Pastor's Corner, July 12, 2015

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Pope Francis recently published a new encyclical letter entitled Laudato Si’ (“Praise be to You”). The title comes from the famous canticle of St. Francis of Assisi in which he reminds us that creation is our common home and that she is “like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us” (1).

Many news outlets said that the encyclical was all about global warming. This is far from the truth. Essentially, the Holy Father speaks to us about our duty to be a good steward of creation. Certainly climate change is an important topic and Pope Francis speaks clearly about it. However, there is so much more to the encyclical than a particular political point of view or solution to a social problem. In the next several weeks I would like to explore some of the major themes of this encyclical. I hope it will be a catalyst for you to read the letter and discover the deeply biblical doctrines of this new social encyclical.

Pope Francis outlines the reason for Laudato Si’ in the second paragraph, “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her” (2).

As we go through the encyclical we may find ourselves making an examination of conscience with regard to our use and/or abuse of the great gift of creation. I think the Pope wants that to happen so that we become better stewards of His gifts.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker