Caring for Our Common Home (Laudato Si)
Residents and Sisters met in their first “Laudato Si Circle” on Oct. 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi which marked the end of the annual “Season of Creation” requested by Pope Francis five years ago when he issued his encyclical named Laudato Si which means “All Creation, Praise the Lord!” This is the very first encyclical in history written on the environment – “Care of Creation and our Common Home”.
Ecological improvements in the area of conservation were discussed – these included installation of new windows to conserve heat and air conditioning, installation of new Co-Gen Units in the nursing home to assure efficient functioning of the heat/air systems, installation of temperature control drapes in all rooms, adopting recycling program, use of eco-friendly chemicals, and a variety of outdoor improvements as removal of bad trees and planting of new ones, redesigning our gardens and presently designing a garden in honor of Blessed Michael McGivney, repaving of black tops and walkways for safety purposes as well as making it easy for nature lovers to navigate in order to admire creation on our grounds.
We introduced an 8 Step Action Platform Program specific to Residents and staff of our Home and plan to renew this Platform often and inclusive of suggested actions that will be offered by members of our Laudato Si Circle. It was explained that the goal of the Action Platform is to join everyone on our planet to help to assure sustainability in our world for our benefit as well as that of future generations thus doing our part adhering to the goals of Laudato Si – to praise God through all creation and to show loving concern for our brothers and sisters.
It has reported by the Laudato Si Movement that thousands of people from 104 countries participated in Care of Creation events during the 2021 Season of Creation. They stated that “every minute of the day around the world-peoples came together in solidarity for our common home.”
Our Circle concluded with the showing of a video reflection “A World of Gratitude” which may be found on YouTube for re-viewing.
Caring for Our Common Home