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care for creation - Laudato Si'
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Fall 2026 Bulletin insert
now available
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Let us help promote your upcoming Event
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Calendar of Events
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Saturday, October 3, 10:00 AMThe Agape lay Catholic community invites you to its 38th Annual Feast of St. Francis Celebration on Saturday, October 3, in Hardwick, MA. The gathering will celebrate the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis and feature keynote speaker Shane Claiborne, with an introduction by Fr. Brent Otto, SJ. The day will focus on Gospel values, Catholic Social Teaching, peace, care for creation, and solidarity with immigrants. The event is free, with a suggested donation, and will take place rain or shine.Read More
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Saturday, October 3, 10:00 AMBlessing of the Animals — Join Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Westfield, MA, to honor St. Francis of Assisi and celebrate the special bond between people, animals, and all of God’s creation.Read More
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Friday, October 9The wisdom and guidance we need for this time of tragic ecological and political collapse will not be found in the dominant ways of thinking. Over fifty years ago, Thomas Berry urged us to turn and face these challenges by pointing to the root cause of the problem, “We are talking only to ourselves. We are not talking to the rivers, we are not listening to the wind and stars. We have broken the great conversation.”Read More
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Safeground Fund
2026 Grant ApplicationFocus: Social Inclusion, Needs of the Poor and MarginalizedThe Safeground Fund seeks to carry out the mission of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. In keeping with its primary goals, the fund supports ecological initiatives that care for all of creation by protecting soil and water, promoting health, and fostering biodiversity.
The fund also seeks to enhance the quality of human life and nurture the bonds of society through initiatives that promote social inclusion and address the needs of the poor, disenfranchised, and marginalized.
In essence, the fund seeks to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
If your organization or initiative shares this vision and is working to care for creation, strengthen communities, and serve those most in need, we invite you to apply for support from the Safeground Fund.
Grant Application Submission Deadline: October 4, 2026
Award Announcement: December 1, 2026
Submit completed applications or questions to:
Bernadette Giblin
Care of Creation Committee
[email protected]
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Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home
Laudato Si’ is the second encyclical of Pope Francis, published in 2015. It focuses on environmental issues, urging everyone—Catholics and non-Catholics alike—to take responsibility for the care of our planet, which Pope Francis refers to as "our common home."
Key Themes of Laudato Si’- Integral Ecology
- Laudato Si’ emphasizes that everything in the world is interconnected. Human life, environmental health, and social justice are inseparably linked. The encyclical calls for an "integral ecology" that respects both human dignity and the natural world.
- The Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor
- Pope Francis highlights that the poor are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation. The encyclical stresses that addressing environmental problems must go hand in hand with addressing poverty and inequality.
- Environmental Degradation
- The encyclical points to pollution, deforestation, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the excessive exploitation of natural resources as urgent global crises. Pope Francis calls for sustainable practices to protect the environment.
- The Role of Humanity
- Humanity’s relationship with nature is explored in depth, with an emphasis on the need for stewardship rather than domination. The document encourages individuals to shift from consumerism to sustainable living, calling for a cultural and spiritual conversion.
- Climate Change
- Laudato Si’ places significant importance on the reality of climate change, identifying it as one of the greatest challenges of our time. Pope Francis urges political leaders, corporations, and individuals to take urgent action to mitigate its effects.
- Intergenerational Responsibility
- A strong theme in the encyclical is responsibility to future generations. Pope Francis calls for urgent action to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and sustainable planet.
- Dialogue and Global Solidarity
- The encyclical encourages open dialogue among all sectors of society—religious, scientific, political, and economic—to find solutions to environmental crises. This includes collaboration across national borders for the common good.
- Integral Ecology
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