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FREE registration for #LiveLaudatoSi Learning Webinar: In Solidarity with Migrants

Date: March 10, 2021, 3:30 (EDT)
Location: On-line webinar
Register:  GCCM Canada Webinar: In Solidarity with Migrants
Contact: Agnes Richard · [email protected]

Faith & the Common Good (FCG) is a national, interfaith charitable network dedicated to supporting diverse faith and spiritual communities contribute to greener, healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods. The Global Catholic Climate Movement – Canada chapter (GCCM Canada), a program of FCG, hosts an interactive website, offers educational webinars, and connects members through quarterly newsletters for the advancement of values expressed by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’: on care for our common home.  GCCM Canada is initiating the Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator, a one year undertaking to encourage Catholic institutions, organizations and private investors to follow Pope Francis’ call for a shift to an Ecological Economy.

We are Villa St. Joseph Ecology & Spirituality Centre in Cobourg, Ontario. 

For us, it is important that both practical and spiritual aspects of ecology be integrated and run sustainably not only within our programming and ministry but, as well, throughout our buildings and land.

About twenty years ago, we had an audit done, and it was time for another. In November of 2020, we became aware of Faith & Common Good’s Green Audit Program. This program typically assesses seven key areas: Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Kitchen & Washrooms, Air Quality, Renovations & Construction, and Activities. 

“Advent is an incessant call to hope: it reminds us that God is present in history to lead it to its ultimate end, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.” Pope Francis, Nov 29, 2020.

Advent is also the season of anticipation and preparation.  We at GCCM Canada are filled with all of these feelings this year! But the strongest of these is hope, and that comes directly from you!

“Advent is a continuous call to hope…Let us try to bring out the good even from the difficult situation that the pandemic imposes upon us”  Pope Francis, November 29, 2020.

People of faith seeking to “change the wind” towards justice and compassion

In an Advent reflection, Fr. Ron Rolheiser gives an example of hope from Jim Wallis, the founder of Sojourners, of how people of faith helped bring down apartheid in South Africa. They prayed and placed lit candles in their windows for all to see a sign of their hope that apartheid would end. Despite their government making the lit candles a crime, that prayerful act of hope “changed the wind in South Africa” and helped end apartheid. Wallis explains that politicians make decisions based on which way the wind is blowing so hope’s task is “to change the wind”.

Faithful Footprints: Putting our Houses in Order

Energy retrofits power renewed mission for faith communities

The jury is still out on the Canadian government’s recent climate accountability act but not everyone is waiting for a verdict. 

The United Church of Canada has committed to reducing its greenhouse gases by 80 percent by 2050, and local congregations across the country are already responding, aided by more than $3 million in available grant money from the denomination. 

Communities Inspired for Environmental Action Election Guide 

With the goal of creating a guide to help Saskatchewan voters make informed choices in the upcoming provincial elections, our volunteers contacted candidates with publicly available contact information in 28 ridings, to which we have a connection.

“Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another. Each area is responsible for the care of this family.” 

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ #42

Shaarei Shomayim Garden

By Nicole Toledano

What am amazing garden we have thanks to the funding we received! Our beautiful garden is located right under our Torah scroll design, a symbol of our religion and our faith.

We would like to thank TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Scotts Canada, and Faith & the Common Good for introducing us to this beautiful and successful garden project.