As the seasons change, we are reminded of God’s greatest gift to us: the gift of creation. What are you doing this month to protect Earth? In this issue our newsletter, we share resources and opportunities for your school and parish to grow in its response to Laudato Si’.

Upcoming Events:

WEBINAR: The Root Causes of Climate Change: Understanding Extractive Industries and their Impacts
Tuesday, October 30th, 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM

The Catholic Climate Covenant and the Inter-religious Working Group on Extractive Industries invite you to join us in a one-hour webinar exploring how a faithful and just response to climate change must address the extraction and exploitation on a massive scale of natural resources such as coal, oil, and gas, with specific examples from the Southwestern United States and Peru. This webinar will highlight examples of domestic and international communities negatively impacted by the extraction of fossil fuels that cause climate change, with specific examples from the Southwestern United States and Peru. We also will consider how to avoid the damage inflicted by the fossil fuel industry, such as human rights abuses and environmental degradation, as we work to shift to a renewable energy future. Register Here 

Can Earth’s Beauty Save the World: A Film Screening and Conversation with Filmmaker John de Graaf Tuesday, November 27th, 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:15 PM; Film Screening at 7:00 PM; Q&A/ panel with the filmmaker at 8:00 PM- 8:45 PM) Seattle University, 901 12th Ave, Seattle, Wyckoff Auditorium Join us for a screening of the film REDEFINING PROSPERITY: THE GOLD RUSHES OF NEVADA CITY, showing how the fight to save a beautiful river led a small town to sustainability. The film will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker John de Graaf and GRIST. This event is co-sponsored by GRIST and Seattle University’s Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability (CEJS). Learn more.FREE Laudato Si’ Workshop! In June of 2015, Pope Francis gave us his encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, which calls all Catholics to work for the common good and care for God’s creation. Responding to this call, Catholic parishes, schools and organizations in Western Washington have come together to support one another in living out the vision of the encyclical. We are offering workshops designed to assist parishes, schools and communities in embracing and implementing Laudato Si’. To schedule a workshop contact ipjc@ipjc.org or 206.223.1138.ResourcesEarth Ministry: YES on 1631 Resources  Now is the time to create a cleaner future for Washington – and faith leaders have a role to play in making this vision a reality! Earth Ministry has worked for years with a broad coalition of partners to craft Initiative 1631, which will result in cleaner air, cleaner energy, and stronger communities. More information here.“A Weekly Tip on Caring for Our Common Home” Weekly Bulletin Inserts These “Weekly Tips on Caring for our Common Home” are intended to be put in your church bulletin each week as a reminder of how our individual actions can have a huge impact on our Earth. Use them to educate your parish community! Download here.

If you have anything to submit for the next newsletter, or our webpage, email ipjc@ipjc.org.