Care for Creation

Universal Apostolic Preferences

Universal Apostolic Preferences are the fruit of a process of discernment lasting almost two years. All Jesuits, in collaboration with lay partners in ministry throughout the world, have spent time in reflection and dialogue to discern the core principles that will guide our mission for the next ten years. These themes were presented to Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who, with the approval and directive of Pope Francis, crafted them into our new four Universal Apostolic Preferences. They give a horizon, a point of reference to the whole Society of Jesus. They capture our imaginations and awaken our desires. They unite us in our mission. The new Preferences are four areas vital for our world today. 

The Society of Jesus will pay special attention to them in the next ten years. We invite you to learn more and take action with us! We want to make a Gospel difference. Each of the ministries sponsored by the Jesuits will be encouraged to incorporate these core principles into their service wherever possible. As we consider new initiatives, we will look to these important horizons to point us to where the needs are greatest. I invite you to learn more about the Universal Apostolic Preferences and how the Society will use them to animate and orient our service around the world.

The Four Universal Apostolic Preferences

1. Promoting discernment and the Spiritual Exercises
2. Walking with the excluded
3. Caring for our common home
4. Journeying with youth 
Learn about the Apostolic Preferences

God's Dream

Our faith is one that wants creation to be cherished and renewed. A whole new way of living opens up as a consequence of a personal and passionate relationship with Jesus. We get the grace to transcend ourselves (Laudato Si’, 208). We get new strength to care for others and for creation (LS, 217). We can live with a new horizon, embracing Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom of God, of a renewed and transformed world and ecosystem where we are all brothers and sisters, responsible to each other. Learn about "Caring for our Common Home"

The Care for Creation Committee aims to:

• Provide information about climate change and to foster activities that reduce its negative effects
• At the parish level we try to highlight practical steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint and to foster hope and forward movement
• We try to keep up with policy proposals at the local, state, and national levels so that our community can be part of a moral/spiritual voice on issues such as alternative energy sources, oil pipelines, and renewable energy standards
• Increase awareness of moral and faith issues related to environmental issues, as outlined in Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis’s encyclical on environmental stewardship
• Encourage individuals and households to help promote sustainable living
  
• Work toward healing environmental injustices that often hurt poor and marginalized people the most

(Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash)

Past activities of our ministry have included:

• Conducting energy audits of St. Thomas More facilities, including both church and school buildings, with an eye toward improving energy efficiency as possible.
• Holding a public prayer circle to celebrate the release of Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.
• Sponsoring a panel discussion with University of St. Thomas theology students on Laudato Si.
  
• All parishioners are welcome to participate in our Care for Creation Committee! Meetings are held approximately every other month in church or school facilities. Watch the STM bulletin and website for announcements. For more information, contact Lorraine, Committee Chair: 651-644-3315 or Brian Hefer in the Parish Office: 651-227-7669 x 311.