Faith, Mission & the Earth

DEC. 2009 

 

Our World, Our Future

Young people from 44 countries are demanding that world leaders take decisive action on climate change. The time for talk is over, they declared at the end of a weeklong Children's Climate Forum here. "Our plates are empty due to drought. Our future is at risk, and we demand that something be done," they wrote in a declaration titled "Our World, Our Future" signed by 164 participants aged 14 to 17 at the conclusion of the forum. 

"I don't want my future compromised by inaction on climate," said Bipra Biswambhara, 16, of India. Biswambhara and many of her fellow delegates were "shocked to learn how many people and parts of the world are already affected by climate change", she told TerraViva. "We youth are committed to taking action in our home communities," she said. More... 

 

 

First Teaching of Pope on the Environment

A groundbreaking element of the latest encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Charity and Truth, is an extended treatment of the "state of ecological health" and the moral dimensions of the environment, a first for papal encyclicals. Benedict declares, "The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere." (51) The pope also says, "The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole." Check out especially Chapter Four!! More... 

 

Catholic Climate Covenant 

The impact of climate change falls heaviest on the world's poor. As Catholics, our faith demands prudent action.
Our cars and power plants, more energy consumption and waste-we're leaving a bigger carbon footprint. Scientists tell us that means more climate change. Here and around the world, it is the poor who will be hit hardest. With more droughts, floods, hunger and joblessness. As faithful Catholics, we have a moral obligation to care for both Creation and the poor. Pope Benedict XVI insists, "Before it is too late, it is necessary to make courageous decisions" to curb climate change.

Take the Pledge and Start a Campaign in your Parish or School
Why the Church Cares
What You Can Do?
Suggested Prayers
Take Personal Action
More Stuff!

 

 

Preparing for Christmas in the Philippines

With the Christmas holidays quickly approaching, preparation is richly different in many cultures all over the world.

In the Philippines, where the Xaverian Missionaries have worked since 1989, the octave of Christmas is called Simbang Gabi in Tagalog.

"Simbang Gabi" a Filipino Christmas tradition, is a series of nine (9) dawn masses, the mass starts at dawn. It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December, which is the midnight mass of Christmas. More... 

 

World Culture

The profile of Somalian hip hop artist K'naan is about to get a massive boost, as a remix of his song 'Wavin' Flag' has been selected as the official anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. More... 

 

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Merry Christmas
& Happy New Year

"The time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:4

Faith & Climate Links

• Catholic Coalition on Catholic Climate Covenant Climate Covenant
• Catholic Youth: Care for Creation 
• Unite for Climate 
• Catholic Bishops Statement
• Copenhagen Summit Site

 

Church Teaching on Global Mission

• To the Ends of the Earth, US Bishops 
• Teaching the Spirit of Mission, US Bishops 
• Best Practices in Teaching Mission, US Bishops 
• Mission of the Redeemer, John Paul II
• World Mission 2009, Benedict XVI

Xaverian Mission Links

Official Website
Xaverian Mission Blog
Xaverian Mission Newsletter

Mission Networking

• Facebook 
• Flickr 
• YouTube

 

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NO BORDERS:

PASSION FOR CHRIST -
PASSION FOR HUMANITY

Contact:

Fr. Carl Chudy, SX
St. Francis Xavier Missionaries
12 Helene Court
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-942-2975
Email us
Xaverian Missionaries Website
Check the Xaverian Blog

 

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