THE STORY – The Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit is READY TO USE

“We are now all the more aware that many of the financial institutions in whom we place our trust have been instrumental in the rise of fossil fuels. It is unacceptable that finances so graciously provided to us are used for such industries. Financial resources must be used solely for the Common Good, Integrity of Creation, and the Glory of our Creator.” In Canada we are called to hear and act in solidarity with their pleas.

Members of any Catholic volunteer organization, CWL, Knights of Columbus, Catholic charity, those who work with or have a relationship with a Bishop or Chancery office, serve on the board of a Catholic post secondary institution or health care facility, please use this Toolkit as a launching pad for discussions about fossil fuel divestment and sustainable re-investment. 

“The Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada heartily endorse the Toolkit!” Sr. Margo Ritchie, CSJ Congregational Leader of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

"The Canada-specific content in this Toolkit is a valuable resource for faith-based organizations planning to align investment strategies with respect for our environment and support for the underserved and those experiencing poverty. This Toolkit is helping organizations make investments to serve people, not the other way around.” Claire Barcik, Executive Director, The Catherine Donnelly Foundation

“This Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit, that will enhance a call for fossil fuel divestment in Canada, is a powerful act of faith that will advance the end of the supply side of fossil fuels. As Pope Francis said, ‘enough of the thirst for profit that drives the fossil fuel industry’s destruction of our common home.’” Tomás Insua, Laudato Si’ Movement Executive Director

The Eco-Investment Toolkit is monumental, phenomenal and sensational. To have so much wisdom and grace gathered in one place is truly a blessing for so many people wanting to do good, but too confused to know how. Beautifully done and so necessary. Bravo and thank you. Fr. Greg Kennedy, SJ

Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator: LAUNCH

Join us to celebrate the launch of the Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit in a webinar, February 23rd at 1pm EST. 

We’ll give you a guided tour! We’ll also hear from Svitlana Romanko, Zero Fossil Fuels Campaign Manager with the Laudato Si’ Movement about her plans for a North American divestment campaign in 2022 and 2023. 

Register here.

Wishing you the best of traditional February celebrations, love and family!

News

1) FREE Registration for MLSM Canada Ontario Roundtable on March 30th

MLSM Canada members living in Ontario are invited to register for the second Ontario Roundtable on Wed. March 30th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm EST; 6:00 – 7:30 pm CST. This online Roundtable will focus on deepening ecological spirituality as well as sharing on challenges and strategies. To ensure time for participation in person, registration is limited. Find out more or register at https://www.faithcommongood.org/mlsm_canada_regional_roundtables.

2) Laudato Si’ Retreat You are invited to participate in a weekend Laudato Si’ Retreat at Jericho House, Wainfleet, Ontario, April 29 to May 1, 2022.

The retreat begins with dinner at 5:30 on Friday and ends at 2pm on Sunday.  

The retreat’s context is the first of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform Goals, “Response to the Cry of the Earth”, and offers a time for kindred spirits to explore how to befriend the ecological crises and its challenges. It is open to residential, commuter, and virtual participation of Ontario based Laudato Si’ Animators, MLSM Canada followers and educators, and includes opportunities for 

• small and large group discussions
• skill development
• outdoor contemplation in creation
• personal and group reflection
• action and advocacy planning
• community building

Cost for residential participation usually would be $265.00, but a generous grant from Jericho House enables the fee to be simply a “free will” offering in any amount. There will be no financial barrier to participation. MLSM Canada members beyond Ontario can register to participate in a virtual experience of the retreat.

Please RSVP by April 8, 2022

Jericho House Youth Leadership, Justice and Spirituality Centre is located at 10845 Rathfon Rd., Wainfleet, ON LOS 1V0 , phone 905-834-0553.

3) Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty
Globally, faith leaders are calling on governments to sign the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty. Read their letter here, and sign your own letter to promote the Treaty as an individual, or as an institution. “The science surrounding the most urgent danger facing humanity is undeniable: to be good caretakers of our common home, we must act and phase out the production of fossil fuels. Numerous faith institutions around the world have already divested from fossil fuel companies, now we take the next step in calling on governments to plan a global just transition.“

4) Faithful Climate Conversations – Facilitator Training For the Love of Creation is offering two training sessions on how to be a great Faithful Climate Conversations Facilitator.  You’ll explore the skills needed to lead small group discussions, create a safe and open atmosphere and help everyone’s voice to be heard.  Two workshop times offer the same training material on Saturday, February 12, and Wednesday, February 16 . On Wednesday, February 23rd FLC offers the launch of a Facilitator’s Network. Click on the event for more information and to register.

5) Advocate for Continued Commitment to Indigenous Rights! Join like minded ecumenical partners, Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue, in this letter writing campaign to hasten the implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

We call on the current Parliament and Minister of Justice David Lametti to make implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act a priority, keeping to the reporting requirements as laid out in the Act when it passed, and partnering with Indigenous leaders and communities in determining how implementation will happen.

6) Launch of the Laudato Si` Action Platform in Canada Join like minded ecumenical partners, Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue, in this letter writing campaign to hasten the implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

To participate in the Launch of the Laudato Si` Action Platform in Canada, register here. On Saturday, February 12th at 10:00 am Saskatchewan Time, (8:00 am BC, 11:00 ONT) Norman Lévesque and Bishop Jon Hansen, C.Ss.R will present a webinar to help participants learn more about how communities can engage in the works of Laudato Si’. There will be some time for discussion and sharing, so bring a friend and join us. For more information email Tashia Toupin: [email protected].