Action Ideas

Actions to advance care for Earth and Laudato Si’ are happening all around us.

As “Caring for Earth, Caring for You” is an area focus of Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14 is a perfect time to reinforce what you are already doing or launch something new. If you are seeking ideas to foster better care for our planet or increase understanding of the need to preserve our common home, here are some ideas.

If your congregation initiates such an action for Catholic Sisters Week—or is already engaged in sustainability initiatives—be sure to post your activity or event on our events calendar. Sign up here to receive Catholic Sisters Week notifications and alerts.

Or, consider other local issues that impact where Sisters live and minister. Immigration issues are inextricably linked with environmental devastation and resulting forced migration. Food Insecurity is a problem in many communities in the United States.

Public Witness

• Billboards or an advertising campaign can expand your voice and impact. Partner with other congregations or across geographic regions, e.g., “Catholic sisters care for the earth because we care for you!”.
• Prepare a joint statement to use as public witness: go to the county steps, or a politician’s offices or a street corner.
• Sisters all wear a green ribbon during Catholic Sisters Week to engage others about Laudato Si’.
• Use social media to advance Laudato Si’.
• Engage in public witness in support of immigrants or for an organization that works on behalf of immigrants. 
• Plan a letter writing gathering or host a letter campaign and let public officials know what policies you support or challenge.
• Public witness to food insecurity by collecting food/funds for food banks and other organizations that work to counter food insecurity.
• Hold a “Meatless Monday” activity coupled with an educational initiative illuminating what forgoing meat can mean for food insecurity and in the animal kingdom; donate funds saved by going without meat to organizations that work against food insecurity or on behalf of animal welfare.

Education

• Take the care for Earth message to churches, ministry sites and places of prayer and insert Laudato Si’ into the day.
• Use social media as an educational tool for care for Earth and Laudato Si’.
• Launch care for Earth educational initiatives in schools and via Zoom.
• Focus educational effort on forced migration caused by ecological devastation and global warming.
• Educate on the positive impact of one meatless meal per week.
• Educate Catholics about the call from Pope Francis on behalf of the Church to all of us to engage in the work of caring for Earth.
• Engage sisters’ partners, parishes and other collaborators on related issues including indigenous peoples, food insecurity, and neighborhood cleanup.

Catholic Sisters Week is a project of Communicators for Women Religious, a professional organization of communicators within religious congregations of women. CWR members promote an understanding of women religious, enhance their image and advance their mission.