USCCB - (SDWP) - Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Ecological Working Group

Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Ecological Working Group

“Habits of Creation”
St. Paul, VA

Educating congregants about the connection between faith, justice, and ecology can be challenging, especially in a culture of consumerism. But this challenge is at the heart of the mission of the Ecological Working Group of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond (EWG), which has developed numerous resources and educational opportunities, including “Habits of Creation,” a 1-day retreat and workshop. This resource seeks to provide a fun, hands-on workshop that explores the habitual nature of eco-justice problems and identifies “creative” responses locally and globally.

EWG built the workshops in part upon the foundation laid in Pope John Paul II’s New Year’s Address from 1990, which states: “Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its life-style. In many parts of the world, society is given to instant gratification and consumerism while remaining indifferent to the damage which these cause. It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living at conditions of misery at the very lowest level of subsistence.” The Habits workshops invite participants to:

learn about basic ecological principles,
discuss real life stories of poverty and ecological problems,
examine scriptural roots of ecological responsibility, and
learn and share practical skills that build community and foster creativity.

The EWG also created a facilitator’s guide so that anyone interested could so step-by-step through the process to lead the workshop. Fr. Thomas Berry, a well-known eco-theologian, after reviewing Habits of Creation: “The Habits workbook is remarkable in its vision. I only wish that every diocese would initiate such a program.” The EWG members have given full workshops, used portions of it in shorter programs, and continue to make the facilitator’s handbook available as a resource and tool for ecological education.

The Ecological Working Group of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond was formed in 1990 to help Catholics and all people of faith integrate ecological values and concerns into their congregations and daily lives. They have undertaken additional efforts to raise awareness such as mailing a brochure in advance of Christmas to parishes, religious educators, and justice and peace ministers to facilitate faithful reflections on the connection of the Earth, simplicity, and the season in the hype of more commercialized pressures of Christmas. A second brochure, Living in Harmony, has been mailed around Earth Day, along with an Ecological Checklist for Parishes to help parishes measure their care for creation.

Further, EWG has created a Confirmation and Creation lesson for teachers, initiated a St. Francis Ecological Award to be given yearly, builds membership in the Ecological Network of Sowers of Justice, and maintains an e-mail list to keep members informed of important ecological issues.

Contact Information:
Clare McBrien
P.O. Box 882
Wytheville, VA 26382
cmbrien@richmonddiocese.org
276-686-5039
www.richmonddiocese.org/ojp

Supplemental information:

EWG informational brochure
Habits of Creation facilitator’s handbook (would need permission to put online)
“Celebrating Christmas as if the Earth were really the place where Word became Flesh” – Christmas Brochure
Letter from Thomas Berry
News coverage (print)
Ecological Network of Sowers of Justice informational brochure
Resources booklet from the Ecological Network of Sowers of Justice
Confirmation and Creation Lesson Plan
Ecology Checklist for Parishes
Earth Day – sample brochure