Laudato Si’ Dialogues Newsletter Thirteenth Issue, August 2022
The Story – Pope Francis in Canada:
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First and foremost, Pope Francis’ visit to Canada was to ask for forgiveness for the harms done to Indigenous children in the Indian Residential Schools. Métis elder Jo Anne Young echoes the words of Métis National Council President, Cassidy Caron; “There is so much work ahead of us to seek out truth, justice and healing …Learning to love again after everything our people have gone through is tougher than learning to walk. … These teachings of respect and of love must continue to guide us as we move forward …This week, and beyond, is about Survivors and supporting what they need to find peace in their lives.” 1 Jo Anne was impressed with the sincerity of Pope Francis. His words in Spanish, she said, signified more remorse than the English translations indicated. Many people, including Métis peers, agreed that they heard his sincerity. “We understand that he recognizes the abuse and assimilation that happened at Indian Residential Schools, and on his trip home to Rome, he agreed that genocide is the correct word to describe what happened.” |
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Special Laudato Si’ Week Edition, May 2022
The Story: A Reflective Spring Eco-Getaway
Thirteen people participated in the Laudato Si’ Retreat at Jericho House Youth Leadership, Justice and Spirituality Centre, organized in collaboration with MLSM Canada. The retreat’s theme came from one of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform Goals, the “Cry of the Earth” and offered a time for kindred spirits to explore how to engage with the ecological crisis and its challenges. As part of their engagement with the Action Platform organizers at Jericho House will host similar retreats in the springtime for the next 6 years.
The participants, from different parts of Ontario and sectors of ministry, enjoyed the first MLSM Canada event to bring people together in person.
Sean Moore joined us virtually for an excellent presentation, How the system Works … and How to Work the System: A Primer on the Art and Science of Public-Policy Advocacy, a module from his Advocacy School. An afternoon panel discussion including Robert Czerny, representing a group of Ottawa parishes who have formed several Laudato Si’ Action Committees, Iseult Hayden from Toronto parish St. Anselm’s Ecology Group, Roman Caruk speaking about Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board initiatives and Agnes Richard shared their knowledge of successful parish, community and school ecological programs. On Saturday evening we had the chance to connect with Kevin Moynihan, producer of several Canadian films about Laudato Si’, for a discussion about his latest video, Laudato Si’ +7 The Greening of Faith Communities in Canada.
Read moreLaudato Si’ Dialogues Newsletter -Twelfth Issue, April 2022
The Story – EARTH DAY 2022 #InvestInOurPlanet
“We are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness. The problem is that we still lack the culture needed to confront this crisis.” -LS 5
This year’s Earth Day (April 22nd) theme announces “now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we must Invest In Our Planet.” We can help build the culture Pope Francis speaks of by imagining how our resources can support the Creator’s plan.
What better time to open the Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit , (en française) with a colleague, begin the journey to divest from fossil fuels and take steps to invest in our planet?
Divestment from continually expanding fossil fuel companies, and reinvestment in enterprises that promote clean energy, just employment, transparent governance and the inclusion of Indigenous leadership are powerful actions that demonstrate integrated ecological justice.
“This Toolkit is a wonderful resource for all faith communities keen to understand how to align their faith and investments with a shift away from harmful sectors such as fossil fuels.”
-Dr. Lorna Gold, president of the Laudato Si’ Movement Board of Directors.
In Laudato Si’ we are also prompted “to show special care for Indigenous communities and their cultural traditions … When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best.” LS 146 Pope Francis gives us renewed inspiration to work towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through his personal apology, April 1, and his promise to come to Canada in the very near future.
Read moreLaudato Si’ Dialogues Newsletter 11th Issue, February 2022
THE STORY – The Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit is READY TO USE
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The Toolkit signals the launch of a campaign to encourage faith based Canadian fossil fuel divestments in the forefront of global divestment announcements with the Laudato Si’ Movement this year. As members of MLSM Canada we encourage you to register with the Toolkit website, in English or French. It’s an easy read, interspersed with graphics and videos that emphasize the strong connection between Catholic Social Teaching and a more intentional response to Care of Our Common Home. The Climate is a Common Good: Social Teaching and Climate Change is an excellent example of new videos that can be used in early discussions with organizations and finance committees. In January, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines made their most urgent appeal to date, for a strong Catholic response to the climate crisis. |
We must match our investments with our values
PRESS RELEASE
25, 01, 2022
- Religious group launches Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit for climate justice -
A New Toolkit is designed for faith-based institutions to align their investments with their mission and vision, in light of the global climate crisis.
Recognizing the moral obligation and urgency of faith-based institutions to do their part in addressing the climate crisis and climate injustice, the Mouvement Laudato Si’ Movement - Canada and Faith & the Common Good have developed the Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit. It guides divestment from fossil fuels in favour of sustainable investments and a broader understanding of profitable returns.
Laudato Si’ Dialogues Newsletter Tenth Issue
THE STORY – We are today’s John the Baptist, spread the JOY!
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There is Joy in the Presence of Jesus, artwork by Rebecca Brogan |
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As this week begins with Gaudete Sunday, I can’t help but contemplate how we, who are working to bring Laudato Si’ into our lives and society, mirror characters in the gospel about Saint John the Baptist. Like the multitude who went out to be baptized by John, full of joyous anticipation for the coming of the Messiah, we ask what must we do to bring to bear the good fruit of repentance and welcome Jesus? We are also like John the Baptist, voices crying out in the wilderness of our communities that a new day is dawning. Like John, we rejoice in knowing Christ is present in our world. We know the promise of His redeeming grace. We know with the Holy Spirit, He is still here, speaking eloquently to us through nature, through our fellow human beings, through the very depths of our own concerns and desires. Our joy springs from knowing that we have enormous support from Pope Francis to continue spreading the message of an intricately interconnected world. He reminds us “The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.” LS 13 Rejoice! Christ is with us! |
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MLSM Canada Ontario Roundtables
FREE Registration for MLSM Canada Ontario Roundtables
Ontario Roundtables begin in January! Join this free online facilitated space to make connections, build community and find support with other MLSM Canada members living in Ontario. MLSM Canada members and Laudato Si’ Animators living in Ontario are invited to register for both Roundtables, but may also register for just one of them. When you register for a Roundtable you automatically become an MLSM Canada member if you are not already one. The first Roundtable is introductory while the second Roundtable focuses more on deepening ecological spirituality as well as sharing on challenges and strategies.
Ontario Roundtable #1: Wed. Jan. 19th at 7:00 pm EST; 6:00 pm CST
Ontario Roundtable #2: Wed. Mar. 30th at 7:00 pm EST; 6:00 pm CST
Information and Registration: MLSM Canada Ontario Roundtables
Contact: Roundtables coordinator Karen Van Loon [email protected]
Mouvement Laudato Si' Movement Canada
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“Hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”
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Acknowledgement
| MLSM Canada is based near Hamilton, Ontario, situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek and other allied nations to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. |
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