Lenten Eco-Fast - Stuff

"The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience."

-Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel, November 2013

View the ten-minute YouTube "The Story of Stuff" (click here) and decide how you can buy less stuff. It will change the way you look at all the "stuff" in your life.

Lenten Eco-Fast - Food Waste

"This culture of waste has made us insensitive even to the waste and disposal of food, which is even more despicable when all over the world, unfortunately, many individuals and families are suffering from hunger and malnutrition."  -Pope Francis, June 5, 2013

Be aware of how much food you discard this week.  To view a two-minute video on the implications of the food we waste,  please click here.

Lenten Eco-Fast - Showerhead

"A second key area where you are called to make a contribution is in showing concern for the environment."

-Pope Francis, Jan. 18 2015

A low-flow showerhead uses approximately 1-2 gallons less per minute than a conventional showerhead.

Lenten Eco-Fast - Recycled TP

"We have, in a sense, lorded it over nature, over Sister Earth, over Mother Earth. I think man has gone too far. Thank God today there are voices that are speaking about this."

-Pope Francis, January 16, 2015

Use recycled toilet paper. Many of the Felician Sisters’ Care Centers and Central Convents are already doing this.

Lenten Eco-Fast - Compost

"Custody of Creation is custody of God's gift to us and it is also a way of saying thank you to God."

-Pope Francis, May 21, 2014

Composting has many benefits. It reduces the amount of waste that ends up in your garbage can and decreases the amount of methane in the air. Methane is a much more damaging greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Sisters in Kingstree have been composting next to their garden for several years (see picture.)

Lenten Eco-Fast - Recycle Electronics

"For the most part, it is man who continuously slaps down nature."
-Pope Francis, January 15, 2015

Recycle electronics.  Electronics contain brominated flame retardants, lead, and PVC.   When put into the trash, electronics such as cell phones, printers, monitors, keyboards, remote controls, and VCRs leach lead and other hazardous materials into the environment.

Lenten Eco-Fast - Earth Hour

t to Sustain God's Creation

"Nurturing and cherishing creation is a command God gives not only at the beginning of history, but to each of us. It is part of his plan; it means causing the world to grow responsibly, transforming it so that it may be a garden, a habitable place for everyone."

-Pope Francis, June 5, 2013

Earth Hour - Earth Hour is observed globally March 28 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. local time. Individuals are invited to shut their lights off to raise awareness about climate change. 

Click here for interfaith prayer resources on Care of the Earth.

Lenten Fast to Sustain God's Creation

"All the peoples of the earth, all men and women of good will, we must raise our voice in defense of these two precious gifts: peace and nature - Sister Mother Earth, as Saint Francis of Assisi called her."

-Pope Francis, October 28, 2014

Turn off water while brushing your teeth and save one gallon of water every minute.

Lenten Fast to Sustain God’s Creation

"People occasionally forgive, but nature never does. If we don't take care of the environment, there's no way of getting around it."

-Pope Francis, April 22, 2013

Plastic bags do not biodegrade, they break down into small toxic bits that contaminate soil and waterways and enter the food chain when mistaken for jellyfish. Therefore, you may eventually ingest a part of the plastic bag you threw away a few years ago!

Lenten Fast to Sustain God’s Creation

"Respect for the environment means more than simply using cleaner products or recycling what we use. These are important aspects, but not enough."

-Pope Francis, January 18, 2015

Recycle aluminum cans.  The energy saved from one recycled aluminum can will operate a television set for three hours.  If you do not recycle, the can will still litter the earth up to 500 years from now.

Lenten Fast to Sustain God’s Creation

"In destroying Creation we are saying to God: 'I don't like it! This is not good!'"

-Pope Francis, May 21, 2014

Avoid buying products that have lots of packaging.

Choose loose products and buy refillable containers where possible.

Lenten Fast to Sustain God’s Creation

"God our Father did not give the task of caring for the earth to money, but to us, to men and women: we have this task!"

-Pope Francis, June 5, 2013

Use cloth shopping bags instead of paper and plastic.

Lenten Fast to Sustain God’s Creation

"All the peoples of the earth, all men and women of good will, we must raise our voice in defense of these two precious gifts: peace and nature - Sister Mother Earth, as Saint Francis of Assisi called her."

-Pope Francis, October 28, 2014

Turn off water while brushing your teeth and save one gallon of water every minute.