Gift Awarded to Laudato Si’ Movement Supports Care of Earth and People
The Congregation of St. Joseph announces it is making its largest gift to date in support of Laudato Si’ efforts that are part of the global Laudato Si’ Movement.
The $1 million-dollar multi-year grant moves an ongoing partnership between the congregation and the Laudato Si’ Movement to a deeper level and builds on a history of collaboration around a shared purpose. The mission of the Congregation of St. Joseph is to bring, “all into unity with God, with one another, and with all creation.” With support from the congregation, the Laudato Si’ Movement, which is based on the Pope’s encyclical by the same name, promotes these values within the context of the planetary crisis.
As the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss affect more and more people across the United States and around the world, Catholics find themselves at a turning point. This is the critical moment to honor our Creator and care for each other by protecting Earth, our common home.
Support from the congregation enables the Laudato Si’ Movement to equip a vibrant network of lay leaders to engage their communities in this effort. With resources and guidance from the Laudato Si’ Movement, leaders in the United States are advocating for moral climate policies, organizing prayer services, and encouraging everyone to move to renewable energy sources.
With a spirit of unity led by the Holy Spirit, this partnership opens opportunities and relationships to foster a culture of integral ecology in collaboration with many leaders and organizations. The Laudato Si’ Movement is grateful to work with partners including Catholic Climate Covenant, Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Kateri Conservation Center, Ignatian Solidarity Network, NETWORK, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, and many others.
As noted by Pope Francis, “The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together.” (Laudato Si’, 13) By working together, this collaborative community of care for creation can develop new approaches and create greater impact.
Congregational President Sister Kathleen Brazda, CSJ, said, “The Congregation of St. Joseph is dedicated to the care of creation and to taking steps to strengthen, heal, and renew the face of Earth. We are hopeful that this grant and our support of the Laudato Si’ Movement will encourage collaboration and amplify the work of many other organizations committed to protecting our common home. With our resources and efforts, we remain committed to supporting innovative ways of protecting and healing our world so that ‘All may be One’.
“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to deepen our partnership with the Congregation of St. Joseph. This historic gift sparks new hope for all who share our common home,” said Susana Réfega, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement.
The Laudato Si’ Movement inspires and mobilizes the Catholic community to care for our common home and achieve climate and ecological justice.
