Our Providence Community 2024-25 Laudato Si Action Platform Plan

Who Are We?

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, who founded the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, in 1840, knew the value of caring for all of Creation. The legacy of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin infuses the contemporary life of the Providence Community with deep trust in the Providence of God, inclusivity of the diversity of creation, and active response to God’s call to care for all creation.

The Providence Community has a strong commitment to love, mercy and justice. This is expressed in love for all of creation, deep trust in the mercy of God for the harm humans have done to Earth, and the social mission of Jesus the Christ who calls us to co-create and care for all of creation.

Significant Milestones in Our Care for Creation

1996 Governing Chapter: Established the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice,

2011 Governing Chapter: Adopted Sisters of Providence Land Ethic,

2016 Governing Chapter: Established the Climate Change Task Force (CCTF),

2018 Annual Meeting: Committed to the Providence Climate Agreement,

2021 Governing Chapter: Prior to this Chapter, the General Council of the Sisters of Providence invited the Climate Change Task Force to engage the Providence Community’s participation in the Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP), and

2024-2025 LSAP Plan.

In Laudate Deum, Pope Francis points to the current climate crisis

“Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident. No one can ignore the fact that in recent years we have witnessed extreme weather phenomena, frequent periods of unusual heat, drought and other cries of protest on the part of the earth that are only a few palpable expressions of a silent disease that affects everyone. Admittedly, not every concrete catastrophe ought to be attributed to global climate change. Nonetheless, it is verifiable that specific climate changes provoked by humanity are notably heightening the probability of extreme phenomena that are increasingly frequent and intense.” (Laudate Deum 5).

“If we consider that emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries,  (LS 44) we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact. As a result, along with indispensable political decisions, we would be making progress along the way to genuine care for one another.” (Laudate Deum 72).

As we prepare to elect leaders this Fall, we as a community of believers are called to envision our contribution to the common good by choosing to be multi-issue voters as we use our collective voice to support policies that respond to the cry of Earth, the voices of the poor and minorities, and the diversity of creation.

FOCUS Plan, Goal 7: Community Resilience and Empowerment

The SP 2024-2025 Laudato Si Action Platform Plan is focusing its energies on the seventh Laudato Si Goal: Community Resilience and Empowerment. In particular in November, priority was given to educating people about the various candidates’ views on climate change mitigation as well as promoting voter registration and motivation to be multi-issue voters.

After November, the focus has shifted to empower groups, particularly the Providence Community, to advocate for specific climate justice policies at local, state and national levels. Advocacy–based actions will be determined by the policies of the newly elected administration.

We believe that good advocacy strategies will help to mobilize resources for the development of policies that support ever-deepening care for our Common Home.

As our Providence Community together engages in strategic advocacy actions, we hope to influence public opinion as well as institutional and government policies to include the voices of the poor and minorities, Earth and the diversity of creation.

The SP 2024-2025 LSAP Plan aims to address climate justice issues through awareness raising, policy influence and community engagement. Resources will enable members to carry out planned activities which then will lead to effective policies emerging from advocacy actions.

As these policies benefit the Common Good and as citizens become aware of the benefits, support for the goals of Laudato Si and Laudate Deum will grow. Then hoped for changes will happen in our community and our country.

Three Pillars of 2024-2025 LSAP Plan: Strategic Actions, Resources, Advocacy

The Sisters of Providence 2024-2025 LSAP Plan is organized around three pillars: Strategic Actions, Resources that inform and mobilize these actions, and Advocacy for integral ecology policies.

Just a few of the many action items we have planned include?

Inviting the Providence Community to view the movie, “Crown Jewels,” and then communicate public comments to U.S. Forest Service. Research and communicate links to check voting records of candidates in areas of climate change, democracy, spending for environmental progress, energy, public health, worker protections and public lands.

Research and communicate protocols that impact candidates/partisan/political messaging from members
of non-profit groups.

Raise awareness of and support for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Contact Senator Todd Young and ask him to co-sponsor Senate Bill S4402 in the Senate so we can protect the largest wild forest in the lower Midwestern United States from logging, burning and other destructive activities. Invite the Providence Community to participate in the public comment to the U.S. Forest Service and the National Old Growth Amendment.

Monitor and respond with advocacy actions to issues during the newly elected administration: emissions and pollution, IRA rescissions, energy efficiency standards, infrastructure funding, public health, public lands, and wildlife conservation.

Advocate for a global solution to plastic pollution (EarthDay.org)

Conclusion

While this LSAP Plan calls the Providence Community to advocate for environmental friendly policies, we also are called to continue observing our commitments made in previous LSAP Plans. Each member of the Providence Community is called to continue to recycle, reuse and reimagine how to reduce our carbon footprint. May we stretch ourselves to continue to do even more than we have in previous years.

As the newly elected administration begins to legislate new environmental policies, appropriate advocacy actions will need to emerge to support the values expressed by Pope Francis in Laudato Si and Laudate Deum. Members of the Providence Community are encouraged to propose appropriate advocacy actions based on these documents. Send these proposed advocacy actions to the Laudato Si Action Platform Team at cctflist@spsmw.org.

Let each of us commit ourselves to make this a year in which we step up our personal commitment. AND let us advocate at local and national levels for legislation that will mitigate the climate crisis.