Care for Creation

“Care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good.” –Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #466

crucifix near flowers surrounded with tall and green trees, representing call to care for creationDive into a comprehensive collection of resources centered on Care for Creation, a vital theme of Catholic Social Teaching. This resource hub offers tools and insights to inspire reflection, education, and action on environmental stewardship and ecological justice. Rooted in the Church’s call to protect God’s creation, these materials empower individuals and communities to live in harmony with the earth and advocate for a sustainable future.

Education for Justice Care for Creation Resources:

  • Faith-Based Reflections: Prayers, meditations, and Scripture-based resources emphasizing our moral duty to care for creation.
  • Lesson Plans and Classroom Tools: Ready-to-use activities and teaching materials for exploring ecological justice through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.
  • Multimedia Resources: Inspiring videos, infographics, and articles that highlight the Church’s commitment to environmental care.
  • Advocacy Guides: Practical resources for promoting sustainability, addressing climate change, and supporting policies that honor our shared home.

This diverse collection connects faith with action, helping individuals and communities respond to Pope Francis’s call in Laudato Si’ to protect our common home. By integrating ecological awareness with Catholic values, these resources provide pathways for fostering a culture of care and responsibility for creation.

Lectionary Reflection: Season of Creation Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time [c]

Lectionary Reflection
Use this lectionary reflection for September 8, 2019 to highlight the Season of Creation and the upcoming Synod on the Amazon.
Van Jones

Discussion Guide: The Economic Injustice of Plastic

Video
This 13-minute TED Talk, by environmental and racial justice activist Van Jones, explores the negative impact of the production, use, and disposal of plastics on the lives of the poor. The discussion...
Pope Francis at Interfaith Gathering at the Vatican

Reflection: Interfaith Vatican Gathering on the "Cries of the Earth, Cries of the Poor"

Reflection
Learn about the March 2019 interfaith gathering at the Vatican on the environment and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This resource includes a summary, reflection questions, suggestions to put...
Tree half bare half bloom

Earth Prayer 2019

Prayer
This prayer for the earth reflects on how we can delight in the beauty of creation while also recognizing our role in polluting the earth. We ask for the courage to recommit to advocacy as a form of...

And St. Francis Preached to the Birds

Prayer
This video puts the lines of the prayer “And St. Francis Preached to the Birds” to music for an easy-to-use resource to start a parish meeting, youth group event, service trip, or religion class....

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Film Discussion Guide
This film discussion guide poses critical questions to the moral implications behind the film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, specifically in terms of caring for God’s creation, and the ethics of...

Living CST: Ilia Delio, O.S.F.

Prayer Service
This prayer service uses quotes from Sister Ilia Delio, O.S.F, and calls us to be open to new concepts of God and ways of caring for our common home and one another.  
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Catholic Social Tradition, the Environment, and the Option for the Poor

Reflection
This reflection discusses environmental ethics and the option for the poor and vulnerable within Catholic social tradition and identifies key Church documents that addressed the environmental...
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Earth Day Reflection on Plastic Pollution

Reflection
This short resource reflects on the theme of Earth Day 2018, connects this theme to Pope Francis’s concerns for Creation, and offers suggestions for action and an Earth Day prayer. EFJ’s 2015...
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Restoring Balance to Our Common Home

Litany
This litany invites us to work on a right balance between human and planetary needs and to work together to restore balance to the planet we all call home.  
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The National Parks: America’s Best Idea

Film Discussion Guide
As we celebrate God’s Creation on Earth Day, this film guide for Ken Burn’s National Parks series offers reflection questions on the beautifully photographed documentary, whose visuals inspire...
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April 2018: Fostering a Culture of Peace by Caring for Creation

Calendar
This month’s calendar offers daily reflections and actions to celebrate EFJ’s theme for the month of March 2018: Fostering a Culture of Peace by Caring for Creation.