Caring for Our Common Home: The FCJ Centre Journey with Laudato Si’

May 24–31, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the landmark encyclical by the late Pope Francis that continues to stir hearts and inspire change around the world. First released on May 24, 2015, this prophetic letter invites all of us, no matter where we come from, to listen deeply to “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.” 

At its heart, Laudato Si’ reminds us of a simple yet profound truth: everything is interconnected. Pope Francis draws from Scripture to show us that our relationship with God, with one another, and with the Earth are all intimately woven together. When one of these relationships is neglected, all are affected. But when we nurture them, healing begins. 

Here at the FCJ Centre, the spirit of Laudato Si’ has been quietly and steadily shaping our journey. Over the past years, the FCJ Sisters and our Centre staff have been prayerfully discerning how we can embody this call on ecological and social transformation in our life and ministry. Through prayerful discernment, a Laudato Si’ Committee was formed four years ago, bringing hearts and hands together to explore how our Centre can become greener, deepen its commitment to caring for creation, and share the spirit of this beautiful encyclical with our community.  

We’ve made small but meaningful changes around the Centre: 

• Switching to LED lighting 

• Installing motion-sensor lights in hallways and common areas 

• Adding clearer recycling and composting options 

• Choosing eco-friendly cleaning products 

• Saying “no” to small plastic water bottles 

• And finding creative ways to use what we already have 

But more than that, we’ve begun offering programs that invite people into a deeper spiritual relationship with creation: 

🌿 Earth Day gatherings centered on the Ecological Examen 

🌿 The Yvonne Prowse Retreat on Creation’s Wisdom, with a public lecture and 3-day retreat 

🌿 Community nature walks, film showings of The Letter, and a growing community garden space 

🌿 We’ve created a dedicated Laudato Si' page on our website to share our ongoing commitment to care for our common home.  

These efforts reflect our desire to live out the wisdom of Laudato Si’ not just in what we do, but in who we are as a Centre rooted in faith, hospitality, and hope. We are reminded that the Earth is not just something we care for, it is something that cares for us. It teaches us, reveals God’s love to us, and invites us to slow down, to see with new eyes, and to act with courage and compassion. 

As we look to the future, may we continue walking gently on this sacred path, reading the Book of Nature with reverence, and listening for how God speaks through the wind, the trees, the waters, and the soil beneath our feet.  

To learn more about Laudato Si, visit https://laudatosimovement.org/ or to get involved, please contact Whitney Nagasan at director@fcjcentre.ca