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Take the First Step and Don’t Leave a Footprint!

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Earth Day is in a couple of weeks and as a Franciscan organization we are looking forward to celebrating!

With a new Pope expressing the urgent need of our attention to protecting the earth, a renewed push for environmental sustainability has rattled the religious world.  Search “catholic earth day” on Google and you will receive a generous amount of information and resources.  So much information that it might be hard deciding where to start.

We suggest starting with our favorite saint.  St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology, is one of the most well-known saints to inspire preservation and respect for God’s creation.  Catholic Climate Covenant, an organization dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint, has used St. Francis as the guide to leading our steps toward “protecting God’s Creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who face the harshest impacts of global climate change.”

By taking the St. Francis Pledge, one commits to praying, learning, assessing, acting and advocating for the care of creation.  You will receive emails with updates on campaigns, Catholic news, and events in your area.

Domestic Volunteer Anna Robinson took the pledge back in the fall of 2012.  “It’s helpful getting the email newsletters. I learn about what our new Pope Francis has to say about climate change, film-screenings and talks in my area, and other initiatives from other organizations.”

The website also has a wealth of resources pertaining to advocacy and action in local communities, including an Earth Day Packet for parishes, colleges, and other ministries.

So, don’t wait for April 22nd.  Take the St. Francis Pledge now and begin your Earth Day celebration by following St. Francis’ footsteps.

We prepare and support lay Catholics for two-year international, one-year domestic and 1-2 week short-term mission service opportunities in solidarity with impoverished and marginalized communities across the globe.

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