Lenten Fast for Creation 2018

17 February: Commit

We commit ourselves to living simply and in harmony with creation.

In his letter Laudato Si’, which was addressed not just to the Catholic Church but to “all people of good will,” Pope Francis wrote that “Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves…

20 February: Make a list of items you waste

Studies have shown that making a written plan for changes you want to make increases the likelihood of achieving them. Apply this principle to reduce the amount of waste you generate.

• Start by keeping a written diary of items…

22 February: Put waste in its place

Much of the litter humans throw on the ground is washed into waterways, where it eventually reaches the ocean. Plastic represents the largest portion of marine litter, and the amount of plastic in the ocean is increasing.

24 February: Recycle

Recycling makes best use of the materials we have extracted from the Earth. If you do not already recycle, investigate what facilities are available in your area, and make a plan with the members of your household or parish to recycle fully as much as you are able.

1 March: Eat local and native

Eating local and native foods encourages the economy in your community to work with the rhythms of creation. In addition, it encourages connections between people, as consumers seek and meet farmers among their neighbors.

3 March: Compost food waste

Composting is an excellent method of eliminating food waste while building soil health. In composting, food scraps are combined with other organic waste, such as dropped leaves, newspaper, or paper bags, and aerated while decomposing.

5 March: Install LEDs

Most of the buildings we encounter in our day-to-day lives are artificially lit. Changing the type of light bulb we use is a small act that, cumulatively, makes a big difference.

LED bulbs generate light through light-emitting diodes, rather than burning a…

6 March: Conserve

Appliances generate a lot of waste in the typical home, office, or parish. Changing how these appliances are used to reduce their energy consumption is a good way of protecting creation.

Make sure that your water heater and dishwasher are on the most efficient settings…

7 March: Go renewable

Solar power is a clean, reliable, affordable way to generate power. Rooftop or garden solar for your home or parish is a wonderful way to reduce your contribution to climate change and protect creation. Special financing arrangements in your area may make this investment easier. Spend a…

9 March: Adjust your thermostat

Heating and cooling our buildings is incredibly energy-intensive. Changing your thermostat by just a few degrees is one of the most impactful things you can do to protect our common home and the people who share it.

10 March: Choose smart transport

Transportation that is powered by fossil fuels builds greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing low-impact ways to move throughout your day will meaningfully reduce your contribution to climate change.

12 March: Take shorter showers

Showers use the resources of God’s creation in two ways. First, the water itself is drawn from aquifers, reservoirs, and other sources. Second, water treatment and heating are very energy-intensive. In many areas, the water in showers is sanitized to the same level as water…

13 March: Re-use shower water to flush the toilet

Stewarding the gift of water means using it to its fullest. While showering, set a bucket of water at your feet to catch the flow. If bathing children, scoop water out after they have finished. Pour the water in your bucket into the toilet tank to flush it.