God saw how good it was. Gen. 1:10 God looked at what he had made, and God found it very good. Gen. 1:31

God said to Noah and to his sons: “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants, and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. Gen. 9:8-10

Psalms O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth. Ps. 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth. Ps. 8:1 You fixed the earth on its foundation, never to be moved. Ps. 104:5 You fixed the earth on its foundation, never to be moved. Ps. 104:5 Praise God, highest heavens. Let them all praise the Lord’s name; for the Lord commanded and they were created. Ps. 148:5 Praise God, highest heavens. Let them all praise the Lord’s name; for the Lord commanded and they were created. Ps. 148:5

Parables When Jesus wanted to listen to God deeply he went to the hills to pray, desert to discern and mountains talk with God. Jesus said, Look at the flowers of the field…Will God not much more care for you? Luke 12:27, 28

Church Teaching Rerum Novarum (1891) claimed that the goods of the Earth are for all to share Rerum Novarum (1891) claimed that the goods of the Earth are for all to share Quadragesimo Anno (1913) suggested limits on private ownership Quadragesimo Anno (1913) suggested limits on private ownership Pacem in Terris (1963) stated that sharing was essential for peace and justice Pacem in Terris (1963) stated that sharing was essential for peace and justice Octogesima Adveniens (1971) the Church took the reference to the environment one small step further. Octogesima Adveniens (1971) the Church took the reference to the environment one small step further.

Justice in the World, (1971) international synod of bishops - first significant magisterial declaration characterizing environmental degradation as a violence carried out by wealthy consumers against the poor.. Puts the environmental issue squarely on the table. Justice in the World, (1971) international synod of bishops - first significant magisterial declaration characterizing environmental degradation as a violence carried out by wealthy consumers against the poor.. Puts the environmental issue squarely on the table. Redemptor Hominis (1979) warns against needless exploitation of Earth, observing that Earth's resources are being depleted at an ever-increasing rate and putting intolerable pressure on the environment. Redemptor Hominis (1979) warns against needless exploitation of Earth, observing that Earth's resources are being depleted at an ever-increasing rate and putting intolerable pressure on the environment. Sollicitude Rei Socialis (1987) addresses ecology in a substantive manner. Speaks of respect for the natural world and of the mutual connection among all created things in the cosmos Sollicitude Rei Socialis (1987) addresses ecology in a substantive manner. Speaks of respect for the natural world and of the mutual connection among all created things in the cosmos

The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility - Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all Creation ( World Day of Peace message) major breakthrough in Roman Catholic official teaching on environment, entirely devoted to environmental concerns. The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility - Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all Creation ( World Day of Peace message) major breakthrough in Roman Catholic official teaching on environment, entirely devoted to environmental concerns. U.S. Bishops: Renewing the Face of the Earth Being good stewards is a moral issue Renewing the Face of the Earth Being good stewards is a moral issue Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good - concern for how climate change affects our brothers and sisters living in poverty throughout the world. Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good - concern for how climate change affects our brothers and sisters living in poverty throughout the world.

Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation Pope Paul VI

There is a growing awareness that world peace is threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts, and continued injustice among peoples and nations, peoples and nations, but also by a lack of due respect for nature.... but also by a lack of due respect for nature.... Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II

Creation therefore remains a kind of first revelation which speaks to us clearly of the Creator and which can lead us ever more deeply into the mystery of God’s love for us. Pope John Paul II January, 2002 Creation therefore remains a kind of first revelation which speaks to us clearly of the Creator and which can lead us ever more deeply into the mystery of God’s love for us. Pope John Paul II January, 2002 No peaceful society can afford to neglect either respect for life or the fact that there is an integrity to creation. Pope John Paul II January, 2002 No peaceful society can afford to neglect either respect for life or the fact that there is an integrity to creation. Pope John Paul II January, 2002

Our earth speaks to us, and we must listen if we want to survive. Our earth speaks to us, and we must listen if we want to survive. Pope Benedict XVI, July 24, 2007  Rediscovery of the Face of the Creator in Creation, to rediscover in the Creator’s Presence our responsibility for his Creation. Pope Benedict XVI, World Youth Day, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI, World Youth Day, 2008  Pope Benedict has made the Vatican carbon neutral.  Pope Benedict instructed the organizers of the Vatican Youth gathering in Rome to use products made through the recycling process.

There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions (211) There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions (211) The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains – everything is, as it were, a caress of God. (84) The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains – everything is, as it were, a caress of God. (84)

Action from U.S. Bishops Seven Core Principles of Catholic Social Teaching Seven Core Principles of Catholic Social Teaching Creation of the website catholicsandclimatechange.org and catholicclimatecovenant.org Creation of the website catholicsandclimatechange.org and catholicclimatecovenant.org Asking all Catholics to take the St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and our brothers and sisters who live in poverty. Asking all Catholics to take the St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and our brothers and sisters who live in poverty.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING Care for Creation Seventh Principle of the Core Principles of Catholic Social Teaching We show respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a REQUIREMENT of our faith. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and our brothers and sisters who live in poverty I/We Pledge to: PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable. PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable. LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change. LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change. ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc. ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc. ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change. ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change. ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable. ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.

Diocese of Buffalo 2007 – Grant from NYS Catholic Conference of Bishops to be used to educate the people of the diocese on the moral issue of care for creation. Creation of Diocesan Care for Creation Committee 2007 – Grant from NYS Catholic Conference of Bishops to be used to educate the people of the diocese on the moral issue of care for creation. Creation of Diocesan Care for Creation Committee Fall of 2007 and 2008 – workshops on how parishes and families can make decisions that are in good relationship with creation REDUCE, REUSE, RECYLE. Fall of 2007 and 2008 – workshops on how parishes and families can make decisions that are in good relationship with creation REDUCE, REUSE, RECYLE – working with diocesan departments 2009 – working with diocesan departments

Services to Parishes offered by the Diocesan Care for Creation Committee Contact persons in each parish who will assist parish in educating parishioners Contact persons in each parish who will assist parish in educating parishioners Bulletin announcements Bulletin announcements Updates from Catholic Coalition on Climate Change – Covenant and Pledge Updates from Catholic Coalition on Climate Change – Covenant and Pledge Fundraisers using compact florescent bulbs Fundraisers using compact florescent bulbs Presentations on scripture, church teaching and caring for creation addressing many issues Presentations on scripture, church teaching and caring for creation addressing many issues

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us, and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs. St. Francis of Assisi

Let us pray from Daniel 3:74 Let the earth bless the Lord; Response: Praise and exalt him forever Mountains and hills bless the Lord … Everything growing from the earth bless the Lord …. Seas and rivers bless the Lord…. All you birds of the air, bless the Lord… All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord ….