Care of Creation

For many years, the Catholic Church proclaimed St. Francis of Assisi as the patron of ecology. All creation spoke to him of God, its origin and its ultimate goal.  St. Francis showed reverence for all creation and joined with it in singing praise to God.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have developed "The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor". By taking the pledge a person commits to simplify one's lifestyle in response to climate changes that impact everyone, and especially those who are poor.

As a Franciscan community we have take the Pledge, thus committing ourselves to live more sustainably. We choose to meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What You Can Do

Rampant use of fossil fuel, deforestation, shrinking water supplies, melting ice caps, and vanishing species are sounding an alarm we all need to heed in order to protect the earth.  The following actions can mitigate the effects of climate change:

• Lower Home Energy Consumption to help reduce the greenhouse gases that increase climate change consequences.
• Eat a Greater Proportion of Locally Grown Food (reducing air pollution from transporting food) or of Fair Trade Food (so that farmers get a living wage for their work).
• Practice Recycling and Other Aspects of Waste Reduction.
• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by one's transportation choices.
• Use Natural Products rather than toxic products for cleaning and household chores and personal uses.

You can join us in taking the St. Francis Pledge to honor God's creation and serve the poor in these ways:

1. PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God's creation and protect the vulnerable;
2. LEARN and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change
3. ASSESS how each of us is contributing to climate change;
4. ACT to change our choices and behaviors contributing to climate change and;
5. ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change decisions, especially as they impact the poor and vulnerable.