Las siete metas de la Plataforma de Acción Laudato Si

Quizá has escuchado o leído sobre las las siete metas de la Laudato Si, aquí un pequeño resumen de lo que significa.

1. La Respuesta al Clamor de los Pobres es una llamada a promover la eco-justicia, conscientes de que estamos llamadas a proteger todas las formas de vida en la Tierra. Las acciones podrían incluir el apoyo a iniciativas para acabar con la trata de personas, el acompañamiento a personas mayores, personas viviendo con discapacidades, migrantes y familias de desaparecidos, la asistencia a la niñez en guarderías cuyas madres con bajos ingresos tienen que trabajar, etc.
2. La Respuesta al Clamor de la Tierra es una llamada a proteger nuestra casa común para el bienestar de todo el planeta. Las acciones podrían incluir la promoción de un mayor uso de energías renovables limpias y la reducción de combustibles fósiles para lograr la neutralidad de carbono, los esfuerzos para proteger y promover la biodiversidad, el apoyo a políticas que garanticen el acceso al agua potable, etc.
3. La Adopción de Estilos de Vida Sostenibles se fundamenta en la idea de la solidaridad y el fomento de la sobriedad en el uso de los recursos y la energía. Las acciones podrían incluir la participación en proyectos ecológicos urbanos, el fomento de la eliminación del plástico de un solo uso, la adopción de una dieta más basada en vegetales, el apoyo a personas que deseen implementar huertos familiares/comunitarios, etc.
4. La Economía Ecológica reconoce que la economía es un subsistema de la sociedad humana. Las acciones podrían incluir la promoción de cooperativas en comunidades indígenas, la producción sostenible, el comercio justo, el consumo ético, las inversiones éticas, la desinversión en combustibles fósiles y en cualquier actividad económica perjudicial para el planeta y las personas, la inversión en energías renovables, etc.
5. La Educación Ecológica consiste en repensar para fomentar la conciencia ecológica y la acción transformadora. Las acciones podrían incluir la asistencia a pacientes con medicina alternativa, la promoción de valores del cuidado de la Creación, el soporte a proyectos educativos con enfoque ecológico, etc.
6. La Espiritualidad Ecológica surge de una profunda conversión ecológica y nos ayuda a "descubrir a Dios en todas las cosas". Las acciones podrían incluir oraciones sobre ecología integral, promoción de celebraciones litúrgicas basadas en el cuidado, desarrollo de retiros, catequesis y programas de formación ecológicos, etc.
7. El Empoderamiento y la Resiliencia de la Comunidad prevén un camino sinodal de compromiso comunitario y acción participativa a varios niveles. Las acciones podrían incluir la promoción de la incidencia y la concienciación sobre la fracturación hidráulica (fracking), el fomento del arraigo en el territorio local y los ecosistemas vecinales, posturas públicas contra los sistemas injustos, etc.

The seven goals of the Laudato Si Action Platform

You may have read or heard about the seven goals of Laudato Si, here is a synopsis of what they mean.

1.     The Response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend all forms of life on Earth. Actions could include supporting initiatives to end human trafficking, accompanying the elderly, people with disabilities, migrants and families of missing persons, assisting children in day care centers whose low-income mothers have to work, etc.

2.     The Response to the Cry of the Earth is a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all. Actions could include promoting greater use of clean renewable energies and reducing fossil fuels to achieve carbon neutrality, efforts to protect and promote biodiversity, supporting policies that guarantee access to clean water for all, etc.

3.     The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of solidarity and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. Actions could include participating in urban eco-projects, encouraging the elimination of single-use plastic, adopting a more plant-based diet, supporting people wishing to implement family/community gardens, etc.

4.     Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a sub-system of human society. Actions could include the promotion of cooperatives in indigenous communities, sustainable production, fair trade, ethical consumption, ethical investments, divestment from fossil fuels and any economic activity harmful to the planet and people, investment in renewable energies, etc.

5.     Ecological Education is about re-thinking in order to foster ecological awareness and transformative action. Actions could include assistance to patients with alternative medicine, promotion of values of care for creation, promotion of eco-friendly projects, etc.

6.     Ecological Spirituality springs from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things.” Actions could include prayers on integral ecology, promoting creation-based liturgical celebrations, developing ecological retreats, catechesis, and formation programs, etc.

7.     Community resilience and empowerment envisage a synodal journey of community engagement and participatory action at various levels. Actions could include promoting advocacy and awareness of fracking, fostering rootedness in local territory and neighborhood ecosystems, taking a stand against unfair systems, etc.

Laudato Si Animators Formation for Youth

San Antonio Laudato Si Animators conducting workshops in Parishes or your communities:  send an email to laudatosisacircle@gmail.com to participate or know more information.

From February 5 - March 25, we are conducting Gospel and Laudato Si Integration workshops in St. Timothy Parish, join us through Zoom meeting with details below.  More importantly, if you are youth or young adults, we encourage you more.

Our first class on February 5 joyously commenced with food followed by icebreaker about fruit, introduction on topic about Laudato Si, the encyclical of Pope Francis, Theology of Creation, and the Integral Ecology.  The participants had a glimpse of how God love the creation not only human beings.  This love is our calling as human beings to love the whole creation.  

Our second class on February 12 was celebrated with sustainability in mind with the topic "The Climate and the Environment".  The formators Frances and Sister Marylou made sure that there will be least amount of trash by using real fork, spoons, plates, glasses, and table napkins.   We had macaroni and cheese on the instant pot, home-baked cookies, sandwiches, and fresh strawberries.  We also had water dispenser to encourage the youth to refill their glasses. It will take time to stay away from bad habits, but you know what, our youth are on their way.  We had Thomas who is an environmentalist, and who joined us in zoom from College Station and our regular online participant Carmen from out of state.  

We fashioned ourselves to be the plants, animals, and other parts of creation with a ball of string in our hands.  We identified our connections with each other, and we ended up our strings tangled up.  This is what the ecology is about, that our lives, lives of other creatures, and environment are interconnected.  In our session, we all saw what is happening in Texas in terms of the environment given the number of oil refineries here, plastics pollution in landfill and oceans, and the toxins from agrobusiness.  We can do so much this lent by being green in our actions and lifestyle.  By developing a good ecologically conscious habit, we are becoming one with nature where the plants are our sister, the animals are our sister, the mother nature is our sister, and etc.  When we value something as our sister or brother, we give importance and dignity to such.

 

On our third class, February 19, the Zoom Meeting details are provided below.  Our topic will be about The Ecological Justice. In this workshop session, we are going to discuss whether individual solution is enough.  What is the importance of getting connected to a community of the same cause.  We are also going to talk about systemic solution.  We will encourage our youth to think about their project so that they can animate or concretize the care for our common home.

https://christushealthvideo.zoom.us/j/97107458835?pwd=bEEray8zTGgvYTBybVY1VnlmS0syUT09

Password: (email me for password = laudatosisacircle@gmail.com)

Meeting ID: 971 0745 8835

Thank you to our sponsor simpleecology in etsy for providing us a free item which will be given away in the coming weeks once available.  Visit them SimpleEcology - Etsy

See you in zoom or in St. Timothy.

For those in parishes and universities, Laudato Si Texas Chapter is running a contest.  See below for more information:

Oración Bilingüe Virtual

Este jueves 8 de febrero es la Jornada Mundial de Oración y Reflexión contra la Trata de Personas. Unidas a nuestra iglesia y a todas las personas de buena voluntad, te invitamos a orar juntas a las 6:30 p.m. (Hora Cd. de México, México) y a las 7:30 p.m. (Hora Chimbote-Lima, Perú).  Sí, rezaremos en unidad desde una oración bilingüe. 

Nos encantaría que participes activamente asegurándote que tengas contigo algunos símbolos que honren y te conecten con los elementos de tierra, aire, fuego, agua y metal.  

Únete a la oración virtual haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace: https://christushealthvideo.zoom.us/j/91347266460

 

Muchísimas gracias por considerar unirte a este espacio de encuentro y oración. Y como señala el tema de este año para la jornada mundial de oración: caminar por la dignidad es reconocer que todo está interrelacionado y que la explotación de las personas no puede abordarse sin una relación respetuosa con toda la creación.

Online Bilingual Prayer

This February 8 is the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking. Together with our church and all people of good will, we invite you to pray together at 6:30 p.m. (Central time).  Yes, we will pray in unity using a bilingual prayer. We would love for you to actively participate by making sure you have with you some symbols that honor and connect you to the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and metal.  

Join the online bilingual prayer by clicking in the following link: https://christushealthvideo.zoom.us/j/91347266460
 
Thank you so much for considering joining us in this space of encounter and prayer. And as this year's theme for the World Day of Prayer points out:  journeying for dignity is to recognize that everything is interrelated, and that the exploitation of people cannot be addressed without a respectful relationship with all of creation.

 

Justice that builds peace

"With the Incarnation, God dwells in this world. Certainly, there is still injustice, pain, war, organized crime, insecurity, but this world is inhabited by God. God continues to inspire desires to love; there are mothers nursing their children, people expressing love, supportive hands, individuals seeking justice and building peace, caretakers of creation, and families searching for their missing loved ones. People remain interested in the progress of humanity. We say "Merry Christmas" because we can live in the confidence that God still believes in humanity, not leaving it orphaned - His Son is one of us. He dwells in this world and has the ability to illuminate it." - Pepe Magaña, SJ

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. It's hard to believe. I've been back in Mexico for a little over a year, collaborating with Father Salvador López Mora, a member of the Urban Pastoral team (founded by Father Benjamín Bravo). Salvador and I have worked together in various periods since 1990. This time, we are focusing on urban pastoral care and supporting families with missing relatives.

As you probably know from international news, the disappearance crisis continues to be part of a broader pattern of criminal violence driven by a plague of organized crime, involvement/support, or acquiescence of state actors in criminal activities. On average, one person disappears every hour. Disappearances often occur with the direct or indirect involvement of government agents. The context of impunity in Mexico has significantly contributed to the disappearance crisis.

My current pastoral ministry has led me to reconnect with parents of missing persons whom I knew ten years ago. Disillusioned by the lack of action, sensitivity, and empathy from authorities, the endless delays in the justice system, and questioning the credibility of their missing relatives, they have organized into collectives and taken to the streets to raise awareness and advocate for change. Family collectives such as United Forces for Our Disappeared (FUNDEC in Spanish), Uniting Hopes, and Citizens in Support of Human Rights (CADHAC in Spanish) search for their loved ones in channels, rivers, fields, and mountainous areas across many parts of the country. Currently, it is estimated that around 200 collectives are operating and collaborating across different regions of the country.

So, I joined the Eje de Iglesias (Churches Axis), National Search Brigade. The Churches Axis National Search Brigade is ecumenical. We are a team from various faith traditions and spiritualities: Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Covenant. This ministry is also supported by members of religious congregations: Missionary Carmelites of Saint Teresa, Society of Jesus, Sisters of Jesus and Mary, Incarnate Word, Passionists, etc. We are committed to accompanying families searching for their missing relatives from a perspective of faith and peace-building.

Additionally, we are part of the National Network of Family Collectives in search of missing relatives.

Currently, more than 130,000 people have been missing since 1962. Moreover, from January 2007 to April 2023, Mexican authorities reported the discovery of 5,698 clandestine graves nationwide. The map of anonymous graves highlights one of the criminals' favored tactics in these times of the war on drugs and organized crime: "disappearing" individuals, concealing their death and fate. Faced with this reality, alongside collective leaders and supportive individuals like us in the Churches Axis National Search Brigade, we seek to prevent violence, raise awareness, and maximize the impact and search capabilities of collectives.

Let's continue seeking the justice that builds peace; let's remain caretakers of the common home; let's stay committed to the progress of humanity.

Paz y bien,

Miriam Bannon, CCVI