Ignatian PeaceAction
The Ignatian Family Praying and Acting for Peace with Creation - Easter to Pentecost
We invite you to join us for this year's Ignatian PeaceAction: Peace with Creation.
In the spirit of ecclesial solidarity, we join with the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change in dedicating a day of prayer during the Easter season and encouraging the Ignatian family to make the "The St. Francis Pledge to Protect Creation and the Poor." We find inspiration from General Congregation 35: "we have been moved anew by the cry of those suffering the consequences of environmental destruction." (D. 3, n. 34)
The aim of the PeaceAction is to assist your group in engaging the issue of climate change, either to support your initial efforts or sustain your existing initiatives. Materials to facilitate your planning from the Catholic Coalition are at www.catholicclimatecovenant.org.
Participation in the PeaceAction is easy and flexible to accommodate your schedule and context. We invite your group’s participation at whatever level is appropriate.
First, we ask you to designate a 'day of prayer' on the theme, 'Peace with Creation' sometime during the Easter season (April 12 – May 30, 2009). The day of prayer will take the form of a prayer session or liturgy which includes the Ignatian PeaceAction prayer linking us all together. Groups are free (but not obligated) to build any additional activities around this Ignatian PeaceAction prayer/liturgy (a presentation, discussion, shared meal or some form of service). If you decide to participate, please contact your JCSIM representative or outreach@jesuit.org to let us know the date you have chosen.
Second, please consider if it's right for your group to individually or collectively take the 'St. Francis Pledge' (available at the Catholic Coalition website listed above). If you do so, please let us know. We encourage you to register with the Catholic Coalition website as well. Those who accept the pledge will be supported in a process that begins with prayer and moves to education, assessment, action and advocacy. We will support this process fully throughout 2009-2010 by promoting the resources on the Catholic Coalition’s website for education and assessment, highlighting opportunities for advocacy and participating in the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s Spring Teach-In on climate change in 2010. (www.ignatiansolidarity.net)
Third, we welcome any information you might like to share about your institution's history of past actions and current commitments if you are already active on climate change issues. Please share this information with your JCSIM representative or outreach@jesuit.org as well.
Below, please find a resource packet that includes the prayer that will be prayed across the US during the PeaceAction; FAQS; a resource sheet about the Catholic Coalition; and the list of this year's participants. A prayer card and more materials will soon be available.
"With passion for environmental justice, we shall meet once again the Spirit of God seeking to liberate a suffering creation, which demands of us space to live and breathe." (GC 35, D. 2, n. 24) Let us embrace this opportunity to express our desire for 'peace with creation' and how it can assist us in forming right relationships with one another, especially the poor.
Sincerely,
Jesuit Commission on Social Ministries
Prayer for the Environmental Common Good
By Jane Deren
Center of Concern Education for Justice
www.educationforjustice.org
As we breathe the very air which sustains us,
We remember your love, God, which gives us life.
Fill us with your compassion for Creation.
Empty us of apathy, selfishness and fear,
of all pessimism and hesitation.
Breathe into us solidarity with all who suffer now
and the future generations who will suffer
because of our environmental irresponsibility.
Move us into action to save our earth and
to build your sustainable Kingdom.
Amen.
2009 Ignatian PeaceAction Roll Call sorted by date and planned action [PDF]