 Unit Activities & Answer Key With Your Group Unit Resources  
Entries relate to BLEST ARE WE FAITH & Word Edition © 2008 and BENDECIDOS © 2008. Titles that refer only to BLEST ARE WE © 2002 and ©2004 are indicated in parentheses.    Catholic Social Teaching - Care for Creation As the Church continually states in her teaching on social justice, we have an obligation to respect and care for creation. There is, fortunately, a growing awareness that we need to make greater efforts to conserve our natural resources, recycle what we can, and be less wasteful in general. Global warming has been acknowledged as a reality that needs immediate attention. This involves governments, corporations, and individuals. Reliance on fossil fuels needs to be reduced by finding alternatives. This necessitates lifestyle changes as well as finding replacement fuels. One of the greatest gifts of creation is the tremendous variety of animal and plant life on our planet. We are finally learning that these, too, should be protected from extinction. There is growing concern, for example, about the various, irreplaceable species of plants, animals, and insects that are in danger of extinction if we continue to destroy our rain forests. Many medicines are derived from these creatures and that benefit will be lost if they become extinct. Justice is a seamless garment. We need to be concerned not only about people, but all living things. 
 Have participants select one school day during the coming week to keep track of items that make up their own lunch. Have them list the items and how each could be reused or recycled (e.g., reuse lunch bag, take home apple core for composting, recycle juice/milk box, plastic, paper). During follow-up discussion, find out how many actually did reuse or recycle their lunch items. Discuss the experience.  To the motto "Reduce, Recycle, Reuse," Catholics can add a fourth, "Respect." Respect for creation urges us to follow through with the other "r's" Consider problems such as littering, polluting the air, dumping hazardous waste, wasting electricity or water. Have participants describe one action your group, community, or parish can take to solve each. Include the "four r's" in your discussion. Links Caring for God's Creation Environmental Justice Program of USCCB Interfaith Climate Change Network People of faith acting together for climate justice. Books Table Prayer Book and CD by Beth Thompson and Robert Piercy Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-75999-203-X The Ecological Crisis - A Common Responsibility by Pope John Paul II Available through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 800-235-8722, www.usccb.org The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of Eucharist USCCB, #5-434 Available through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 800-235-8722, www.usccb.org Seeking Justice (Student Booklet and Teaching Guide) by Lynn New Available through Saint Mary's Press, 2000. Videos Close Encounters with the Beatitudes (12 min.) Understanding the commitment to live the Beatitudes in our own lives Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-9674408-07 Music "I Say 'Yes,' Lord/Digo 'Sí,' Señor," "Creators of the Stars of Night" BLEST ARE WE Music CD 6 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36657-3 BLEST ARE WE Song Book Words and melodies for songs on the BLEST ARE WE music CDS, Levels 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 BLEST ARE WE Accompaniment Book Accompaniment music for songs on the BLEST ARE WE music CDs, Levels 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 |
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