‘We have to do our part,’ faithful hear during climate talk

COLLINGSWOOD – Hotter temperatures. Rain forests drying and burning. Malaria flourishing in the United States.

All are possible threats in the next 25 years if the present climate crisis isn’t mitigated, Dan Misleh, founding executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, told the 50 people gathered Sept. 24 in Saint John Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish.

The crisis – reflected in the rise in global temperatures due in large part to greenhouse gas emissions – is also on track to cause decreased food production, water shortages and rising sea levels, Misleh continued.

As Catholics, “we have to do our part,” he said.

In his presentation, which included small group exercises and the unpacking of Church documents and teachings, Misleh urged his audience to “be appreciative of this wonderful creation we have and be better stewards of it.”

The “To Hope and Act with Creation” talk took place during the Catholic Church’s Season of Creation, which Pope Francis has designated as Sept. 1 to Oct. 4.

Catholic Climate Covenant was formed in 2006 with support from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Based in Washington, D.C., the nonprofit offers a range of activities and programs for all ages to engage in care of creation.

Misleh echoed Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si” (On Care For Our Common Home), and the pontiff’s words that the world is “not faced with two separate crises, one environmental and once social, but rather a complex crisis which is both. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.”

To do this, he said, Catholics must engage in daily climate action that involves the home: keeping the thermostat at 65-68 degrees in winter, and 76-78 in hot weather; shopping: buying clothes at thrift and consignment stores; travel: using public transportation, walking or biking when possible; food: reducing meat consumption and utilizing reusable shopping bags; and reaching out to legislative leaders.

Misleh also had participants prayerfully contemplate a Venn diagram in which three overlapping circles read, “What brings you joy?” “What are you good at?” and “What needs doing?” The participants were asked to share with their neighbors in the pews how they felt moved to affect climate transformation in their own communities and beyond.

Misleh also encouraged the crowd to engage with younger generations. “Let’s be a witness to the young people. We want them to stay within our Catholic community, and we want their energy, enthusiasm and smarts to solve this crisis.”

Joan Leonard, a member of the parish’s Care for Creation ministry, which co-sponsored the evening with the diocesan Office of Life & Justice Ministries, called Misleh’s visit inspiring.

“He taught us how to rise to the occasion, to fight for change. Everybody can do something to help the earth, and it’s a good thing when you do it with faith, prayer and dedication,” she said.

Dr. Michael Sims, director of the diocesan office, said the program “provided a nice balance between information, awareness and advocacy, all grounded in a contemplative space. We’re not just stewards, but part of creation.”

“To realize that we’re interdependent upon what happens in our natural environment, from the air we breathe to the food we eat, is the key,” he said.