Climate Crisis Task Force offers August Care for Creation Actions
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, Climate Crisis Task Force/Laudato Si’ Action Platform Team is offering all to join in one action each week for the month of August to celebrate Care for Creation.
The team will offer such actions for each month through December.
Here are the actions for the month of August through September 6:
- August 3-9: Volunteer. Find a local environmental organization doing work that interests you and sign up to volunteer! Caring for creation requires the whole community,
- August 10-16: Donate. Share the Plate. Consider giving to support the work of Creation Justice Ministries or another environmental group,
- August 17-23: Compost. Start a compost pile. Set one up in your own backyard or find out if your county has a curbside composting program! Tune into the Evolving Faith podcast, which features Jeff Chu’s “Theology of Compost,”
- August 24-30: Rest and Reflect. Leah Thomas writes, “we can’t save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people, especially those most often unheard.” What does this look like in your community? How can you help out? And
- August 31-September 6: Church of the Wild Service. Host or join a “Church of the Wild” service at a nearby park, beach or garden. Read Victoria Loorz’s book, “Church of the Wild” to learn about this time of gathering, wondering and admiring God’s creation.
The Sisters of Providence and wider Providence Community, publicly committed to join the worldwide Catholic community by responding to Pope Francis’ appeal to participate in a seven-year journey toward sustainability and integral ecology by developing a Laudato Si’ Action Platform Plan.
The action platform named seven goals, including:
- Response to the cry of the Earth,
- Response to the cry of the Poor,
- Ecological Economics,
- Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyle,
- Ecological Education,
- Ecological Spirituality and Community Resilience and Empowerment.
The Congregation has also placed a focus on resources and sustainability through the following statement:
Recognizing the abundance entrusted to us by our Provident God and the opportunities that come from being attentive both to limit as well as possibilities, and using them to foster creativity, we will cultivate inner and interpersonal transformation and take initiative in order to continue the mission of love, mercy and justice in service among all creation.
Currently, the Climate Crisis Task Force consists of Sister Barbara Battista, Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, Sister Marilyn Kofler, Sister Barbara Sheehan and Sister Mary Tomlinson as well as Providence Associates Marilyn Antonik, Paula Fike-Daum, Monica Hayden, Gene Majewski, Jeannie Smith and Lorrie Heber and Mary Riley.
Dear Sister Barbara Battista, Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, Sister Marilyn Kofler, Sister Barbara Sheehan and Sister Mary Tomlinson, Marilyn Antonik, Paula Fike-Daum, Gene Majewski and Jeannie Smith:
My name is Steven, and I serve as the Communications Manager for the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. It was truly heartening to see the list of actions planned for August by the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Your commitment is inspiring.
If any meaningful stories, reflections, or practical moments emerge from these actions—whether it’s the spiritual fruit of your journey or guidance on practices like composting or responding to the cry of the poor, I’d be honored to help share them. I’d be more than happy to draft a blog for our website to highlight your efforts.
Of course, there’s no pressure, just a heartfelt invitation and a desire to celebrate and support your work in any way I can.
With gratitude for all that you do,
Steven Salido Fisher
Communications Manager
Laudato Si’ Action Platform