Laudato Si
10th Anniversary Celebration
Laudato Si
10th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10:30am – 3pm
Saint Bartholomew Church
600 Columbia Dr., San Mateo, CA 94402
– LEARN WITH US
Learn about Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ document on how to care for the World, sustainability, plus care for animals, plants, and each other.
Hear from experts on Laudato Si’, Wildfires and Reforestation plus first-hand experiences from the devastation in the Philippines and California.
– PRAY WITH US
We’ll open the day praying the Four Winds Song.Later, we’ll pray St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures with us then write your own prayers and intentions for our world. We’ll plant our prayers at the root of two Palm trees which will be planted on that day at St Bartholomew Church.
CELEBRATE WITH US
Join the Laudato Si Flash Mob Dance after lunch!
Learn the dance by watching this video or at lunch on the day of.
PLANT TREES WITH US – DONATE FUNDS FOR REFORESTATION
From now until April 31, we’re raising funds to reforest devastated areas in California, Australia and the Philippines.
APPEALING FOR YOUR SUPPORT
- We’re partnering with Sisters of Social Service to plant trees in celebration of their 100th Year as an order.
- All donors will receive a certificate thanking them for their support.
- Donors who gift $20 or more will receive a blessed, olive-wood pocket cross.
- If you need help leading your group, ministry, school and/or parish in a collection drive, contact [email protected]
SCHEDULE
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| 10:30 AM | Check-in |
| 10:45 AM | Opening Prayer: Four Corners Song |
| 11:00 AM | Learn about Laudato Si’ Fr Chris Bologo, MA PhD Candidate, Ecological Theology |
| 11:30 AM | Rainforests and Reforestation Branden Barber, CEO Rainforest Rescue |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch (bring your lunch – coffee, water (still & sparkling), iced tea and lemonade will be available throughout the day |
| 12:30 PM | Celebrate! Laudato Si Flash Mob Dance All are welcome to join! |
| 12:35 PM | Healing the Earth, One Tree at a Time Sr Nodelyn Abayan, SSS Sisters of Social Service |
| 1:00 PM | Wildfires, Forests & Laudato Si Werner Goveya, IT Research Specialist Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Institute |
| 1:30 PM | Our Beautiful and Troubling Sibling: Brother Fire Fr Bobby Barbato, OFM CAP. Rector, National Shrine of St. Francis |
| 2:00 PM | Prayer Service: Canticle of the Sun |
| 2:30 PM | Tree Planting & Sending Forth 2 Palm Trees will be planted on the grounds of St Bartholomew Church Fr Paul Arnault, Pastor St Bartholomew Church |
Laudato si’ is an Italian phrase that translates to “praised be to you”. It is the title of an encyclical by Pope Francis, which was released in 2015. The encyclical’s full title is Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home.
READ THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
But to be clear, the best way to fully understand Laudato Si’ and Pope Francis’ teachings isn’t by reading a Laudato Si’ summary; it’s by reading and studying the 184-page encyclical letter. To truly grasp Pope Francis’ messages, you’ll need to read Laudato Si’ more than once.
But it also can be helpful to review a Laudato Si’ summary from time to time and remind yourself how Pope Francis, relying on thousands of years of Catholic teaching, calls on all of us to live out our faith by caring for our common home.
Below, Laudato Si’ Movement has compiled a handful of helpful Laudato Si’ summaries that, when put into action, will help you bring Pope Francis’ encyclical to life in your community.
We’re also sharing our own Laudato Si’ summary about what is Laudato Si’, why this encyclical is so important, and how we can bring Laudato Si’ to life.