Creation Care Ministry

ABOUT

Laudato Si’ movement was born from Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home.” Here at St. George, a group of parishioners work to carry out the Laudato Si’ action plan for our parish which addresses six different categories: Ecological Education, Response to the Cry of the Earth, Response to the Cry of the Poor, Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles, Ecological Spirituality, Community Resilience and Empowerment.  As a result of progress made in the above areas and their commitment to continue to foster ecological awareness and sustainability, promote conservation and respect all forms of life on Earth, this ministry was established.

MISSION

The mission of Creation Care Ministry, grounded in scripture, led by the Holy Spirit and following the teaching of Jesus, is to promote Catholic Social Teaching (Care for God’s Creation) and Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ within the St. George community.  It will encourage members of St. George Church to view creation with a sense of awe and wonder, make members aware of the ecological crisis, educate members so that they can understand the human impact of creation, especially on the poor and support conversation and action both among individuals and the human family that will help us become better stewards of creation.

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson: JoDale Ales

Members: Karen Fawley, Ann Bertsch, Cherry Riggs, Celeste Daigle, Itty Bryan, Carol Sharp, Nel Naquin, Denise Malesic, Marilyn Rivet, Melinda Sanford, Tam Tran, Amanda Fuselier, Sheila Lyon, Cheryl Vermaelen, Mark Fleniken

EVENTS

September 1 to October 4, 2025 – Season of Creation
October 2, 2025- Interfaith Prayer Service to Pray for the care of our common home
and all creation

RESOURCES

Laudato Si 
USCCB Care for Creation 
Catholic Climate Covenant 
​Republic Services​​​

ACTIONS TAKEN

Efforts of St. George parish to support care for creation:
1.  Church office and Nursery recycle and put bins in the Youth House
2.  Use local food suppliers, i.g. Alexander's and Calandro's
3.  Encourages staff to use their own water bottles instead of plastic ones
4.  Water filling station has been installed in KAC; it counts the number of plastic water bottles
     saved…thanks to the St. George Men’s Club
5.  LED lights are being used throughout the church and grounds
6.  Timers set on lighting and motion sensors in church offices
 7.  Automatic water, paper and flushing church restrooms
8.  Yard watering monitored
9.  Copier company recycles ink
10.  Copy paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified from responsible sources
11.  Documents exchanged online as much as possible (paperless); agenda & minutes, finance
      council, cemetery committee, Council of Ministers
12.  Scanners are used to reduce paper use
13.  Paper coffee cups instead of Styrofoam are being used
14.  General Paper Company, a local copany is used; cuts down on transportation
15.  Church building is on a schedule for heating and cooling
16.  Light-filtering shades are used
17.  Used computers are donated or given to recycling business downtown
18.  Recycles office paper and plastic
19.  Supporting the SG LS Action Plan

What Creation Care is doing

1.  Asked members to bring their own water bottles to meetings
2. Install plastic recycling bin in KAC and take to Youth House
3. Encourage copying front and back
4. Encourage use of paper products instead of plastic in KAC

PERSONAL ACTIONS

1.  Recycle weekly
2.  Reduce consumption of goods when able.  Think twice before making a purchase…do I
     really need this?
3.  Reuse whenever possible, wrapping paper, old tshirts for cleaning rags, donate clothing to a
     charity, etc.