On October 4, 2023, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis issued the Apostolic Exhortation, “Laudate Deum”.  Many people wonder why we need another document.  Don’t we already have Laudato Si?  Others think, why in October 2023? What was so special about then?

To help answer these questions, and also to reflect more deeply on what Pope Francis is telling us, and asking of us in these two documents, we’ve decided, as the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi, to use our Lenten Series to take a closer look.

On February 21 and 28, we’ll review “Laudato Si” ­­­­7 years after it was written, focussing on the voices of the poor, the youth, the Indigenous and the wildlife.  We’ll use “The Letter”, a film released on October 4, 2022, to accompany a number of people from around the world who each received a letter of invitation from Pope Francis.  We’ll watch and listen as they come to Rome to meet with him in-person to explain how the climate crisis is affecting them and their communities.

On March 6, we’ll take a deeper dive into Pope Francis’ message as we’ll listen to young Catholic climate activists talk about their work on the frontline of advancing non-violence. Their presentations come from the 5-part series, “Called to Care: The Intersection of Nonviolence and Care for Creation”, presented by the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, a project of Pax Christi International, in October 2023. 

On March 13, we’ll use the same series to learn about the theological foundations of environmental justice from Fr. Emmanuel Katongole.  We’ll also hear from Dr. Anupama Ranawana, speaking at “Spirit-led: An Interfaith Call to Climate Justice”, an online conference sponsored by For the Love of Creation, a Canadian organization, in April 2023.

Finally, on March 20, we’ll experience the launch of “Laudate Deum” on October 4, 2023, joining people from around the world as they reflect on how Laudate Deum expands on Laudato Si.

Each session will include prayer, video presentations, and an opportunity for small group reflection.  Thanks to the pivoting we all learned during the height of COVID, the sessions will be in hybrid format:  you can participate by Zoom in the comfort of your own home OR you can come to St. Francis of Assisi church to participate with others in person.  As we did with the Indigenous Lenten Series in 2022, sessions will be available both afternoons, from 1:30 to 3:00 and evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30.  And, best of all, there is no cost to attend.

So tell your family, tell your friends, mark your calendars and plan to attend.  Everyone is welcome.  However, to prevent Zoom bombing, we need you to register ahead of time.  If you want to attend by Zoom, email aasandymilne@gmail.com.  We can accommodate up to 100 people online at each session.   We’ll send you the Zoom invitation between Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday of Lent.  If you want to meet in person at St. Francis parish for the series, call 519-745-7301 to reserve your place with Amanda.  Seating is limited.

I sincerely hope that many of you will come out to this thoughtful and prayerful look at Pope Francis’ plea to Care for Our Common Home.

Fr. Paul Voisin, CR