Caring for Our Common Home

Link to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ – Laudato Si – Vatican website

How are we taking care of our environment—our planet?

Are we using our God given gifts to create food, drink and goods in ways that have a positive impact on our land, water, and air? <br>

In January 2011 an ad hoc group of people from various churches got together to talk about how churches could be involved in environmental concerns. Out of this group first grew Churches for Environmental Action (CEA), which expanded in 2018 to include a multi-faith perspective. The new group is known as Communities Inspired for Environmental Action.

Inaugural multi-faith event for Communities Inspired for Environmental Action

On Nov. 29, 2019 speakers from a range of faith traditions spoke at an information and brainstorming event at the Jewish Community Centre, Congregation Agudas Israel, entitled “Spirited Environmental Action?: Why? How? By Who?“ – the evening continued the conversation about people of faith coming together to care for our common home..

Speakers included:

  • Sandi Harper (Indigenous Spirituality, Teacher at Saskatoon Public Schools Teacher, graduate of the diocesan Aboriginal Catholic Lay Formation program)
  • Ilyas Sidyot (Islam, Imam at Islamic Association of Saskatoon)
  • Claudio Jodorkovsky (Judaism, Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Israel)
  • Sean Sanford Beck (Anglican)
  • Carroll Chubb (Unitarian, Green Sanctuary)
The vision of Communities Inspired for Environmental Action is to continue holding workshops and information gatherings in the months and years ahead.

Previous “Churches for Environmental Action” events have included:

  • 2011- “What’s on Your Plate” – reflections on food security and sustainable agriculture.
  • 2012: “It Ain’t Easy Being Green:  Alternatives for Economics, Energy, & Environment”
  • 2013: “Practicing Our Faith as Caretakers of Creation”
  • 2014: “Care of Earth, Care of the Church: Why is the Environment an Ecumenical Issue” – partnering with the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.
  • 2014:  Focus Group:  U of S students
  • 2014: “Making Your Case:  Environmental Action as Christian Action”
  • 2015: “Praying for the Environment” -Initiative from the First Day of Spring to Earth Day
  • 2015: “Changing to Care For Our Common Home” – partnering with St Thomas More College, Knights of Columbus and Queen’s House – Conference 2015 news article
  • 2016: “Recovering from our addiction to stuff”
  • 2017: “Seeking Sustainability: Practices for Mindful Living”
  • 2017: “Drowning? Ways to Live Simply.” – “Living Simply” – News article
  • 2018: “Saskatoon Shines with Solar”

Other Resources:

CCCB Justice and Peace Commission document “Living Out Laudato Si’ – A commentary and practical resource for Canadian Catholics“ – CCCB letter – PDF

Link to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ – www.vatican.va