Description: Invite young adults to read and discuss Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment. This conversation will reveal ways God is calling all of us to greater care for God’s creation.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: Begin planning about six weeks before your program and begin publicity four weeks in advance. (The longer lead time in planning will give your volunteer team time to read and reflect on the encyclical.)
- Volunteers Needed: Recruit a facilitator for your conversation and two-three young adults to help with preparation and cleanup. This team can meet once before the event to touch base about the topics to be covered and specific preparation details.
- Supplies: Copies of Laudato Si (download here or purchase here), handouts with the discussion questions, nametags and markers, snacks/refreshments, audio/visual equipment if you would like to share the “Top 10 Things You Need to Know about Pope Francis’ Laudato Si” video to the group. We recommend using the USCCB’s free encyclical discussion guide as a basis for your conversation. (For other options, see the “Recommends” section.)
- Reserve the Space: Reserve a comfortable space at the parish for your conversation. You will want room for everyone to sit in a circle. Tables aren’t necessary, except for one to hold your snacks and handouts.
- Ideal Group Size: This program is appropriate for anywhere from five-25 people. If you anticipate a larger group, you might consider offering this program twice in the same week to keep the group size a little more manageable for discussion.
- Who is this for? All young adults.
- When is a good time for this? If your parish has a “young adult” mass or a mass that has a lot of young adults attending, you should schedule this event after that mass. Keep in mind, if that falls near a mealtime, you should provide more substantial refreshments. Another good time for this event is a weekday evening. Poll your group to see what time they prefer.
- Publicize the Program:
- One month before the event, make announcements in the parish bulletin, parish or young adult ministry website, your regular social media outlets, and any other methods you use to communicate with young adults.
- Send an e-mail to the young adult community and encourage young adults to invite visitors who might be interested in the topic of the environment.
- Share photos and reflections from your “Creation Conversation” on your parish or young adult ministry website and social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Prayer for Program Planner: Creator God, help us to be open to what the Holy Spirit has in store during this time of conversation and reflection on the pope’s encyclical. May we be open to hearing your call to work toward being better stewards of the world around us and caring for the people who live in it, especially those in greatest need. Amen.
Community Building: The group of young adults who participate in this conversation will have the chance to get to know one another better and explore possibilities for working together to care for creation in your parish community and in the wider world.
