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Earth Day

April 22
Resources
IN THIS BINDER:

Today’s Catholic Teacher is a magazine which assists Catholic teachers with


professional growth needs and classroom resources. Address: PO Box 49725, Dayton,
Ohio 45449-0725. Phone: 1-800-558-2292, ext. 128. Email: service@peterli.com
Website: www.catholicteacher.com
Resources in this binder:

• “God Gave Us the Earth: A Prayer Service for Ecology”


• “Recycling Randy: A Play in Two Acts”
• “An Activity for Earth Day”

United States Catholic Conference is a civil corporation formed by the United States
Catholic Bishops to address issues that concern the Church as part of the larger
society. It also has a publishing arm which publishes resources on current societal
issues, as well as materials for catechists, educators and those in ordained or lay
ministry. Address: 3211 Fourth Street NE. Washington, D. C.20017-1194. Phone:
202-541-3000 Publications Phone: 1-800-235-8722
Website: www.nccbuscc.org
Resources in this binder:

• “What You Can Do to Help the Environment” taken from the US


Bishops statement, Renewing the Face of the Earth, 1991

St. Anthony Messenger Press is a publishing company providing Catholic books,


magazines, audio tapes and videotapes. Address: 1615 Republic St., Cincinnati, Ohio
45210-1298 Phone: 800-488-0488 Fax: 1-513-241-1197 Website:
www.AmericanCatholic.org
Resources in this binder:

• The Best of Holy Days and Holidays: Prayer Celebrations with Children
“Earth Day Background Reflection” and “Earth Day Prayer Celebration”
(Used with permission from St. Anthony Messenger Press)
Please Note:
In this binder, Building God’s Kingdom: Implementing Catholic Social Teaching, you will
find appropriate Earth Day activities in the following areas.
• Suggested Activities for Primary Grades - Care for God’s Creation
• Suggested Activities for Intermediate Grades - Care for God’s Creation
• Suggested Activities for Junior High - Care for God’s Creation

CAN BE BORROWED FROM THE MEDIA LIBRARY OF C.Y.S.S.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference is a membership organization which brings


together the Church, care of community and care of creation. NCRLC serves as a
prophet voice for America’s countryside, acts as a catalyst and convener for social
justice, and develops support services for rural pastoral ministers. Address: 4625
Beaver Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Phone: 515-270-2634 Email:
NCRLC@AOL.COM Website: www.ncrlc.com
They have published the following resources on the environment:

• “Renewing the Earth Study Guides - Grades 1 - 6”


• “Renewing the Earth Study Guides - Grades 7 - 12”

These study guides offer resources and activities to help students to


learn to respect, protect and care for the earth.

Institute for Peace and Justice is an independent, interfaith, non-profit organization


which provides resources for schools, families and churches that advocate for a more
peaceful and just society. Address: 4144 Lindell Blvd. #408, St. Louis, Missouri 63108
Phone: 314-533-4445 Email: ipj@ipj-ppj.org Website: www.ipj-ppj.org They have
published the following resource on peace which contains activities addressing the
issue of stewardship:

• “Kids Creating Circles of Peace” pp. 20 - 23

The EarthWorks Group is an organization that addresses environmental issues.


Address: EarthWorks Press, P.O. Box 1117, Ashland, Oregon 97520
They have published the following resource on protecting the earth:

• “50 Simple Things Kids Can Do To Save the Earth”


Websites

www.educationplanet.com/search/Environment/Ecology/Earth_Day
Lists twelve different websites which provide resources for Earth Day

www.epa.gov
Go to the section marked “For Kids” to fiind activitites for studying the enviroment

earthday.wilderness.org
Offers background information on Earth Day as well as suggested activities for students

www.earthdaybags.org
Offers directions and ideas for the Earth Day Groceries Project as well as related links
to other sites addressing ecology and the environment
Earth Day
April 22
High School Resources
IN THIS BINDER:

United States Catholic Conference is a civil corporation formed by the United States
Catholic Bishops to address issues that concern the Church as part of the larger
society. It also has a publishing arm which publishes resources on current societal
issues, as well as materials for catechists, educators and those in ordained or lay
ministry. Address: 3211 Fourth Street NE. Washington, D. C.20017-1194. Phone:
202-541-3000 Publications Phone: 1-800-235-8722
Website: www.nccbuscc.org
Resources in this binder:

• “What You Can Do to Help the Environment” taken from the US


Bishops statement, Renewing the Face of the Earth, 1991

National Catholic Rural Life Conference is a membership organization which brings


together the Church, care of community and care of creation. NCRLC serves as a
prophet voice for America’s countryside, acts as a catalyst and convener for social
justice, and develops support services for rural pastoral ministers. Address: 4625
Beaver Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Phone: 515-270-2634 Email:
NCRLC@AOL.COM Website: www.ncrlc.com
Resources in this binder:

• “Prayer, Lifstyle, Scripture and other Resources for Earth Day”

Web of Creation is a website designed to facilitate the movement for personal and
social transformation to a just and sustainable world - - from the religious perspective.
Address: 1100 E. 55th St., Chicago, Illinois 60615 Email: webofcreation@1stc.edu

• “Litany for Creation and Prayer of Confession”


Please Note:
In this binder, Building God’s Kingdom: Implementing Catholic Social Teaching, you will
find appropriate Earth Day activities in the following areas:

• “The Flourishing of the Human Family - Protecting the Environment:


The Sustainable Development Model” located in the section tabbed,
Classroom Activities to Implement the Seven Principles

CAN BE BORROWED FROM THE MEDIA LIBRARY OF C.Y.S.S.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference is a membership organization which brings


together the Church, care of community and care of creation. NCRLC serves as a
prophet voice for America’s countryside, acts as a catalyst and convener for social
justice, and develops support services for rural pastoral ministers. Address: 4625
Beaver Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Phone: 515-270-2634 Email:
NCRLC@AOL.COM Website: www.ncrlc.com
They have published the following resources on the environment:

• “Renewing the Earth Study Guides - Grades 7 - 12”

These study guides offer resources and activities to help students to learn to respect,
protect and care for the earth.

Institute for Peace and Justice is an independent, interfaith, non-profit organization


which provides resources for schools, families and churches that advocate for a more
peaceful and just society. Address: 4144 Lindell Blvd. #408, St. Louis, Missouri 63108
Phone: 314-533-4445 Email: ipj@ipj-ppj.org Website: www.ipj-ppj.org They have
published the following resource on peace which contains activities addressing the
issue of stewardship:

• Educating for Peace and Justice: Religious Dimensions ,


“Reconciliation with the Earth”, pp. 129-138.
Websites

www.educationplanet.com/search/Environment/Ecology/Earth_Day
Lists twelve different websites which provide resources for Earth Day

www.earthministry.org
Provides worship and meditation resources for Earth Day

earthday.wilderness.org
Go to “Teacher’s Lounge” and find background information on Earth Day as well as
suggested activities for students

www.earthdaybags.org
Offers directions and ideas for the Earth Day Groceries Project as well as related links
to other sites addressing ecology and the environment; a good “infusion project” for Art
classes

www.epa.gov
Go to the section marked “Audience Groups” and then to “Students” and “Teachers” to
find resources for studying the environment

www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/ejp
Offers a variety of resources for use in schools and parishes to foster care and respect
for God’s creation

www.silk.net/RelEd/enviroment.htm
Provides a list of web sites on theological perspectives on the environment
Litany for Creation

Leader:
Praise to you, O God, source of all waters. For vast oceans, flowing rivers, and
gentle
rains we give you thanks.

Response: Forgive our careless waste and polluting ways.

Leader:
Help us cleanse, conserve, and share; teach us to care for the gift of water.

Response: Come and heal your people. Come and heal the waters.

Leader:
Praise to you, O God, creator of the dry land. For might mountains, rolling hills, and
fertile prairies we give you thanks.

Response: Forgive our wanton greed and violent ways.

Leader:
Help us to sow, till, and harvest with care; teach us to live gently on the land.

Response: Come and heal your people. Come and heal the land.

Leader:
Praise to you, O God, breath of life and maker of air. For wind and wave, breath and
breeze, light and life we give you thanks.

Response: Forgive our heedless acts and selfish ways.

Leader:
Help us to live justly, simply, and wisely; teach us to care for the gift of air.

Response: Come and heal your people. Come and heal the air.

Leader:
Praise to you, O God, Lord and Giver of Life. Your love sustains planet earth and by
your hand all things living are fed.

Response: Forgive our neglect and abuse of your gifts.


Leader:
Help us to serve, defend and restore your creation.

Response: Help us care for your people. Help us care for the earth.

Prayer of Confession

Creator of the earth and all living things, maker of the sky and the air and the breath of
life, God of all that is: we are your servant people, created out of the clay of the earth
itself. We forget that we are your creatures and we play at being gods. We neglect the
work of stewardship that you have provided for our occupation and our joy. We have
used, abused, and abandoned those things that you have created for your delight.

You have created a fragile world in a perfect and delicate balance. Thinking too much
of our own importance, we have upset the balance.

We ask your forgiveness, Holy and Righteous God. we yearn to join with the mountains
and valleys, the rocks and birds of the wild ocean waters in singing your praises. Amen.

Taken from materials produced by the National Council of Churches


found on the following website:
www.webofcreation.org/worship/earthdayservices.htm#opening
MEMO

TO: All Principals

FROM: Donna Therkelsen, Consultant for Religious Education

DATE: March 23, 2001

RE: Earth Day Resource Materials

Enclosed you will find a packet of resource materials to assist your teachers in their
observance of Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22. We are encouraged
to celebrate this event as part of our commitment to the seventh principle of Catholic
Social Teaching, “Care for God’s Creation.”

These packets can be placed in the binder, “Building God’s Kingdom: Implementing
Catholic Social Teaching,” in the section tabbed, “Earth Day--April 22.”

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