga University – Spokane, Washington
Hosted panels of faculty from across the university to engage with the encyclical from an academic perspective. Presentations were followed by a moderated discussion and concluded with a communal reflection on what actions might be taken in light of the discussion;
Facilitated the creation of encyclical reading groups;
Film series that complimented several of the themes in Laudato Si’ with panel discussions;
John Carroll University – University Heights, Ohio
Jeffrey Johansen, Ph.D., professor in the department of biology, gave a presentation on climate change to John Carroll Alumni following the release of the encyclical;
Campus Ministry scheduled a luncheon talk entitled, “Care for the Earth,” attended by students, faculty and staff;
Became signatory of the Catholic Climate Covenant Pledge and the Leaders of Catholic Higher Education Pledge;
Le Moyne College – Syracuse, New York
McDevitt Center sponsored a lecture series of four lectures around the theme “Sustaining Earth”;
Campus mass homilies were themed around encyclical at encouragement of local Catholic bishop;
Answering Pope Francis’s call to action in Laudato Si’ by advocating a response to climate change. Le Moyne joined 30 Catholic dioceses, organizations and universities in filing an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in support of the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever federal standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants;
Loyola University Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
Caring for Our Common Home: Conversations on Ecology & Justice, a symposium on Laudato Si’;
“Viriditas: Finding God in All Things,” lecture by Fr. Bill McNichols on the icon, Viriditas, which he created for Loyola University Chicago to highlight its commitment to environmental sustainability;
THEA Institute: Theology of Healing Earth in Action, a week long camp for high school students to explore theology and Laudato Si,’ will launch in 2017. THEA is based on “Healing Earth,” an environmental science e-textbook that has been developed by the International Jesuit Ecology Project;
Loyola University Maryland – Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore activist artist, Bridget Parlato created the River of Recyclables, a project designed to involve and inspire the Loyola community around the topic of sustainability and becoming stronger community stewards of our environment;
Student-led events included a Care for Creation Mass and Earth Week activities;
Reflecting In Community, Interfaith with Francis, participation in a global initiative called #LightTheWay, a worldwide call to action for world leaders to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. This prayer experience focused on life, the earth and the common good;
Loyola University New Orleans – New Orleans, Louisiana
Through its Climate Action Plan, Loyola has pledged to become a climate neutral institution;
Recently renovated Thomas Hall has achieved LEED Gold Certification for its environmental sustainability components;
The Loyola Institute for Ministry a webinar on the encyclical soon after its release;
In collaboration with the Environment Program, the Office of Mission and Ministry coordinated an interfaith prayer service for Earth Day in April drawing inspiration from the encyclical;
Loyola Marymount University – Los Angeles, California
Care For the Earth: A Roundtable Discussion on Pope Francis’ Ecological Encyclical;
Laudato Si’ and Climate Change speaker series held on campus;
Student Engagement – Smaller, targeted projects for students to raise awareness of ecological issues and the Catholic Church including: quotes from Laudato Si’ posted along one of the main walkways; collaboration of GreenLMU and ACTI on social media; and the selection of a group of students by professors to meet with Naomi Klein when she came to campus to discuss their concerns and learn more about activism;
Marquette University – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mission Week 2016 theme was “EarthJustice: Committing to our Sacred World” and included numerous lectures and campus events;
Became the final tenant to move into the Global Water Center on Freshwater Way in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood. Marquette researchers occupy approximately 8,000 of the seven-story facility’s 100,000 square feet. Led by the Water Council, the Global Water Center houses water-related research facilities for universities, existing water-related companies and accelerator space for emerging companies;
In the midst of developing a plan to integrate academic, physical, and financial priorities to develop more sustainable infrastructure;
Regis University – Denver, Colorado
Annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, focused on the creation story and the sacredness of the environment, and Fr. Joseph Carver, SJ. served as the guest homilist Additionally, Carver offered an evening presentation and discussion on Laudato Si’ and Ignatian spirituality;
Greg Grobmeier, Ph.D., taught an Integrative Core Courses entitled “Globalization, Ecology, and Responsibility”;
Hosted an evening event for an organization called Natural Capitalism Solutions, entitled Encyclical to Action: Business, Government & Faith Acting Together, and Colorado’s former governor Bill Ritter was among the guest speakers;
As part of integrative core, every student is required to take a Global Environmental Awareness course;
Rockhurst University – Kansas City, Missouri
Rockhurst is promoting sustainability on campus in many ways, including the Green Club for students, the Sustainability Committee for faculty and staff, and the Student Senate;
Recently retrofitted the entire campus with more energy efficient lighting, toilets and showers with equipment that reduces gallons per minute usage, eliminated styrofoam in the dining halls, began using a compost for leftovers from the dining hall, and much more;
Campus hosted Earth Week which included daily prayer, presentation on encyclical, a fruit tree planting at a local parish and food pantry, and a “care of the Earth” photo contest;
Campus ministry purchased carbon offsets for travel to various conferences and retreats;
Saint Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
SJU Catholic Relief Services Student Ambassadors participated in the “I am Climate Change” campaign, writing letters to Congress advocating for more sustainable environmental policies;
Theology on Tap – current student and alumni event where speakers offered their thoughts on the significance of Pope Francis’s recent encyclical;
Selected to win a “Go for the Green Award” from the Lower Merion Township’s Environmental Advisory Council;
Saint Louis University – Saint Louis, Missouri
SLU’s Center for Sustainability is helping to create a more sustainable world through interdisciplinary education, research and community engagement. This year, the Center for Sustainability Students designed affordable technology to help farmers collect data to improve crop productivity in the midst of climate change;
SLU is installing solar arrays on six campus buildings and several more are slated for installation by 2016;
The campus is engaged in multiple efforts to counter a culture of waste. It’s Trash to Treasure drive keeps waste out of landfills by donating unwanted items to local nonprofits. The campus diverted more than 400,000 pounds of waste from landfills during its 2015 RecycleMania competition;
The campus plans to reduce energy and water consumption by 20 percent by 2020;
Saint Peter’s University – Jersey City, New Jersey
Saint Peter’s University became a signatory of the Catholic Climate Covenant;
Gardens planted and maintained by Social Justice, Honors, Biology, and Community Service Students. “Peas and Justice” and May Day programs in gardens focus on climate change, environmental justice, and a vigil for Berta Caceres, the Honduran activist who was assassinated in retaliation for her defense of indigenous rights and the environment. Food from gardens is harvested for use in the campus soup kitchen;
Syrian Refugee Day on campus considered how climate change was a major factor in the start of a war, which has dispersed and killed millions of people;
Climate justice vigils on campus co-sponsored by social justice students, Campus Ministry, and Sustainability Committee. Before vigils, social justice students studied Laudato Si together. Social justice students sponsored Naomi Klein’s film, “This Changes Everything” on campus;
Co-sponsored the 4th Annual Science and Sustainable Living Conference, “Branching Communities Together,” in April of 2016. The conference brought together the University and economically impoverished communities in Newark and Jersey City who well understand that the poor will be the first to suffer the worst effects of climate change;
Santa Clara University – Santa Clara, California
Cardinal Turkson headlines “Our Common Home” conference hosted on campus;
Ignatian Day of Reflection: Climate Justice and Sustainability offered to campus community members;
Faculty Reading Groups organized to read encyclical;
Seattle University – Seattle, Washington
Lecture series inspired by Laudato Si’;
Earth Spirituality and Justice course offered an innovative team-taught seminar experience on the encyclical built from the Catholic Heritage Lectures;
Students created their own series of Lenten reflections focused on environmental justice as a part of the Catholic Relief Services “I am climate change” campaign;
“Laudato Si’ Contemplative Hike”
Spring Hill College – Mobile, Alabama
Offering summer institute course on the encyclical and Year of Mercy;
Hosted a symposium on encyclical to raise awareness that featured three faculty: Stephen Wilson, Ph.D., Sergio Castello, Ph.D., and Leslie Bordas, Ph.D.;
University of Detroit Mercy – Detroit, Michigan
Dr. Gary Kuleck, Dean of the College of Engineering & Science joined deans of 22 Catholic universities in authoring an op-ed article following the encyclical on climate change appearing in U.S. News & World Report, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math;
Dr. Greg Grabowski highlighted the importance of taking care of the planet in light of the encyclical in an op-ed entitled, “Laudato Si’ can offer blueprint for responsibility” published in Michigan Catholic;
University of San Francisco – San Francisco, California
Released this video of the president speaking in response to the encyclical. He also spoke at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club on the topic;
Mission Council along with several Bay Area organizations hosted a 3-part lecture series on the encyclical and the response of communities of faith, featuring Mary Evelyn Tucker from the Yale Forum on Religion and the Environment;
The University of Scranton – Scranton, Pennsylvania
University of Scranton’s Office of Sustainability developed a comprehensive strategy to integrate sustainability throughout campus life through academics, in tangible ways through physical plant improvements and via community education;
University buildings have earned LEED Certification, including the Loyola Science Center that earned LEED gold status and the Patrick & Margaret DeNaples Center that earned LEED Silver Certification;
Hosted a Sustainability Symposium that featured Richard Malloy, S.J., Sister Maryanne Foley, Ph.D., Oliver Morgan, Ph.D., and Charles Pinches, Ph.D.;
Wheeling Jesuit University – Wheeling, West Virginia
Ecumenical Environmentalism Conversation that welcomed pastors and lay members from various religious backgrounds to discuss the encyclical and its impact on the faith community;
Conversation for students and community members, led by the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese Social Ministries Office, which dissected the encyclical to truly understand the message Pope Francis was trying to convey and its significance to the Appalachian region;
Appalachian People’s Pastoral Letter Public Forum and Summer Lunch Discussion
Environmental course on Theology and the Natural World this coming Fall will link theology and reflection with environmental issues. Text for the class will include segments of the encyclical as well as the Healing Earth online textbook;
Xavier University – Cincinnati, Ohio
Xavier’s main classroom building, Alter Hall, was renovated with sustainability integrated into the design and won a 2015 award for “quality in educational facilities through design that enhance teaching, programming, academic outcomes, and the environment”;
Offered a class last fall, SUST 405: Sustainable and Resilient Communities at the intersection of social justice and environmental stewardship. Community members participated in the classroom discussion and teaching;
In cooperation with many regional partnerships, is hosting the “Regional Sustainability Summit” for the 2nd year;
JESUIT SECONDARY SCHOOLS:
Boston College High School – Boston, Massachusetts
Faculty/staff service day focused on encyclical and environmental issues which included service in the community, reflection, and prayer;
Jesuit province representative for social ministry visited campus to speak with student groups and classes on work of Jesuits related to environmental issues;
Joined the Ignatian Carbon Challenge. Student group (Green Eagles) have been very active with recycling on campus, and have had several conversations with an alum who is involved in urban farming about what can be done on campus and about buying locally grown produce for consumption on campus;
Brophy College Preparatory – Phoenix, Arizona
Textile recycling drive during the month of April;
Faculty faith development series this year focused on Year of Mercy themes, one of which focused on encyclical;
Experiential course entitled “The Church in the Modern World: Peru” took a day to focus on environmental issues;
Community Gardening and Renewable Energy work day at Phoenix Renews area in downtown Phoenix where students and faculty learned about sustainable homes for desert climates;
Sustainability Advocacy Day held on campus. Four different tents with interactive exhibits and media: a showing of the film “The 11th Hour”, a tent on gardening and land use crisis for raising protein/meat, a cricket flour bakery tasting booth, and climate change and poverty projects that adopted the Paris protocols and laudato Si initiatives/insights;
Reusable water bottle filling stations now installed throughout campus (8). Students and families offered discounted price on Brophy water bottles. Plastic water bottles are no longer allowed on campus through food service or concessions;
Cheverus High School – Portland, Maine
Community summer reading book to open up questions about climate change, environmental justice and our contributions and solutions to the problem;
All-day faculty in-service with presentations and experiences to aid teachers in ways to address climate change in their classes;
Banned single-use water bottles from the theology wing, to inspire other departments to do the same. Students viewed the movie Tapped to help them understand the rationale for the new policy;
Three faculty initially designed and proposed a partnership with ISN to launch the Ignatian Carbon Challenge;
De Smet Jesuit High School – Saint Louis, Missouri
Joined in the Ignatian Carbon Challenge;
Freshmen will receive Nalgene bottles at Odyssey Days, where they will be introduced to the importance of the environmental impact that we each have, and a walkthrough on specific instructions, i.e., how to recycle, how to take care of the trays that they use for lunch in the cafeteria;
Plastic bottles and styrofoam cups will be eliminated by installing water fountains that can easily fill students’ personal Nalgene containers;
Fordham Preparatory – New York City, New York
Hosted Pope Francis and the Call to Environmental Stewardship: A Panel Discussion co-sponsored by America,featuring Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J.; James Martin S.J.; Gilbert Martinez C.S.P.;
Ecology immersion trip to Costa Rica to help preserve the endangered leatherback sea turtles;
School-wide assembly on encyclical with Stephen Ritz of the Bronx Green Machine;
Georgetown Preparatory – Washington, D.C.
Social Justice course examined the issues that constitute environmental injustice using encyclical as lens to understand and evaluate;
Campus speaker; Mr. John Leary, GP ‘96 and executive director of Trees for the Future, spoke of the impact forest gardens have on eliminating poverty caused by a degrading environment;
Student environmental club continued efforts to develop revamped recycling program and purchase new bins made of recyclable milk jugs for use around campus;
Water stations to encourage use of reusable water bottles will be installed on campus soon;
Students led an Assembly on Earth Day highlighting the core issues, featuring a prayer from Pope Francis from Earth Day 2015 and calling on students to take seriously the realities of climate change;
Committed to the Ignatian Carbon Challenge for next year;
Hosted Sister Ilia Delio to speak about incarnational theology and its implications for our current climate crisis;
Jesuit High School – Sacramento, California
Hosted a week-long Social Justice Summit on Environmental Justice in January 2016. The Summit included guest speakers every period all week long on environmental issues as well as opportunities for advocacy;
Loyola Academy – Wilmette, Illinois
Environmental Science Service Learning class working to launch an environmental responsibility initiative to phase out their use of plastic water bottles in a campaign called Love the Planet;
Solidarity Week theme inspired by a quote from encyclical. Throughout the week, students discussed and reflected on a variety of ways in which they have been challenged to strengthen that conviction;
The electrical power for Loyola’s Wilmette campus is now 100 percent sourced from renewable, “green” providers, made official by the 2015 Renewable Energy Certificate from Green-e Energy;
Marquette University High School – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Student group named “Laudato Si’ Project” started to to respond to the encyclical, which works to restore humanity’s connection to the natural world through education, stewardship, and recreation. Group has taken students into Wisconsin’s natural areas to learn about water quality issues in lakes and rivers, prairie/woodland restoration, and migratory bird banding;
“Laudato Si’ Project” has conducted over 100 hours of volunteer stewardship since the beginning of 2016. MUHS students have done this through: invasive species removal, woodland restoration, wildlife monitoring, bluebird nest box installation, and trail creation/maintenance. Finally, Laudato Si’ Project seeks to get people into nature to become curious and explore its wonders;
McQuaid Jesuit High School – Rochester, New York
The Biodiversity Club and staff worked with members of a bee conservation organization to introduce 2,000 Italian honeybees to a new rooftop beehive at the school. McQuaid students will provide a safe space for the bees, which are facing declining populations;
Saint Bonaventure’s College – Saint John’s, Newfoundland
Grade 3 class in-conjunction with a group of university students, set up a small hydroponic growing station to see what they would be able to grow in a classroom environment. This was in addition to more traditional growing methods that Grade 3’s participate in each year;
St. Bon’s continues to develop it’s on-site garden and compost. Students in all grade levels are engaged in the planting and maintaining of the garden beds. At harvest time each year, the food is given to a local food bank to offer a more nutritious option for those who are in need;
Saint Ignatius College Prep – Chicago, Illinois
Ignatian Values Day Summit on Integral Ecology and Environmental Justice was a day long program with 25 different break-out sessions, both on and off campus throughout Chicago, exploring the themes of the encyclical
School initiative to install refillable water stations and add more robust recycling program;
Sustainability Scope is a weekly PA announcement that provided green tips on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, designed and implemented to be practical, creative and even have a touch of humor;
A photography contest where students were invited to submit photos on how they experienced God in creation throughout their time on Spring break. The winning student got to designate their prize to a local environmental organization;
Saint Ignatius High School – Cleveland, Ohio
Planning Celebration Summit on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi – As an entire school community (of 1500 students and 200 faculty/staff), they will gather for an all-school Eucharist, spend the day taking part informational breakout sessions (with outside speakers as well as teacher/student presentations designed to educate and raise awareness), and conclude with a Mission Rally to celebrate all students who take leadership roles in Faith-Service-Justice initiatives on campus (with a special focus on those connected to themes of encyclical)
Continued transformation of Cafeteria and Dining Hall into an educational and formational space seeking to raise awareness and cultivate the practice of ecological actions (regarding stewardship, food, water, and waste) and the faith convictions of the encyclical that inspire these practices;
As a common rallying point to communicate and celebrate their efforts, St. Ignatius is pursuing the following public recognitions: St. Francis Pledge, and U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School;
There will be an interdisciplinary lab science course offered this coming school year using the Healing Earth Curriculum (from the International Jesuit Ecology Project at Loyola Chicago). This course will involve teachers from the departments of Science, English, and Theology;
Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated and educated school community on recycling;
Engineering course proposed solar panel technology to the school’s Board of Trustees;
Saint Louis University High School – Saint Louis, Missouri
Encyclical was the theme of the fall faculty and staff retreat;
Walsh Jesuit High School – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Working with Summit County Solid Waste as part of the Zero Trash programs over the past five years, Walsh Jesuit has recycled over 30 tons of paper each year. The school has collected organic material for composting and collected all plastic (numbers 1 thru 7) for recycling from the Commons (school lunchroom);
The school won a grant for solar, wind and aquafarming from the G.A.R. Foundation. The students in the AP Environmental Classes are studying different types of solar panels, a 1-kilowatt windmill, and they raising 50 tilapia;
The chemistry department has evaluated and redesigned all science labs to minimize their impact on the environment by following the 12 principles of green chemistry and recently presented the redesigns at the American Chemical Society Conference;
All social justice classes read the selections of the encyclical and wrote a brief response to the Pope’s ideas. They then spent a day discussing the article in class and spent an additional day looking in general at the Catholic Social Teaching’s theme of “Care and concern for God’s creation”;
JESUIT PARISHES & SPIRITUAL MINISTRIES:
Bellarmine Chapel – Cincinnati, Ohio
Worked with Xavier University to establish a teaching team of academics, scientists, social workers, etc., who offered over ten workshops on the encyclical at churches, schools, and other venues across the City, as well as the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice;
Parishioners formed a Healthy Earth Team that has created a community garden, collected over 1-ton of e-recycling, distributed over 70 apple trees and 400 milkweed seed packets, begun launching a monthly Meatless Monday Meetup series, and formed a book group around Naomi Klein’s “This Changes Everything.” The group has engaged over 500 individuals and families in these various efforts;
Garden group has planted six beds with vegetables that will be harvested and shared with the community through Gabriel’s Place, a meal program grounded in providing fresh, local produce to low-income neighbors in the community;
Gesu Parish – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sponsored a presentation by Dr. Jame Schaefer, Ph.D., entitled “Laudato Si: What Catholics should know about the first encyclical dedicated to the human-earth relationship”;
Beginning in late August, 2015, for a period of six weeks, five, small groups of parishioners and staff met to discuss the encyclical;
Published bulletin inserts related to the encyclical and climate/environmental awareness;
Holy Trinity Parish – Washington, D.C.
Hosted an encyclical lecture series that featured numerous nationally-recognized speakers including Cecilia Calvo, Dan Misleh and Fr. Tom Reese, S.J.;
Facilitated numerous opportunities for parishioners to engage in local environmentally and sustainable projects and events in the DC area;
Ignatian Spirituality Center – Seattle, Washington
Hosted a “Laudato Si’ Contemplative Hike” for young adults
St. Agnes Church – San Francisco, California
Co-sponsored Integral Ecology: Concern for Environmental and Economic Justice with other Jesuit institutions in San Francisco;
Laudato Si Reading Group hosted monthly reading group with Bill O’Neil, S.J. to discuss the encyclical;
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Parish – Woodstock, Maryland
Require and encourage recycling of all items possible both for the office and at events at the parish;
Education through bulletin and website as events or issues occur;
Incorporation of Laudato Si and other relevant educational information into adult and youth education programs. Video education and discussion evenings, etc.;
St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish – Baltimore, Maryland
Co-sponsored with neighboring parish The Cry of the Earth, a three-part series with talks by nationally known speakers, followed by audience Q & A to explore issues of climate change and the role a Catholic voice can play in the scientific climate change debate
Home energy workshop offered to teach parishioners at St. Ignatius and other cluster parishes about saving energy in their homes;
Parishioners signed postcards to be presented to state legislators in support of legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish and School – Sacramento, California
School-wide prayer service on the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, with curricular integrations throughout the day;
Four-week educational series on the encyclical presented by Fr. Art Wehr, SJ.
Young adult ministry “street walks” around Sacramento to pick up trash and accompany those who live on the streets;
St. Leo Catholic Church – Tacoma, WA
Initiated a beekeeping program that promotes sustainable beekeeping and hive product development that supports the social business model;
St. Therese Catholic Church – Mooresville, NC
Ten articles published in the parish bulletin summarizing the Encyclical;
Small Groups, especially Christian Life Communities, read and discussed the encyclical;
Parish presentation about the encyclical;
JESUIT SOCIAL MINISTRIES:
Canadian Jesuits International – Toronto, Canada
CJI is excited and challenged by Pope Francis’ encyclical “on care for our common home,” Laudato Si’ (LS);
CJI’s Fall 2015 issue of Mission News, entitled Laudato Si’: Caring for the Earth with the poor, invited one person from each of the three continents where CJI has partnerships – Africa, Asia and Latin America – to reflect on what Laudato Si’ means to the indigenous and poor people of their region;
Centre Justice et Foi – Montreal, Canada
Article published entitled “Laudato si’: vers une écologie radicale” (Relations, mars/avril 2016, p. 33-35)
Ignatius Jesuit Centre – Guelph, Canada
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre encompasses 600 acres of farmland, wetland and woodland, including the Loyola House Retreat and Training Centre, the Ignatius Farm and the Ignatius Old-Growth Forest;
Loyola House offers Ignatian Spirituality retreats and programs for people seeking to connect their lives with God and all creation;
The Ignatius Farm is a model for organic agriculture, Community Shared Agriculture, and the mentoring of organic growers;
The Ignatius Old-Growth Forest is a 500-year project restoring 100 acres of land and offering a beautiful place for people of all ages to connect with the natural world;
Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice – Toronto, Canada
French and English dialogue guide being produced that brings the encyclical to life with photos, cartoons, stories, many quotes and reflections;
Publishing an article entitled, “Open Space, juxtaposing the encyclical with David Korten’s ‘Change the Story, change the future – a living economy for a living Earth’ ”;
La Ferme Berthe-Rousseau – Chemin Mooney, Canada
Right outside of Montreal at La Ferme Berthe-Rousseau, an associate work of the Jesuits’ French Canadian Province, people facing personal challenges in their lives are welcomed. Through community life on the farm and communion with the land – living with residents and visitors, taking care of the animals, harvesting the vegetables – residents can begin to heal;
Social Delegate for the French-Canadian Province of the Society of Jesus – Montreal, Canada
Article in a Montréal secular newspaper (Le Devoir) offering a synthesis of the encyclical the day after its publication (in French);
Editor’s Note: This list is not exhaustive. If your institution has an item to be considered for addition, please e-mailinfo@ignatiansolidarity.net.
About the Society of Jesus in Canada and the United States: Founded in 1540 by Saint Ignatius Loyola, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is the largest order of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church. Jesuit priests and brothers are involved in educational, pastoral and spiritual ministries around the world, practicing a faith that promotes justice. In Canada and the United States, there are 30 Jesuit colleges and 80 pre-secondary and secondary schools with a shared goal of developing competent, compassionate and committed leaders in the service of the Church and society. Jesuits minister in parishes and at retreat houses and serve as chaplains at prisons, hospitals, nursing homes and in the military. In Canada and the U.S., the Jesuits are represented by the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information on the Society of Jesus, visit www.jesuits.org.