May 21-28 is Laudato Si’ Week

(L to R)Sister Carol Stovall, Marcia and John Daniels, and Elyse Brady of the Laudato Si' Creation Care Ministry of the Cathedral-Basilica at May 21st Ministry Fair held behind Cathedral.

Laudato Si’ Week, held May 21-28 this year, celebrates the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. The theme of of this year’s week is “Hope for the Earth. Hope for Humanity.” The annual week held in May is sponsored by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The film, “The Letter: A Message for Our Earth,” released in 2022, is the focal point of this year’s Laudato Si’ week, with Catholics being encouraged to view and reflect on the film, that is freely available on You Tube. The film, which includes the viewpoints of youth, indigenous people, and the poor, lasts about 80 minutes. It aired on PBS in December 2022.

Some of the questions for reflection on the film suggested are the following:

• How did the film make you feel? What is your key takeaway from the film?

• What are some actions you as an individual or as a local community could take to protect our common home?

  Here are some simple suggestions: Consume/buy less; Conserve electricity; Use less water; Give up single-use plastics; Plant a tree or garden; Walk, bike or carpool.

  The film “The Letter” can be found at htpps://www.theletterfilm.org. If the film does not appeal to you, I encourage you to pray the prayer below for Laudato Si’ Week.