February 14, 2011 Dear Colleagues in Ministry, Enclosed in this mailing, you will find the second of three sets of materials that support the Diocesan Public Policy Committee’s educational priority focusing on energy issues and climate change. Centered on our Lenten practices, these materials include a penitential service focused on our care of God’s creation, a “save the date” flyer announcing the second annual Care for God's Creation and the Poor Social/Environmental Ministry Gathering, two sets of bulletin educational pieces, and a background sheet on the method of gas drilling known as hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracking. The first set of bulletin articles focuses on hydrofracking, the other set focuses more generally on environmental justice issues and are linked to the Lenten readings. Later this spring you can expect to receive suggestions for celebrating Earth Day and Rogation days. Thank you for all you do to raise awareness in your parishes of the goodness of God’s earth and the requirement that we care for it for the good of all. As Pope Benedict said in his 2010 World Day of Peace message, “The Church has a responsibility towards creation, and she considers it her duty to exercise that responsibility in public life, in order to protect earth, water and air as gifts of God the Creator meant for everyone, and above all to save mankind from the danger of self-destruction.” (# 12)
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Brian Cool, Chairperson, Diocesan Public Policy Committee on behalf of the Energy Education Sub-Committee
