Our Mission
To encourage a deeper awareness of our duties to God’s creation and to take action at the individual, state, and national levels with a focus on prayer, energy efficiency, conservation, and advocacy efforts.
From Pope Francis, June 14, 2019
"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."
Upcoming Events
NEW: LAUDATO SI’ ONLINE STUDY SERIES
Update: Due to recent concerns about the security of the Zoom platform, we have updated the invitation to our Sunday Session incorporating the enhanced security features recommended by Zoom and other authorities. This includes "two-factor authentication", meaning you will have to enter both a meeting number and a password in order to enter into the "waiting room". When the meeting begins we will then welcome you into the meeting. These extra steps will help protect your identity and ensure the best possible meeting.
Email Phil Downey and Simone Seym at stmattcreationcareteam@gmail.com to receive the new meeting number and passwords. You will also need to send an email to recive the call-in number and password to phone into the meeting.
Pope Francis has invited Catholic communities around the world to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, May 16 to May 24. He invites us to take an honest look at our progress in the five years since Laudato Si’ was released and to consider the next steps in our “ecological conversion”. In response to Pope Francis’ invitation, the co-chairs of the Creation Care Team, Phil Downey and Simone Seym, will host the Laudato Si’ Online Study Series, a seven-week web-based series on Sundays from 3 to 4pm, starting April 5 and ending May 24 (no session on Easter Sunday).
Schedule: A weekly series in seven parts occurring on Sundays from 3 to 4pm except Easter Sunday. We will start Sunday, April 5 and conclude on Sunday, May 24, the last day of Laudato Si' week!
Curriculum: Our detailed curriculum is in development but will generally track with the chapters of Laudato Si’ (click for online version of encyclical). Preparation at Home: Please read the weekly chapter of Laudato Si’ in advance of each session. This will result in a much richer experience.
- April 5: Introduction to Laudato Si’, Explanation of the Curriculum, Technical instruction how to use ZOOM
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April 12: Easter Sunday, ** no session **
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April 19: Chapter 1: What is Happening to Our Common Home?
- April 26: Chapter 2: The Gospel of Creation
- May 3: Chapter 3: The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis
- May 10: Chapter 4: Integral Ecology
- May 17: Chapter 5: Lines of Approach and Action
- May 24: Chapter 6: Ecological Education and Spirituality
What is ZOOM?
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to virtually meet with others - either by video or audio-only or both, all while conducting live chats. It works best on a laptop with a webcam but can also work on a smart phone. Since 60% of communication is body language, it’s best if participants activate webcams and enable the video. That way we can all see each other. This form of use is free of charge.
Take Action
• Join our team
• Sign the Catholic Climate Declaration (St. Matthew's Parish has!)
• Email Phil Downey & Simone Seym at stmattcreationcareteam@gmail.com for more information.
Creation Care Team at the 2019 AWS Earth Day Clean Up
