
Gift, Gratitude, and Joy Program
Click on a Session for Resources and Links
Resources and Links
Session 1
The Gospel of Creation
Considering Water
Welcome
Getting out of a Bind Game
Explore
Choose from the following Options:
Why Care for the Environment (Laudato Si Explained) [Runtime 9:11]
CST 101 - Care for God's Creation [Runtime 3:04]
Bishop Barron on Pope Francis' Encyclical "Laudato Si" [Runtime 3:38]
Making It Real
The Water Quiz
Sending Off With An Adventure
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Calculate water usage & thank God for the gift of clean water.
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Fast from water. Choose a water conservation suggestion from this list & pray for those who do not have access to clean water.
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Read and reflect on Wisdom 13:1-5. Choose an activity of your own that stems from this text.
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Read this CBS news article about animal population decline and consider what you will do knowing what you now know about human effects on creation.
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Spend time outdoors meditating on perspective: Meditation Instructions
Session 2
How We Know God,
A Franciscan Perspective
Considering Food
Explore
How we know god, A Franciscan Perspective with Fr. John Celechowski [Runtime 23:38]
Making It Real
The Food Waste Quiz
Sending Off With An Adventure
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Fast from meat this week and remember our brothers and sisters who don’t have access to meat.
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Collect and weigh all food wasted in your household this week.
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Read and reflect on Philippians 2:1-13. Choose an activity of your own that stems from this text.
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Read this article about the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and consider what you will do knowing what you now know about equitable access to food and food waste.
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Write or sketch your own Canticle of Praise for Creation.
Closing Prayer
Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon (~St. Francis of Assisi) by John Michael Talbot [Runtime 3:58]
Session 3
Sharing Gift With Gratitude
Considering Waste
Explore
Sharing Gift with Gratitude with Catherine Orr [Runtime 28:53]
Making It Real
Where Does It Go?
Sending Off With An Adventure
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Watch the story of bottled water and consider what you will do knowing what you now know about human effects on creation.
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Inventory your pantry and consider what packaging can be eliminated by changing your purchasing habits, and what should be recycled versus landfilled.
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Fast from single use plastics (bottled water, bags, ziplocks, straws, plasticware, and styrofoam) and thank God for all God has provided.
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Take a garbage bag with you on walks to pick up litter.
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Read and reflect on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Choose an activity of your own that stems from this text.
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Spend time in prayer looking at nature: Visio Divina.
Session 4
Finding Joy in Simplicity
Considering Consumption
Explore
Finding Joy in Simplicity with Joe Meyer [Runtime 35:53]
Making It Real
Resource Use
Sending Off With An Adventure
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Watch the story of stuff and consider what you will do knowing what you now know about human effects on creation.
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Choose a waste reduction opportunity from this list and pray for more simplicity in your life.
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Determine how you can fast from our 102 ton legacy.
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Read and reflect on 1 Timothy 4:4-5. Choose an activity of your own that stems from this text.
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Take a prayer walk in nature: Prayer walk instructions.
Closing Prayer
Play the song or watch the music video “Everything is Holy Now” [Runtime 4:55]
Session 5
We are "All in All" in God
Considering Energy
Explore
We are "All in All" in God with Debra Schneider [Runtime 21:47]
Making It Real
Environmental Justice Activity
Sending Off With An Adventure
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Fast from energy (consciously reduce your usage by choosing from this list) and pray for those who are negatively affected by the burning of fossil fuels.
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Read and reflect on Ephesians 4:1-6. Choose an activity of your own that stems from this text.
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Calculate your carbon footprint. Consider how you can reduce your footprint.
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Use the EPA's mapping tool to further explore how your actions impact your neighbors.
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Find a comfortable place outside to listen to a guided meditation
Closing Prayer
Play the song or watch the music video “Majestic” [Runtime 2:49]
Session 6
Seeing with New Eyes
Explore
Choose from the following Options:
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Restoring Relationships, a guided discussion
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Find a Guest Speaker - Contact WCGT
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Resources for Beginning a Creation Care Ministry
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Dreamcasting Exercise
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Watch and Discuss Alice's Garden [Runtime 9:33]
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Further Exploring Laudato Si
Making It Real
Bringing It Home
Build Your Own Adventure
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Conduct an Ecological examination of conscience.
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Get involved in a local organization, such as the Waukesha County Green Team, the Waukesha County Creation Care Network, or your parish creation care ministry.
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Pick one simple act from this list, followed by another, and another.
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Read Laudato Si individually or as a group using this US Conference of Catholic Bishops discussion guide.
Program Presenters
