Dear First Name,
We are thankful!
As you know, the new political landscape has made our work even more challenging. As a result, we have reached out to you several times since January to give us a hand. As you also know, we have held an end-of-the-fiscal-year fundraising campaign every June. This year we were humbled by the overwhelming response to our appeal. Thanks to generous Covenant supporters, we began the appeal with a $30,000 matching grant. In five short days between June 25th and July 29th, hundreds of supporters answered the call for financial support and set us over our matching grant goal. In fact, the total donations added up to over $64,000! Without your support, we could not carry on this mission on your behalf. So on behalf of our board and our Catholic organizational sponsors and supporters, I say thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you missed the appeal but would like to donate a tax-deductible gift, you still can! It won’t be “matched” but will count toward our yearly fundraising goal of $100,000 from our supporters and friends.
In gratitude,
Dan Misleh
Founding Executive Director
Action of the Month:
Take the St. Francis/Laudato Si’ Pledge
On June 18th, the second anniversary of Pope Francis’ inspiring and transformative encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, the Covenant launched an updated St. Francis/Laudato Si’Pledge. Since its inception in 2009, over 10,000 individuals and families and 75 institutions have taken the St. Francis Pledge. Now, in partnership with the Global Catholic Climate Movement, we embark on an ambitious three-year campaign with the goal of having 12 million Catholics worldwide pledge to live our values by praying, living, and advocating for climate justice. To reach this ambitious global goal, we need you to:
Commit, or recommit to the newly updated St. Francis/Laudato Si’ Pledge!
TAKE THE NEW ST. FRANCIS/LAUDATO SI’ PLEDGE
From St. Francis to Pope Francis: By taking the updated St. Francis/Laudato Si’ Pledge you commit/recommit to put Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and St. Francis of Assisi’s creation care values into action by:
1) Praying with and for creation.
2) Living more simply by lowering your family’s, parish’s, religious community’s carbon footprint.
3) Advocating to protect our common home.
Whether you are committing anew or recommitting to the NEW St. Francis/Laudato Si’ Pledge, help us and the Global Catholic Climate Movement reach this goal. Please encourage others to sign the Pledge! Share the Pledge with family, friends, your parish, etc.
Faithful Action On Climate Change
Feast of St. Francis 2017: Befriend the Wolf
To help you celebrate the Feast of St. Francis this fall (on or around October 4), the Covenant will offer a Blessing of the Animals liturgy and a separate 90-minute educational program for use in your parishes, schools, and religious communities. Register now! We will send an email to download the program when it’s available in mid-August.
Securing Our Future in the Midst of Climate Change
Did you miss the June webinar, “Securing Our Future in the Midst of Climate Change”? No worries! You can watch it here! Hear from Eric Garduno, Senior Policy and Legislative Specialist at Catholic Relief Services and from Brigadier General Gerald Galloway, USA (Ret) and Advisory Board member of the Climate and Security Institute as they explore international security issues and climate change.
Catholics Leading the Way
Web of Life "Virtual Retreat"
The Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic led a 10-day eco-scientific-spiritual virtual retreat program in the heart of Panama’s tropical forest during late June. National Catholic Reporter’s Global Sisters Report lets you explore the Web of Life and join this “virtual retreat” from your home, office, or anywhere/anytime you choose!
You'll see the rich biodiversity of Panama, examine threats to our planet in a new way, and gain spiritual nourishment through a series of blogs, photo galleries and videos.
St. Leo University Professors Tackle Laudato Si’ and Climate Change
We invite you to listen to this radio interview featuring St. Leo University Professors Stephen Okey (Theology) and Christopher J. Miller (Biology and Ecology) speaking on Laudato Si’ and the science of climate change.
Columban Weekly Reflection
Covenant partner, the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, published a beautiful reflection, written by Ruth Coyne, Former Ignatian Volunteer on the message of responsibility inLaudato Si’. Read it here.
GCCM Releases Two Videos
Continuing the Catholic Church’s response to the Trump administration’s plan to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, our partner, the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) coordinated a powerful video interview with Cardinal Ribat, President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops of Oceania, in front of Trump Tower with Fr. James Martin S.J.
In addition, GCCM released this video of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle calling on all Catholics to sign the St. Francis/Laudato Si’ Pledge.
Please share the videos with your networks!
Employment Opportunity in DC Area
Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs: is seeking a Projects Manager, Initiative on Catholic Social Thought & Public Life. For more information and to apply, go here.