Laudato Si’ Quote

75. A spirituality which forgets God as all-powerful and Creator is not acceptable. That is how we end up worshipping earthly powers, or ourselves usurping the place of God, even to the point of claiming an unlimited right to trample his creation underfoot. The best way to restore men and women to their rightful place, putting an end to their claim to absolute dominion over the earth, is to speak once more of the figure of a Father who creates and who alone owns the world. Otherwise, human beings will always try to impose their own laws and interests on reality.

76. In the Judaeo-Christian tradition, the word “creation” has a broader meaning than “nature”, for it has to do with God’s loving plan in which every creature has its own value and significance. Nature is usually seen as a system which can be studied, understood and controlled, whereas creation can only be understood as a gift from the outstretched hand of the Father of all, and as a reality illuminated by the love which calls us together into universal communion.

Reflection: “Nature…can be studied, understood and controlled, whereas creation can only be understood as a gift from the outstretched hand of God…illuminated by the love which calls us together into universal communion.” How is this call into universal communion linked to the oneness we are called to? How wide and expansive is this oneness in your mind? In your heart?

Action: View this video of the for an opportunity to thank God for creation, and make a choice this week to love, protect, and promote creation in daily decisions. Share what you learn or do with someone else. 

Prayer for Ukraine and for Peace

Dismantling Racism

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th, African American Emancipation Day. It is celebrated this year on Monday, June 20th, now a Federal holiday. Here’s a very short video that gives the basics. Dismantling racism is hard work, and means a lot more than creating a national holiday. Read here how wrong it can go when we make choices that don’t engage others at the corporate level. Be an advocate for change, and tell others you know about Juneteenth and why this celebration matters!

View this video “After Buffalo, After Uvalde, After Tulsa: Broken Hearts, Broken Nation, Faithful Action” from the Georgetown Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, featuring speakers Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller (Archbishop of San Antonio which includes Uvalde), Sr. Mary Haddad RSM (Catholic Health Association), Sr. Judy Byron, O.P. (leader in responsible corporate investment), Rhina Guidos (Catholic News Service), and Fr. Bryan Massingale (Fordham University). It is worth every minute of the hour.

Climate Change

Read about Dr. Benjamin Zaitchik, professor and climate scientist at Johns Hopkins, who studies the effects of extreme weather and resilient responses, especially in Baltimore. “Zaitchik said the fact that heat waves and urban heat islands impacted economically-depressed neighborhoods more severely led him to shift his focus to the environmental justice impacts of extreme weather events.” Hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor in this article. 
 
All change begins with one small step. Commit yourself to reading the Laudato Si’ reflection each week. One paragraph at a time you can stop and reflect on what we are all called to as a Laudato Si’ community!

Human Trafficking

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a national CyberTipline where parents, family members, teachers, professionals can report online sexual exploitation. Read more about what online sexploitation is here.  If you’re a victim of child sexual exploitation on the internet or are aware of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM), sex trafficking or other crimes against children online, please make a report at www.CyberTipline.org or call NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Partnership with Haiti and Justice for Immigrants and Dismantling Racism 

Desperation for basic necessities, for survival, leads to desperate measures to attain them. Haitian migrants are taking the very risky trip across the waters to seek safety. Read here about a boat with two dozen Haitians on board that disappeared; “people are going missing and no one is paying attention.” Read here about Haitians who have been consistently expelled from the southern border through Title 42, and read here an LA Times article from this week about Haitians in Tijuana migrant camps and the obstacles and dangers they face.

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