Dear First Name,
I dread this time of year when our national identity as wasteful consumers shifts into hyper-drive: the TV ads, the storefronts, the craziness of Black Friday. I’ve nothing against gift-giving or for companies making a profit. But it seems to me that this over-consumption is symptomatic of a much larger problem: that of our core relationships including with our planet.
There remains so much apathy towards our Common Home. Too many have yet to truly connect the demands of our faith with care for Creation and the poor. Let’s each consider how this Christmas might be different. It must start with prayer and an honest assessment of our priorities. And it must include time to examine the quality of three integrated relationships for an authentic Christian life: with God, with one another, and with our earth. Let us together make this holiday season one where we shift our focus to what truly matters.
In peace,
Dan Misleh
Founding Executive Director
Action of the Month:
Support US Funding and Participation in the Global Effort to Address Climate Change
Please write your legislator, asking her or him to support Congressional funding of $10m for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Funding for these agencies is critical for continued international cooperation on climate change.
The Trump Administration has sought to eliminate our nation’s funding contribution of $10m to the UNFCCC and IPCC within the federal budget. The fate of this contribution is in the hands of Congress. The Senate has voted to reinstate this funding, which the U.S. has been providing since 1992. The Senate and House are deliberating on the issue this week. NOW is the time to urge your legislator to support the Senate’s $10m allocation to fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC).
Faithful Action On Climate Change
Heads up! Giving Tuesday is November 28th
Catholic Climate Covenant will participate in Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving. We hope you will keep us in mind as you plan your year-end giving. Be on the lookout for emails and social media posts near and on that date. When you support the work of Catholic Climate Covenant, you help amplify the vital voice of the Catholic Church to educate, inspire, and mobilize on one of the most critical issues facing humanity and our common home.
Catholic Energies is Launched
Developed to complement the Catholic Climate Covenant's education and advocacy work, Catholic Energies is ready to help you, your parish, school, and all Catholic facilities to reduce energy consumption and be faithful witnesses to our Catholic values. Learn more in this webinar and article. Getting started with Catholic Energies is simple: completing a one-page application and submitting your utility bills is all it takes to get a free audit for your facility. Imagine all the good your organization can do by spending less on energy and redirecting the savings to other mission-related activities.
Practical and Proven Ways to Inspire Creation Care in your Community
Are you curious to learn how you might inspire friends and colleagues in your Catholic dioceses, schools, and parishes to care for creation and join your efforts? Please join us on Tuesday November 14th at 1:00 pm (eastern) for a webinar to hear from representatives from the Dioceses of Toledo (OH) and Burlington (VT), as well as Catholic Relief Services, on how you can energize your communities to gather, learn, and act together to care for creation.
Faith and Science Responses to Storms, Wildfires, and Climate Change Webinar Recording
On November 2nd, Dr. Alan Betts (Atmospheric Scientist), Liz Disco-Shearer (St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services), and Natalie Wood (Catholic Charities of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese) presented on how to respond to the attribution question "Is climate change to blame for the recent hurricanes and wildfires? and how Catholic Church agencies are responding to the needs of communities affected by climate disasters. Watch the webinar here.
Earth Day 2018
Yes, it’s time to start thinking of Earth Day 2018 [April 22nd]. Next year’s Earth Day program will be available in mid to late February. Taking inspiration from Pope Francis, we are focusing on counteracting the “throwaway culture” that permeates our societies. Join us and celebrate Earth Day with a one-hour educational program and the beginning of a Reduce Waste-Grow Community Challenge. Register now to receive the free Earth Day resource in your inbox as soon as it is available next February.
Catholics Leading the Way
Pope Addresses Climate Change Impacts and Water Issues
In the message to the “Water and Climate: Meeting the Great Rivers of the World” event, Pope Francis expressed his hope that “the threat posed by climate change to our brothers and sisters in the most vulnerable countries can find timely and effective responses.” Read more about the Vatican’s message on climate and water issues here.
NCR: Planet, People Take Back Seat to Business Since Election
National Catholic Reporter article focuses on how Covenant partners weigh in on President Trump's dangerous rollbacks of environmental regulations.
COP23 Prayer Resources
Our partner, Global Catholic Climate Movement has produced a remarkable rresouce for use during the COP 23 meeting in Bonn (Nov. 6-Nov. 17th). During COP 23, climate negotiators will craft a “rule book” to complement the Paris Climate Agreement framework. GCCM is shining the light of compassion on those who urgently need it…. our vulnerable brothers and sisters on the frontlines of climate change.
Download the prayer guide to receive:
- Prayers and local news from the front lines of climate change
- Church teaching on creation, migration, and more
- Timeline of the Paris agreement (and where we go next!)
*Note that November 9th is dedicated to praying for the United States.
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering 2018: Registration is Open!
Next February, CSMG 2018 will highlight the inspiring work of Catholic leaders from around the country and explore the opportunities to respond to Pope Francis’ call to go out to the peripheries as missionary disciples and promote love and unity that leads to thriving neighborhoods and communities. Catholic Climate Covenant will host a workshop and have a table in the exhibit area.Get info and register here. NOTE: In order to develop leaders from diverse Catholic communities for ministry in the Church, partial scholarships are being made available to attend CSMG as part of the CSMG Diversity Outreach Initiative.
Caritas International World Food Statement
Please check out Caritas Internationlis' World Food Day (Oct. 12th)statement highlighting migration and its connections to food, human dignity, and climate change.
Healing Earth Recognized by Vatican
Congratulations to The Jesuit Higher Education Community for receiving the Vatican’s Expanded Reason Award for its Healing Earthproject. Healing Earth is a free online e-textbook in environmental science that integrates ethics, spirituality and a call to action; it animates Pope Francis’s Laudato Si through the Ignatian Pedagogy Paradigm.
AJCU Ecology Educators Produces Reflective Narratives on Climate Change
Following an initial meeting in the spring of 2017, The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) published a set of resources of individual sustainability stories and experiences, accounts and recollections. Read them here.
New Position of Sustainability Director at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
An exciting opportunity to shape sustainability issues at Mount Mercy University. Check it out here.