Care for Creation Green Team

Our Mission

To encourage a deeper awareness of our duties to God’s creation and to take action at the individual, state, national and global level with a focus on prayer, ecological conversion, energy efficiency, conservation, and advocacy efforts.

Save the Date!

The St. Matthew’s Creation Care Green Team will celebrate the Season of Creation with an evening of paddling on the beautiful Anacostia River. A river guide from the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) will lead us on a scenic educational tour. The Anacostia has changed dramatically over the last 400 years – from a place of quiet natural abundance and American Indian settlements to a colonial seaport and bustling corridor in the nation’s capital. Exploring the Anacostia River by paddling offers a way to get to know the river and its resources.

We will leave from the canoe landing at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg, MD 20710) at 10am. We’ll be posting a registration link soon.

From Pope Francis

"Dear friends, time is running out! Deliberations must go beyond mere exploration of what can be done, and concentrate on what needs to be done, starting today. We do not have the luxury of waiting for others to step forward, or of prioritizing short-term economic benefits. The climate crisis requires 'our decisive action, here and now' (Laudato Si’, 161) and the Church is fully committed to playing her part."

Read the MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION.

Monthly Green Team Meetings on Zoom

  • Join us monthly to discuss projects and help plan activities that promote the Laudato Si' mission within our parish and beyond. Email the Co-chairs, Phil Downey and Simone Seym, for more information. 
  • Join us, virtually once a month, 6-7pm every third Thursday.
  • The link for the recurring meeting is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86181574570; Meeting ID: 861 8157 4570; call in: 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Earth Day 2025!

In this Jubilee Year of renewal and hope, the Creation Care Green Team will again join the annual Earth Day Clean-up sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society for the benefit of all living in its watershed and for future generations. This event is a chance for us to care for the environment, reflecting the spirit of renewal and stewardship that the Jubilee calls us to embrace.

The Team from St. Matthew's. Click on image for Earth Day 2025 details.

Archdiocese of Washington - Laudato Si' Action Plan 

On the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si’ Cardinal Gregory announced the release of the Archdiocese of Washington (ADW) Laudato Si' Action Plan, which will provide guidance to parishes and the faithful to live out the tenets of Laudato Si'. (above, Catholic Standard photo / Mihoko Owada) The Holy See’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development document on Laudato Si' serves as the outline for the ADW Laudato Si’ Action Plan.  Visit the ADW website to learn more.

Buy Clean Renewable Power 

The Creation Care Team invites you to “go green” by purchasing your electricity from renewable sources. Check out the options for residents of DC, MD or No.VA, summarized in Buy Clean Renewable Power.

Advocacy

Support faith-informed climate policy by visiting the following sites to learn more:
Laudato Si’ Movement and the Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty
Laudato Si’ Movement
Catholic Climate Covenant
Maryland Catholics for our Common Home
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (VA)
Interfaith Power & Light (DC, MD, and NoVA)
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake

Take Action

Past Activities

Contact

Email the Co-chairs, Phil Downey and Simone Seym, for more information.

Check out the video of our 2021 Earth Day Green Team Clean-up on Facebook.

Members and Friends of the Creation Care GREEN Team at the 2021 AWS Earth Day Clean-up