Laudato SI Discussion Guide - USCCB

1 Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS: Overview Materials Room Set-up Meeting Outline Discussion Questions Our Common Home A Moral and Spiritual Issue We are Not God Integral Ecology Care for Persons in Poverty Creating a Culture of Solidarity, Encounter and Relationship Climate Change Protecting Human Life Global Solidarity Eucharist and Creation Time to Act as Individuals and Communities A Time to Act Civil and Political Leaders A Reason to Hope Social Encyclical Primer Taking Action Additional Resources Copyright 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice. All quotes from Popes and Vatican sources, copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City.

2 All rights reserved. Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide 3 OVERVIEW This Discussion Guide , for use with Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si , can help small groups explore and dialogue with this important document. The Guide includes materials for prayer, reflection and Discussion , as well as ideas to help Catholics respond to Pope Francis message. The Discussion section of the Guide includes quotes and Discussion questions on a variety of themes highlighted in Laudato Si . The facilitator should decide in advance which topics will be covered during this session. Given the number of rich themes on which Pope Francis focuses in Laudato Si , you may wish to spread the topics among several sessions. MATERIALS At least a week in advance, make the following materials available to participants: A full copy of Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si . You can order copies of the encyclical from , or get the text of the encyclical online at The Social Encyclical Primer handout, included with this facilitator s Guide Bring to the session (or make available electronically): A few extra copies of the encyclical Copies of the Social Encyclical Primer handout Copies of the Action Ideas handout ROOM SET-UP Arrange the chairs in a circle and set up a prayer space with an open Bible on a low table in the center of the circle.

3 Open the Bible to Genesis 1. MEETING OUTLINE I. Introductions 5 minutes Invite everyone to briefly introduce himself or herself, and to share why he or she came. Keep the introductions brief. II. Opening Prayer & Introductory Reflections 5 minutes Invite everyone to place herself or himself in the presence of God. Reader: Read the Story of Creation in Genesis 1:1 2:3. Pause for silent reflection on the Word of God for about 20 seconds. Leader: Together, we now pray the Canticle of the Creatures, from St. Francis of Assisi. Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide 4 All: Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of you, Most High. Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

4 Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through whom you give sustenance to your creatures. Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and III. Background Information 5 minutes Welcome everyone and remind them that the purpose of the gathering is to reflect in faith on Pope Francis encyclical, Laudato Si . The title is taken from the first line of the encyclical, Laudato Si , mi Signore, or Praise be to you, my Lord. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. An encyclical is a letter that is a teaching document by the Holy Father.

5 A social encyclical applies the consistent, traditional moral teachings of the Church to the social and economic challenges of the current day. Use the Social Encyclical Primer handout to provide additional background information on social encyclicals, including a list of previous social encyclicals and the themes they addressed. IV. Discussion 30 minutes Provide some guidelines for the Discussion . Remind the participants that the purpose of the Discussion is to explore our faith and how we are to live it out in the world, not to debate with one another. Some groups find it helpful to use the mutual invitation method to move the sharing along. Each participant shares his or her reflections to a question, and then invites another person who has not shared to do so. Be sure that everyone has an opportunity to respond to each question. 1 1999 Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University, St.

6 Bonaventure, NY. Francis of Assisi : Early Documents The Saint, Vol 1, pg 113-114, edited by Regis J. Armstrong, Wayne Hellmann, William J. Short published by New City Press, Hyde Park, NY. Used with permission. Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide 5 To help create a positive space for faith sharing, ask the participants to observe these simple guidelines: Listen carefully. Use I statements. (Take responsibility for what you express. Do not speak for them. ) Help all to participate. (Do not dominate.) Stay on the topic and stay focused on Pope Francis message. Be respectful and charitable at all times. Use the Discussion pages below. V. Follow up Actions 10 minutes Review the handout on Taking Action. Invite members of the group to discuss and share ways they can act on what they have learned as family members, workers, owners, consumers, and voters. Brainstorm what lifestyle changes you can make as an individual or family to reduce your own consumption in order to better protect God s creation.

7 Join the Catholic bishops to advocate for laws and policies that address environmental problems, especially as they affect poor and vulnerable people ( ). As a family, parish, school, or other community, take the St. Francis Pledge ( ) to care for creation and persons in poverty. Closing Prayer 5 minutes Prayer Leader: Let us close by offering intentions based on today s reflections and conversation. In a moment, I will start us off with a couple of examples. I invite you to then add your own. After each intention, we will respond, Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for the gift of awe and wonder, that we may recognize God s creation as gift, let us pray to the We pray for God s help to work together to protect our common home, let us pray to the Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide 6 After participants are done offering intentions, conclude with the following prayer from Laudato Si . A Christian prayer in union with creation Father, we praise you with all your creatures.

8 They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love. Praise be to you! Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made. You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory. Praise be to you! Holy Spirit, by your light you Guide this world towards the Father s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you! Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is. God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

9 Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen. Dismissal or Fellowship Thank the participants for sharing their reflections and wish them safe travel home. Or, you may wish to invite participants to share in refreshments and fellowship after the session. Some groups may want to close with sharing the sign of peace. If there will be future sessions, be sure to announce details about the next meeting. Laudato Si : On Care For Our Common Home Discussion Guide 7 OUR COMMON HOME I urgently appeal .. for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet.

10 We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. (no. 14) The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all. (no. 23) The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. (no. 13) Questions 1. Pope Francis calls for dialogue that includes everyone. Who should be included in the conversation who may currently not be? With whom are Catholics called to dialogue about the future of our common home? 2. The climate belongs to all and is meant for all, yet a disproportionate amount of the earth s resources are consumed by the United States and other wealthy countries. What does Pope Francis propose must happen in order to address this? A MORAL AND SPIRITUAL ISSUE The universe as a whole, in all its manifold relationships, shows forth the inexhaustible riches of God.