Caring for our common home begins with the choices we make each day. As a Passionist Family, our call to stand with a suffering world includes responding to the cry of Earth through how we live, consume, and understand our place in creation.
We can do this by adopting sustainable lifestyles rooted in simplicity and respect for all of Creation. This means reducing waste, making more mindful food choices such as incorporating plant-based options, rethinking consumer habits, recycling and reusing when we can, using public transportation and walking when possible, and avoiding single-use plastics.
These everyday decisions, though simple, reflect a commitment to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform goal of “Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles” in a real and practical way.
Here are six ways our Passionist family is putting that vision into practice in daily life:
Cut down on single-use plastic
“I use a reusable water bottle instead of disposable bottles.”
Talib Huff
Citrus Heights, CA
Support local businesses
“I care for my family’s health and support local farmers and businesses by shopping at the farmer’s market.”
Lissa Romell
Chicago, IL
Avoid plastic packaging
“I buy shaving soap from a local shop to avoid plastic packaging.”
Dan O’Donnell
Chicago, IL
Conserve water
“I collect the water that runs while waiting for it to heat up and use it to water my plants.”
Olivia Huff
Citrus Heights, CA
Reduce waste in landfills
“I compost my kitchen waste to reduce what goes to landfills.”
Michael Nasello
Peterborough, Ontario
Start with small, daily changes
“I began buying and drinking fair trade, organic coffee as my daily coffee.”
Terry McDevitt
Louisville, KY
As we reflect on these small but meaningful steps, consider how you might be called to care for our common home in your own daily life.
What changes have you made or are you hoping to begin?
Share your ideas and practices in the comments and inspire others to live more sustainably in the spirit of Laudato Si’.
Read more about our committment to Laudato Si’
