Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat stated that she would have founded the Society of the Sacred Heart for the “sake of a single child.” This commitment is at the heart of our mission. Committed to the well-being and safety of all children, the United States – Canada Province joins with schools, the Global Catholic Climate Movement and intergenerational groups across the globe in supporting the Global Climate Strike Movement on September 20, 2019.
Millions of people are expected to walk out of workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers on the streets and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels.
Led by teenagers who recognize the potential threat of the global climate crisis on future generations, especially those living in poor communities most affected by climate change, the movement is striving to raise awareness to the urgency and scale of the current climate crisis. Schools around the country and globe are joining with intergenerational groups and social justice organizations to support the students in this effort.
Also, the Stuart Center website as well as websites from national and international social justice organizations will be shut down on September 20 in a show of solidarity with the students and their movement. The Stuart Center, a ministry of the United States – Canada Province, works for social justice through education, empowerment and partnership with others at the national and international level.
If you would like to support this movement in your community, go to Global Catholic Climate Movement: https://laudatosigeneration.org/rise-up/
Meg Causey, RSCJ
Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Society of the Sacred Heart, United States – Canada Province
KEY LINKS AND RESOURCES
From Catholic Climate Movement
Key Websites
- Catholic strikes worldwide on Laudato Si’ Generation website: https://laudatosigeneration.org/
- Global Climate Strikes website: https://globalclimatestrike.net/
- U.S. September 20 strike website: https://strikewithus.org/
Key Resources
Relevant Vatican Statements:
- Pope Francis World Day of Prayer statement (September 1, 2019) Includes call to action for prophetic actions in relation to young people. “This too is a season for undertaking prophetic actions. Many young people all over the world are making their voices heard and calling for courageous decisions.”
- Cardinal Turkson’s recent speech mentioning Laudato Si’ Generation and climate strikes at Laudato Si’ Conference
- Pope Francis declares Climate Emergency (June 2019)
- Pope Francis encourages Greta Thunberg during meeting
Prayer Resources
- Climate Prayer service from Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM)
- Climate Strike Prayer service from Ignatian Solidarity Network
- Climate Action Day prayer from the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Homily help for Sunday, September 15 on the climate strikes
Websites/Resources from Catholic and Other Faith-based Groups:
- Sisters of Mercy Strike Resources: includes different ways to support the day of action and banners
Resources for Schools
- Catholic Schools and the Climate Strike Movement: Overview on strikes, science, Catholic theology, and safety concerns. By Dr. Lorna Gold
- Archdiocese of Chicago has resources for schools to support the September 20 Day of Action, including a prayer service and suggested actions
- Ignatian Solidarity Network Climate Strike resources: Includes prayer resource and advocacy ask
Other Statements and Letters:
- Laudato Si Generation Manifesto
- Statement from LS Generation on why Catholics should be joining the strike, signed by youth networks
- Laudato Si’ Monthly Reflection: Climate Strikes written by Laudato Si’ Generation leader
Multi-faith Resources:
- GreenFaith is coordinating faith communities to join the September 20 strikes.
- Faith-based resources for the strikes on the StrikewithUs website: includes social media posts
- “People of faith for the climate strikes” Interfaith sign on letter to join the strikes
