8/31/25 Laudato Si’ Parish Recognition
In honor of the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si, and the beginning of the Season of Creation, we would like to honor parishes, that, through their own initiative, have supported the Laudato Si’ Action Plan.
A Response to Cry of the Earth
St. Simon Parish and School
Ecological Economics
Santa Teresa Church
Ecological Education
Catholic Scouting Organization
Community Engagement and Advocacy
Saint John Vianney Parish
A Response to the Cry of the Poor
St. Tomas Aquinas and St. Victor’s
Sustainable Lifestyle
Holy Korean Martyrs Church
Ecological Spirituality
Church of Ascension
Descriptions of Recognitions
A Response to Cry of the Earth
In Response to Cry for the Earth we are called to protect our common home for the well- being of all, as we equitably address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability. Our primary focus is on reducing fossil fuel use and using the land productively.
A Response to the Cry of the Poor
In Response to the Cry of the Poor we are called to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend human life and address the challenges facing the global community. This goal is all-encompassing – from our diocesan-wide efforts to feed the hungry and provide food to families in need, our commitment to Right to Life and Restorative Justice, our global efforts to build homes in Tijuana, to provide a safe haven to the interfaith Car Park Caravan, showers for the homeless, backpacks and school supplies, or gifts at Christmas. This goal is at the heart of what we do as a Diocese – attending to those in need. In surveying the parishes, we found that our Diocese supports those who suffer from food insecurity. From the parishes that collect food for those with food pantries to those that serve hot meals to the homeless, the parishes are committed to serving the 250,000 food-insecure people in our geographic area.
Ecological Economics
Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a subsystem of human society and questions the value we attribute to the products and services we use in relation to the health of the earth.
Sustainable Lifestyle
The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of promoting care in the use of people, resources, and energy. It is focused on changing our behaviors and mindset to align with the message of Laudato Si’. The concept is “less is more”.
Ecological Education
Ecological Education is about re-thinking and re-designing communication, education, and practices in the spirit of integral ecology to foster ecological and transformative action.
Ecological Spirituality
Ecological Spirituality is rooted in spending more time experiencing the outdoors to strengthen and deepen our commitment to nature. It causes us to reflect spiritually on God’s creation.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
Community Engagement and Advocacy is the ability for communities to work together within their families, schools, churches, and neighborhood groups to address environmental concerns and promote advocacy campaigns.
September is Season of Creation Month
Celebrate Season of Creation Month
- More events will be provided.
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Dates: The Season of Creation always spans from September 1st (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to October 4th (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi).
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Theme: The 2025 theme, “Peace with Creation,” focuses on the interconnectedness of peace, justice, and the well-being of the planet.
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Symbol: The symbol for the Season of Creation 2025 is a dove carrying an olive branch, signifying the restoration of peace within creation, according to the Episcopal News Service.
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Call to Action: The Season of Creation encourages Christians to engage in actions of prayer, preaching, service, and solidarity to address the ecological crisis and work towards a more just and sustainable world, according to the Catholic Health Association.
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Key Events: The Season of Creation often includes an opening prayer service with global faith leaders on September 1st and a closing event with youth voices on October 4th.
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Resources: Various resources, including liturgical materials, advocacy tools, and action guides, are available on the Season of Creation website to support participation in the celebration.
Stewards of Our Common Home
Laudate Deum
Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortations – A follow up Document by the Pope after Laudato Sí.
Laudato Si’
The encyclical Laudato Si’ is considered part of the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. Although there are many previous statements by popes and bishops on the question of our place in creation, this is the first social encyclical in the Catholic Church to address the complex social and ecological crisis in a direct and specific way. quoted from CAFOD – Laudato Si’ explained (cafod.org.uk)
Laudato Si’ Platform
Bishop Cantú on Laudato si’ Platform
- Bishop’s Message on Laudato Si’ Action Platform
- Statement from Bishop Cantú: On this Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, I call your attention to an issue that has been a growing concern for the Church for decades and which Pope Francis has more recently highlighted, calling us to both reflection and action. This past June we marked the fourth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, in which he invited all persons to care for “our common home,” the planet God created for humanity to inhabit. Pope Francis expressed the need for an “ecological conversion” — that living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue, to a Christian life (LS 217). All Christian communities have an important role to play in ecological education (LS 214). Full Statement.
- Laudato Si’ Reflection 2022
Enroll into the Laudato si’ Platform
Laudato Si’ – Resources
Action Plan and Action Report
Reflection (Study)
- Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis Laudato Sí, 2015
- Letter from California Bishops, 2019 English | Spanish
- The Emmaus Walk – A Response to Living out Laudato Si (PowerPoint)
Communion (Teach)
Resources for Parishes
- Laudato Si – Schedule of Activities May16-24
- Laudato Si’ Study Guide
- Laudato Si’ 1-pager
- Liturgy and Preaching resources
- Querida Amazonia Study Guide
- Social Media Templates and Logos
- Laudato Si PDF Postcards | English & Spanish
- Spanish “Care for God’s Creation Discussion Guide“
- Care for Creation in Action
Resources for Teachers and Catechists
- Laudato Si Video for Elementary School Children
- Laudato Si Video for High School Students
- Video children’s book Drop by Drop on access to water
Mission (Act)
Season of Creation
To hope and act with Creation
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for Creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth.
We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it. This year, the theme for the season is “To hope and act with Creation”. Amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, many are beginning to despair and suffer from eco-anxiety. As people of faith we are called to lift the hope inspired by our faith, the hope of the resurrection. This is not a hope without action but one embodied in concrete actions of prayer and preaching, service and solidarity. – seasonofcreation.org
SEASON OF CREATION
In the letter of Paul the apostle to the Romans, the biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:22). Francis of Assisi understood this when he referred to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of Creatures. The times we live in show that we are not relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used.
And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life springs forth.
Season of Creation Events
SEASON OF CREATION EVENTS
Saturday September – California Coastal Cleanup Day.
- Register with the CA Coastal Commission and participate in the cleanup of a local waterway.
Saturday September from 9AM – 12PM Season of Creation Mass & Reception Saturday,. St. Thomas of Canterbury
- Learn how parishes and organizations in the diocese are working on the goals of the Laudato si’ Action Platform. Please register
Season of Creation
SEASON OF CREATION
Season of Creation – ecumenical
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. About – Season of Creation
“This Season of Creation will be an opportunity to pray, reflect and act together as the People of God for our common home. Like tributaries joining forces to become a mighty river, the ecumenical family will come together on a synodal path of care for our common home through justice and peace.”
– Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Pope announcements
Past Announcements:
Creation Day 2023 Message of Pope Francis for Creation Day 2023 – Laudato Si’ Movement (laudatosimovement.org)
The Catholic Church as part of this ecumenical movement/celebration
- Message of Pope Francis for Creation Day 2023 – Laudato Si’ Movement (laudatosimovement.org)
Care of Creation Video Resources
Season of Creation:
Earth on your Plate presentation
Laudato Si’:
From Vision to Practice
