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To: Clergy, parish staff, directors of parish communications, social action ministry leaders and bulletin/website editors
From: Kat Doyle, Director of Justice and Peace Ministries; Office of Life, Dignity and Justice
Pope Francis invites us to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week 2020 from May 16-24, a nine-day global campaign celebrating the theme: “Everything is Connected.”
We are in a moment of crisis in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. As new economies and new ways of caring for the most vulnerable—including our planet—arise, we have a critical opportunity to come together to ensure the new way of life is better than what came before. Laudato Si’ teaches us how to create a more just and sustainable world together.
This year, during Laudato Si’ Week, Archbishop Hartmayer will celebrate an archdiocesan Green Mass. It will be livestreamed from the chancery chapel at noon on Wednesday, May 20. In addition to the archdiocesan Green Mass, we are encouraging all parishes to identify one of their own Masses as a Green Mass, celebrating all those in their parish who work in green jobs, care for the environment, support sustainability and answer the call as Catholics to live as good stewards of our planet.
INTRODUCING THE LAUDATO SI’ INITIATIVE 2020-2025
Vision and Mission Statements
Our vision is for the Archdiocese of Atlanta to be the trusted leader for integral ecology; modeling fully integrated social, environmental and economic justice and sustainability.
Our mission is to build greater solidarity among north Georgia Catholics so that we may more fully hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, and take urgent and impactful action to weave together social, environmental and economic justice and sustainability into our Catholic way of life.
Description
The Archdiocese of Atlanta Laudato Si’ Initiative (LSI) is a five-year effort based on the concept of integral ecology. Justice and Peace Ministries is leading this effort, with the support of our bishops and as a support to the archdiocesan pastoral plan. Sustainability Coordinators, numerous Creation Care Teams, an Archdiocesan Creation Care Team, a Sustainability Advisory Roundtable and our Catholic faithful will make this happen. By helping parishes, missions and schools to assess facilities; prioritize, plan and implement improvements; and offer education and supporting programs, the LSI will directly address the challenges put forth in Laudato Si’.
To fulfill our mission, we will take urgent action to weave social, environmental and economic justice and sustainability into our Catholic way of life. It focuses on a conversion of hearts, minds and behaviors by the renewing and strengthening of spiritual, social, environmental and economic awareness.
Leonard Robinson (Sustainability Strategist) and Brian Savoie (Sustainability Program Coordinator), are working part-time as servant-leaders under my direction. Archbishop Hartmayer, along with Auxiliary Bishops Konzen and Shlesinger, fully support this effort. An archdiocesan-level Sustainability Committee and Creation Care Team will provide advice to LSI program leaders and will help in acquiring technical, educational and financial resources. Expanding on the passion and experience of existing Creation Care Teams, the Archdiocese of Atlanta is positioned to lead and support initiatives in parishes, missions and schools across northeast Georgia.
Please consider posting this information on your website and in any electronic communications. Additional information on Laudato Si’ Week, Green Mass resources, the Laudato Si’ Initiative and Creation Care Ministry can be found at https://archatl.com/ministries-services/justice-and-peace-ministries/issues/care-for-creation/