Discover how to create a Laudato Si’ Plan with this guide, outlining seven steps from reflection to action, to embody the teachings of Laudato Si’ and make impactful environmental and social changes.
Creating a Laudato Si’ Plan serves as your comprehensive roadmap to effecting meaningful change. This guide is designed to lead you through the process of formulating a plan that not only engages the teachings of Laudato Si’, but also empowers us to forge the realities we aspire to live in.
Step 1: Reflect and Pray
Begin your journey with reflection and prayer. Consider the messages of Laudato Si’ and how they resonate with your personal call to stewardship. Pray for guidance, wisdom, and the courage to see the realities of our world and be moved to action. This spiritual grounding will be the foundation of your plan.
“God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.”
Given in Rome at Saint Peter’s on 24 May, the Solemnity of Pentecost, in the year 2015, the third of Pope Francis’ Pontificate.
Step 2: Engage Your Community
No one acts alone in the work of caring for creation. Engage with your community, whether it’s your parish, school, workplace, or with your loved ones and neighbors. Host a meeting or workshop to discuss the values and goals of Laudato Si’. This collaborative approach ensures diverse perspectives and talents come together to strengthen your plan.
Step 3: Conduct an Ecological Review
Take an honest look at your current practices and their impact on the environment. This could involve energy usage, waste management, water conservation, and more. Tools like carbon footprint calculators and environmental audits can help assess where you stand and identify areas for improvement.
Calculate Your Baseline Impact Here
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform provides a tool for this. Sign in and complete our quick survey to see where your environmental efforts are needed most.
Step 4: Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Following your ecological assessment, establish goals that are clearly defined, quantifiable, realistic, pertinent to your mission, and constrained by specific deadlines.
These goals should address both the environmental and social dimensions of your community’s life, reflecting the holistic approach of Laudato Si’.
For example, a goal could be to reduce energy consumption by 10% within the next year or to organize monthly community clean-up events.
Platform participant Flavio Nakaoka transforms a large Japanese-Brazilian festival in São Paulo, Brazil into an eco-friendly event as a part of his Laudato Si’ Plan. Read more here.
Step 5: Develop Actionable Strategies
For each goal, outline clear strategies and actions that will help you achieve it. This might include installing energy-efficient lighting, starting a recycling program, or creating educational materials on environmental care. Ensure your actions are practical and tailored to your community’s capabilities and resources.
The St. Thomas More parish in Chapel Hill, the United States has implemented many action strategies, such as establishing a recycling program and capturing rainwater for their buildings. Read more here.
Remember to sign into the platform and check the “suggested actions” on your dashboard to find suitable activities.
Check Your Suggested Actions Here
Step 6: Implement, Monitor, and Adapt
With your plan in place, it’s time to take action. Implementation should be accompanied by regular monitoring to track progress towards your goals. Be prepared to adapt your strategies as needed. Celebrate milestones and successes to keep your community motivated and engaged.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Caritas Nigeria count all the trees planted across dioceses as a part of their national Catholic tree-growing campaign. Read more here.
Step 7: Share Your Journey
Your Laudato Si’ Plan is not just about making changes within your community—it’s also about inspiring others to take action. Share your journey, challenges, successes, and lessons learned through blogs, social media, community meetings, and other platforms. Your story can spark action across the global community.
Resources and Support
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform offers resources, events, and a network of communities engaged in similar work. Whether you’re looking for practical guides, inspirational stories, or opportunities for collaboration, the platform is here to support you.
Creating a Laudato Si’ Plan is a journey—one that challenges us to live more sustainably and justly in our common home. By following these steps and working together, we can turn the vision of Laudato Si’ into a reality for our communities and for the world. Let’s embark on this journey with hope, courage, and action.