The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor
Dear Collegians, Alumni and Friends:
The National Catholic Student Coalition would like to announce its support of and encouragement for the Catholic Climate Covenant: The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. In anticipation of the Feast of St. Francis (October 4), the NCSC Executive Board would like to extend an invitation to you and your campus ministries to renew interest and initiate action on the Covenant.
As the future of our planet unfolds, we as college students and campus ministers need to take responsibility for the “care of creation.” St. Francis tells us to, ”Keep trying to do what is necessary, then what's possible and suddenly you're doing the impossible." In this chaotic world of violence and vital developmental issues it may seem like we are a tiny drop in the bucket, but as Catholic individuals we have the ability to create change.
Today the great gift of God’s Creation is exposed to serious dangers and lifestyles which can degrade it. Environmental pollution is making particularly unsustainable the lives of the poor of the world … we must pledge ourselves to take care of creation and to share its resources in solidarity. — Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI encourages Catholic parishioners and students to embrace climate change solutions that are in line with Catholic social teachings. By looking towards the values of St. Francis we can embody within us stewardship in caring for God’s creations and solidarity in our response towards those less fortunate than ourselves.
How can you help?
Linked from this page is a press release, postcard, and toolkit. Reading and sharing the press release will help you and your community learn more about the Catholic Climate Covenant.
The postcard is being distributed to all Catholic parishes, secondary and elementary school principals, all youth ministry directors, college campus ministry directors and all U.S. Bishops. Consider writing to your bishop and telling him that the Covenant initiative is important to you. Then, consider telling your campus minister and your fellow parishioners that it is important to you too. And as a final touch, consider posting it on your Facebook and Twitter pages. Social networking is an amazing way to distribute information, so use it!
The toolkit can be used by Catholic college and university students as a resource in living out the words of Genesis 2:15, to “cultivate and care for” God’s creation. Colleges and universities can also become a Catholic Climate Covenant Partner to publicly affirm their support of this mission.
After you’ve promoted the Covenant and reviewed the press release, postcard, and toolkit, visit http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org for resources and action ideas to share with your friends, campus ministry and your community. Remember that we are the church and that our future depends on our own actions.
Thank you for your ongoing support of NCSC and its partners!
Christ’s peace,
Fiona Corner
Western Region Chairperson
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Joe Ewing
NCSC National Chairperson
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Resources
Postcard - Catholic Climate Covenant
Home Page - Catholic Climate Covenant
Press Release - Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration
Toolkit - Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration
Saint Francis Pledge to Protect Creation and the Poor
Pray and reflect on the duty to care for God’s creation and for the poor and vulnerable.
Learn about and educate others on the moral dimensions of climate change.
Assess our participation – as individuals and organizations in contributing to climate change.
Act to change our choices and behaviors contributing to climate change.
Advocate Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact the poor and vulnerable.
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