Care for God’s Creation – Grades K-6 and Domestic Church

 

Opening Prayer

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si

 

Scripture Reading – 1st Reading of the Easter Vigil

Catechesis Video

Grades K-6

  1. How can we take care of the world God gave us?
  2. How can we make sure not to use more than we need?
  3. How can we help rebuild the environment?

Domestic Church (the home)

  1. What can your family do to care for the earth?
  2. How might your family be able to live simply?
  3. Why is it important to care for the gift of creation that God has given us?

Witness Video 

Witness Video Reflection Questions

Grades K-6

  1. What can you learn about nature when you go outside?

  2. The kids in the video studied the Magnolia Bayou. What kind of things did they learn?

  3. How did they share what they learned in art?

Domestic Church (the home)

  1. What can you learn about nature when you go outside?

  2. The kids in the video studied the Magnolia Bayou. What kind of things did they learn?

  3. What places in your area can you go to learn more about the environment?

Action Steps

Grades K-6

  1. Look around your classroom and see if there are things that are wasteful that could be reduced, recycled or eliminated? How might you reduce/stop using these items? Are there replacements that could be used?
  2. Pick one product you use in your classroom and research its entire life cycle to see where the materials come from, where and how’s it’s made, and where it goes when you are done using it.

Domestic Church (the home)

  1. Look around your house and see if there are things that are wasteful that could be reduced or eliminated? How might you reduce/stop using these items? Are there replacements that could be used?
  2. Pick one product you use in your home and research its entire life cycle to see where the materials come from, where and how’s it’s made, and where it goes when you are done using it.

Closing Prayer

Prayer for the Care of the Earth
God our Father and Creator, we give you thanks
for the wonder of creation which inspires us,
the fruit of the Earth which feeds us,
the beauty of nature which grounds us,
and the joy of life which gives us hope.
Heal the places where your creation has been marred,
and restore all creatures to the splendor of your glory,
that all may delight once again in your goodness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

From The Work of Your Hands by Diana Macalintal.
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