Our Lady of Waste Management: Resources for going green

Looking to apply your faith to care for creation? Here are some resources for doing so:

From the church:

• Renewing the Earth [1]: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Peace with All Creation [2], Pope John Paul II
• If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation, [3] Pope Benedict XVI
• The Cry of the Earth [4], from the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference
• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Statement on Climate Change [5]

Catholic and Ecumenical organizations

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Environmental Justice Program [6] calls Catholics to a deeper respect for God's creation and engages parishes in activities that deal with environmental problems, particularly as they affect the poor.

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change [7] was launched in 2006 to help the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic community address the moral implications of climate change, considering who is most impacted and offering guidance for what the Catholic community should do in response.

The National Religious Partnership for the Environment [8] is an association the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches U.S.A., the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, and the Evangelical Environmental Network. Together, they seek to offer resources of religious life and moral vision to a universal effort to protect humankind's common home and well-being on Earth.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference [9] applies the teachings of Jesus Christ for the betterment of rural America and care of God's creation.

Center of Concern [10] is a faith-based organization working in collaboration with ecumenical and interfaith networks to bring a prophetic voice for social and economic justice to a global context

The Catholic Conservation Center [11] features an extensive collection of writings about ecology and the environment from a variety of Roman Catholic sources.

Interfaith Power and Light [12] has resources for parishes and a list of state organizations to partner with.

Earth Healing [13] features reflections and essays by Father Al Fristch, SJ, and others.

Books

Catholics Going Green: A Small-Group Guide for Learning and Living Environmental Justice [14] by Walter E. Grazer (Ave Maria Press, May 2009) - This small-group resource examines basic environmental justice themes through the lens of Catholic social teaching and scripture.

Ten Commandments for the Environment; Pope Benedict Speaks Out for Creation and Justice [15] by Woodene Koenig-Bricker (Ave Maria Press, May 2009)

Earth-Wise: A Biblical Response to Environmental Issues (Issues in Christian Living) 2nd Edition [16] by Cal Dewitt - Biblical reasons for stewarding nature. He reminds us of how much our survival depends on biodiversity, clean air, soil, and water, and beauty.

Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action [17] by J. Matthew Sleeth - Zondervan (April 1, 2007) Evangelical Sleeth shares his family's journey to simplicity, stronger relationships, and richer spiritual lives, and relates a prescription for sustainable living.

The Mission Driven Parish [18] by Patrick J. Brennan (Paperback - Feb 28, 2007)

Time, Talent, And Treasure: Reflections on the U.S. Bishops' Model for Parish Stewardship [19] by C. Justin Clements (Paperback - Aug 1, 2006)

Becoming a Community of Salt and Light: Formation for Parish Social Ministry [20] by Peggy Prevoznik Heins (Paperback - Sep 2003)

This article appeared in the April 2010 issue of U.S. Catholic (Vol. 75, No. 4, pages 12-17).