VALUE BASED MODULE

Pope Francis’ Encyclical

Letter on Environment LAUDATO SI
“Praise be to
you” 

Care for Our Common Home

*************************************************************************************

I. OBJECTIVES:
 Come to a deeper understanding of his/her dignity and worth as child of God created in His
image and likeness;
 Become fully aware of some common problems in our common home – our Mother Earth
 Recognize our duties as Steward of God’s creation;
 Pray reflectively for our Mother Earth;

II. CONTEXT:

Laudato Si is Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the environment or more formally – On Care for Our
Common Home. Laudato Si means “Praise be to you” which is the first line of a canticle by St. Francis
that praises God with all of His creation. The Canticle of the Creatures reminds us that the earth, our
common home “is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her
arms to embrace us.”

Laudato Si is a worldwide wake up call to help humanity understand the destruction that man is
rendering to the environment and his fellow man.

At the heart of Laudato Si, we find this question: “What kind of world do we want to leave to
those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (LS160). It is clear that, after Laudato
Si, the examination of conscience should include a new dimension. One would regularly review, not
only how one has lived in communion with God, with others and with oneself, but also with all
creatures and with nature.

Pope Francis through this letter, Laudato Si invited us to protect and bring a sustainable way to
protect our common home and to work together to seek tirelessly to resolve the tragic effects of
environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest.
III. TIME GUIDE FOR FACILITATOR AND EXPECTATIONS:

8:20 Arrival of the Participants/Assembly

8:30 Recitation of the Holy Rosary
9:00 Recollection Session 1
10:30 Morning Health Break
11:00 Recollection Session 2
12:30 Lunch Break
1:20 Recollection Session 3
2:00 Para-liturgy
2:30 Confession
4:00 Celebration of the Holy Mass
5:00 Home Sweet Home

RECOLLECTION IS…:
 the act of remembering, or the thing remembered.
 a spiritual journey of giving your whole attention in the presence of God.
 an experience of interior solitude in which the soul is alone with God.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
 Feel the presence of God in our life
 Have a great silent in heart, mind and soul and let the Holy Spirit enter in our life
 A chance to see ourselves in the eyes of God
 Bring ourselves into reality of life through the works of deep reflection
 A break from the daily routine of our life

EXPECTATIONS:
 Prepare and Dispose yourself
 Be cooperative and participative
 Pray for one another
 Observe Silence
 Enjoy…it is enjoyable and fruitful experience

IV. ACTIVITIES/SESSIONS:

Session 1: Imago Dei: Image of God

Session 2: Man vs Earth: Look, what we have done!
Session 3: Stewardship: A Way of Life
Session 4: Para-liturgy: Caring for God’s Creation

IV. INTRODUCTION AND SETTLING DOWN

Greetings: Greet the participants and let them greet one another.

Good morning or good day everyone! I am happy that you are here even though it is Saturday, you
decided to come here. We are very blessed because today the Lord will give us His blessings and be
with us today in this spiritual journey.

I am hoping that all of you will be attentive in our sharing, participative in all our activities, and
reflective during silence and prayer.

Let us offer this day for the success of our one day recollection. Enjoy! This will be an enjoyable and
fruitful experience.
V: RECOLLECTION PROPER:

Ice breaker:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z1pdXZrwBc

Session #1: Imago Dei: Image of God

“Mirror, mirror on the wall. I do not

hear your siren’s call. I care not what
you think of me. I am much more than
you can see.”

Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6AMBBozEqI

(Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs)

1. From what particular movie have you heard this line?

2. What did she ask from the magic mirror?
3. What did she see or what did she want to see for herself?

For our first activity, imagine you are the queen in the story of Snow white. What do you think
you can see in the mirror?

Activity 1:“Mirror, mirror on the wall.”

Each student will answer worksheet #1. The student will write what he/she sees in
himself/herself. It could be positive or negative. Give everyone the chance to share his/her
answer in the class. After the sharing ask the following for processing.

Material/s: Activity sheet &ballpen

1. How did you find the activity?

2. Are you happy with what you have written in your mirror? Why or why not?
3. What does it tell you as a person?

***** Moment of short silence for reflection with instrumental music *****

Deepening: Imago Dei: Image of God

Covered Chapter:
Chapter 2: The Gospel of Creation
Chapter 4: Integral Ecology
For sure everyone knew this song of Cristina Aguilera, “I am beautiful no matter what they say.
Words can't bring me down. I am beautiful in every single way. Yes, words can't bring me
down...“

How do you see yourself?

Is having a self-image necessary/important? Why?
What is the danger of this self-image?
SELF-IMAGE

How do we look at ourselves? It is the way we show/bring ourselves to others. Self-image is the
way we present who we are to other people. You have to know your true self, embrace your
strength and weaknesses, and love and correct your mistakes and shortcoming. We have to
accept our own limitations too.
But we have to watch ourselves, if we care so much of our “self-image”, we have the tendency
to focus more on ourselves and sometimes to pretend to be someone we are not anymore.

As we think of ourselves, we want others to see the

“beauty” that we have. Yes, we are all beautiful.
But remember, beauty is relative. It may be beautiful
to me but not to you or vice versa.

Now a day, mostly people are so conscious on how to be more beautiful and attractive.
They buy all beauty products in the supermarket. They want to see a young and beautiful and
handsome face. Sad to say, they are more on the outside beauty rather than the inside beauty.

And we care so much of what other people say about us.

Anoangnasaloob?

Angnakikitasa LABAS ay
siyanglaman ng LOOB.

Ang“sira”salabas ay ang“sirasaloob.

Listen and watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTRSDxEjYeU

(Image of God)

***** Moment of short silence for reflection with instrumental music *****
 You are Greater than You think You

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in

Our image, according to Our likeness;”
Genesis 1: 26-27

It changes everything.
 how we view our life
 How we interact with others
 How we deal with the issues that we care

Every lives matters because every life is created in the image of God.

We come to God in pieces, in fragments ... and because of His love for us, we are remade
whole. Broken glass becomes beautiful stained glass ... broken pottery is transformed by the
hands of The Potter ... for we are indeed made in the Image of God.

The divine image is present in every man. It shines forth in the communion of
persons, in the likeness of the unity of the divine persons among themselves.
CCC#1702

All people are created in the Image of God and that changes everything. It changes how we
view and interact with others, as well as the issues that we care about as believers. Every lives
matters because every life is created in the image of God.

“Catholic social teaching believes that human beings, created in the image
and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), have by their very existence an
inherent value, worth, and distinction”.

Ice breaker:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ehiqCmP8Iw

Session #2: Man vs Earth: Look, what we have done!

Covered Chapters:
Chapter 1: What is happening to our Common Home?
Chapter 3: The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis

“Wala ka bang napapansin

saiyongmgakapaligiran?”
 Listen and reflect:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNfz0vSHjEU
(Song Kapaligiran)

Issue on Climate
Pollution Water Change

Loss of Decline in
Throw-away
the Quality

Biodiversity Culture
of Human Life and
Breakdown of the Society

Activity 2: Mannequin Challenge

The class will be divided into groups with 5-6 members only. They will discuss and portray what
is happening to our common home. They will present through role playing the cause and effects
of some common problems of our Mother Earth.
Each group has 3-minutes to present.

Group 1: Pollution Group 4: Loss of Biodiversity

Group 2: Climate Change Group 5: Decline of Quality of Human Life
Group 3: Issue on water Group 6: Breakdown of Society

Big group sharing

1. What does the activity telling you?

2. Are you guilty of the destruction of our common home?
3. Are your actions towards Mother Earth show our true identity as child of God being created
in His image and likeness?

Deepening: Man vs. Earth: Look, what we have done!

1.
The presence into the environment of a substance or thing
POLLUTION that has harmful or poisonous effects.

 Polluted Air
 Polluted Water
 Polluted Soil
 Polluted Energy (heat & noise)
-----------------------------------------------
 Polluted Mind
 Polluted Heart

In our daily life, there are other kinds of pollution that really affect our relationship with
one another. What are they?
 Polluted Mind  Polluted Heart
“ I’m not smart enough.”
“ I can’t do it by myself.”
“ I’m a failure.”
- Easily judge others
- Fault Finder
- Labeling
- Blaming others
 We have to be aware that aside from the natural pollutions around us, these are the
people destroying our health, self, and even our happiness.

2. There are 1 billion people in the developing world

Issue on don't have access to it.
Water
Water scarcity is either the lack of enough water (quantity) or
lack of access to safe water (quality).

Pope Francis said that “to deprive the poor

of access to water means to deny the right
to a life consistent with their inalienable
dignity.”
But aside from clean water, we are thirsty for other things also. Like…

Thirst from:
More than thirst *Love * Attention
from clean and *Care *Understanding
safe water… *Appreciation *Forgiveness

3.
Climate
An increase of extreme weather events
Change

1. Temperatures are breaking records around the world

2016 was the hottest year on record since 1880, according to Nasa
and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
with average temperatures measuring 1.78 degrees Fahrenheit (0.99
degrees Celsius) warmer than the mid-20th century. 

2. Arctic sea ice and glaciers are melting

Arctic sea ice coverage has shrunk every decade since
1979 by 3.5 to 4.1 per cent. Glaciers have also been in
retreat, including in major mountain ranges like the
Alps, Himalayas and Rockies.

3. Sea levels are rising at their fastest rate in 2,000 years

Rising sea levels is caused primarily by the added water from
melting ice sheets and glaciers, as well as the expansion of sea
water as it warms. In July, a massive crack in the Larson C ice
shelf finally gave way sending a 5,800 square km section of ice
into the ocean.
 4. Global flooding could triple by 2030

The number of people exposed to flooding each year

is at risk of tripling from 21 million to 54 million by
2030, according to a study from the World Resources
Institute.

**************************************************************************************
May Climate change badito!?

 Applicable ngayonbukashindina…
 Naka schedule nanabago pa…
 Pabago-bagonaman!

4.
the exploitation and degradation of the existence of a wide variety of
Loss of plant and animal species living in their natural environment.
Biodiversity

Pope Francis said, “each year we see the disappearance of thousands of

plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will
never see, because they have been lost forever.”

In real life….
“I can do it by myself.” “I don’t care.!” “I don’t belong here!.”

“I’m okay! It is not your concern.”

We try to compromise on We accept our differences and We learn to forgive the

many things. appreciate our uniqueness. shortcomings of others.

Decline inthe
5. Qualityof Human
Life & Breakdown The urban and even in rural places…
of the Society

 unhealthy to live in because of pollution caused by poor transportation,

and visual pollution and noise
 many cities are huge, inefficient structures, excessively wasteful of energy and water
 congested, chaotic and lacking in sufficient green space
c

Every person has value, are worthy of great respect and

I am a child must be free from slavery, manipulation and exploitation.
of God, Human beings, created in the image and likeness of God
Let’s keephave by their very existence an inherent value, worth, and distinction.
it that way!

The overconsumption and excessive production of short-lived

6. Throw-Away
or disposable items over durable goods that can be repaired.
Culturev

The beautiful nature is now covered with rubbish.

We are not able to manage our trashes.
We THROW our garbage anywhere.

Real talk….

We easily THROW our We treat PEOPLE like THINGS.

things if we do not WANT We easily THROW them AWAY if we do not WANT
and NEED it anymore…. them or we do not NEED them anymore.

Ugly Truth: We throw-away our:

 family members
 friends
 pupils/students
 colleagues

Listen and reflect:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrzbRZn5Ed4

(Man vs. Earth)

Humans are a plague on the Earth. We're murdering it, and in turn, we are murdering
ourselves. And yet, even though we're known as the "wise man", we're still so ignorant that we
continue to be in denial that we're doing all of this.

“Lahat ng
bagaynanaritosalupabiyayanggalingsadiy
oskahitnongika'ywala pa ingatannatin at
'wag nangsirain pa
pagkatpagkanyangbinawi,
tayo'ymawawalana.”

The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.
 The beautiful nature is now covered with rubbish.
We are not able to manage our trashes. We THROW our garbage anywhere.

The earth was here before us and it has been given to us….
We are created in God’s image and given dominion over the earth justify absolute domination
over other creatures. 

There is a CALL and an

INVITATION for ALL.

Deepening:

If the simple fact of being human moves people to care for the environment of
which they are a part, Christians in their turn “realize that their
responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator,
are an essential part of their faith”. It is good for humanity and the world at
large when we believers better recognize the ecological commitments which
stem from our convictions. LS#64

This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings

and nature.
Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for
subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its
fruitfulness for coming generations. (LS#67)

We are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what He desired
when He created it and correspond with His plan for peace, beauty and fullness.

“The original source of all that is good is the very act of God, who created
both the earth and man, who gave the earth to man so that he might have
dominion over it by his work and enjoy its fruits. God gave the earth to the
whole human race for the sustenance of all its members, without excluding or
favoring anyone.”
-CentesimusAnnus 31

***** Moment of short silence for reflection with instrumental music *****

Ice Breaker:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNQAh_4iGYI

Session #3: Stewardship: A Way of Life

Covered Chapters:
Chapter 2: The Gospel of Creation
Chapter 4: Integral Ecology
Chapter5: Lines of Approach and Action
Chapter 6: Ecological Education and Spirituality
 Pope Francis understands that “everything is closely related” and that “today’s problems call
for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis.”

“Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in

which we live,” writes the pope. “We are part of nature.”

Watch and reflect:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtrNfax2MjA

(Natural Wonders of the World)

Photos imprint beautiful

memories in our hearts.

Activity#3: Photo Language

The student will get a picture/image of a nature. He/she will share to his/her groupmates the
significant and relevant of the chosen picture to himself/herself.

Small group sharing:

1. What particular place or scenery did you choose?
2. Why is the place significant to you?
3. How is it related to you?

Our experiences and memories remind of the people who are

dear to us and bring deeper connection to one another.

The people and the places become significant because we become

part of them. They tell something about us and they make us feel
great and happy.

We feel or experience wonder and awe when see the wonderful creation of
God and we find connection with the nature.
 Since the beginning
oftime…

Deepening:

Because the Earth and its resources are God’s gift to all humanity,
we are reverent, just, and sparing in our use of created things, 
concerned for the needs of the present and future generations.
In the beginning of Genesis, God creates everything and puts Adam in the Garden to work it
and to take care of it. It is clear that man was created to work and that work is the stewardship
of all of the creation that God has given him.

God created everything for man,but man in turn was created to serve and
love God and to offer all creation back to him. CCC#358
 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet.
Psalm 8:6

The authority to rule is also the responsibility to act rightly and justly in relation to Creation.As God’s
steward, we are to act according to what God wills.

“to subdue” To gain an understanding of and mastery

over Creation
or
“take dominion”
God ordered us to care for His Creation, to tend them
to the fullest of their potentials.

“It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. CCC#2418
God owns everything; we are simply managers or administrators acting on his behalf.
We are called as God’s stewards to manage that which belongs to God. While God has
graciously entrusted us with the care, development, and enjoyment of everything he owns as
his stewards, we are responsible to manage His holdings well and according to His desires and
purposes.

The Christian mandate “to love one’s neighbor” extends not only to other human beings but to
every facet of creation. The human community is called to live in a mutually life-enhancing
relationship with all of creation. 

We are called to recognize that other living beings have a value of their own in
God’s eyes (LS#69): “by their mere existence they bless him and give him
glory”, and indeed, “the Lord rejoices in all His works” Ps. 104:31.

If the simple fact of being human moves people to care for the environment of which they are a
part, Christians in their turn “realize that their responsibility within creation, and their duty
towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith”. LS#64

Man was created to work and that 

work is the stewardship of all of the creation
that God has given him.

In Colossians 3:23-24 Paul writes:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the
Lord Christ you are serving.

***** Moment of short silence for reflection with instrumental music *****
 Activity 4:

P A R A-L I T U R G Y
ON

CARE FOR CREATION

I. OPENING SONG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qh3A7sDZeo
(How lovely is your dwelling place)
OR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71AQtpJnhJ4
(Awit ng Papuri)

II. OPENING PRAYER:

Psalm 144: Hymn of All Creation to the Almighty Creator

1 
Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.
2 
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.
4 
Praise him, you highest heavensand you waters above the skies.

5 
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for at his command they were created,
6 
and he established them for ever and ever—he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 
Praise the LORD from the earth,you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
10 
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
11 
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 
young men and women, old men and children.

13 
Let them praise the name of the LORD,for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]the
praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

III. BIBLE READING:

Genesis 1; 2:4-7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0xy_9h5bio

(God's Wonderful Creation Is Good)

IV. SHORT REFLECTION

***** Moment of short silence for reflection with instrumental music *****

Quite often, we observe an aspect of nature that inspires us to more fully appreciate God and
His Creation. Mountains, oceans, lakes, rivers or trees, can also help us to know more about the
Almighty Creator, whose wisdom goes far beyond human knowledge. 
 Through all of the magnificent Creation, we can see the character and attributes of its Creator.
In the strong oak trees we can see His strength. Through the majestic mountains, we can see His glory
and majesty. Through the creation of the human body, we observe His creativity and intricacy.
These examples are just a minute fraction of what we can learn of God through His Creation.

When we view the wonder of His Creation, we stand in awe because of the power and other
characteristics which are so evident. We also stand in humility. The more we see of the beauty of
Creation, the more we can humble ourselves before our great God.
V. PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

O, God, our loving Creator and Giver of all good gifts, bless each of us, strengthen our faith and
grant us the spirit of Christian stewardship so that we may give generously of our time, talent and
treasure to spreadYour kingdom here in our school and throughout the world. For this, we pray to the
Lord.
Lord, hear our prayers.

 That we may receive the grace to respect and care for God’s creation, let us pray to the Lord.

 That all creatures may be blessed as a sign of God’s wondrous love, let us pray to the Lord.

 That we may work to end the suffering of those in poverty and bring healing to all of God’s creation, let
us pray to the Lord.

 That we may use our technological inventiveness to undo the damage we have done to God’s creation
and to sustain God’s gift of nature, let us pray to the Lord.

VI. THE SAINT FRANCIS PLEDGE

I/We Pledge to:

 PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.

 LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of the common issues on our
common home.

 ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, school, community, and parishes contribute to care
for the earth by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.

 ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to the destruction of our
common home.

 ADVOCATEhelping people increase awareness on global issues and give them facts or knowledge to
protect our common home.

VII. CLOSING PRAYER

St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun

O most high, almighty, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing!

Praised be my Lord God with all creatures; and especially our brother the sun, which brings us the day, and the
light; fair is he, and shining with a very great splendor: O Lord, he signifies you to us!

Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for the stars, which God has set clear and lovely in heaven.

Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather, by which you
uphold in life all creatures.
Praised be my Lord for our sister water, which is very serviceable to us, and humble, and precious, and clean.

Praised be my Lord for brother fire, through which you give us light in the darkness: and he is bright, and
pleasant, and very mighty, and strong.

Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth, which sustains us and keeps us, and yields diverse fruits, and
flowers of many colors, and grass.

Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for God's love's sake, and who endure weakness and
tribulation; blessed are they who peaceably shall endure, for you, 0 most High, shall give them a crown!
Praised be my Lord for our sister, the death of the body, from which no one escapes. Woe to him who dies in
mortal sin!

Blessed are they who are found walking by your most holy will, for the second death shall have no power to
do them harm.

Praise you, and bless you the Lord, and give thanks to God, and serve God with great humility.

VIII. CLOSING SONG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y_nQheGGXg
(AngLahat ng Bagay ay Magkaugnay)

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!

ccnadonga2017onlaudatosi