Do Not Despair

Evidence of the environment in trouble can give rise to fear and despair, especially among young people. We are encouraged to act out of hope,
and to simply, each of us, do whatever is possible.

Materials

Videos:

Program Ten: Do Not Despair

Website:

Visit the websites of people interviewed for this series

Documents:

Read the original documents for papal statements quotes in this program:

John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Common Declaration of John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (June 10, 2002)
Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Common Declaration of Benedict XVI and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (November 30, 2006)
Francis, Message to UN Convention on Climate Change (December 11, 2014)

Books:

Ten Commandments for the Environment
Benedict XVI. Ave Maria Press. 2009.

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Ten is to introduce to the eighth theme of the CCCB document “Building a New Culture – Central Themes in Recent Church Teaching on the Environment” and to discover that, despite all the “bad news” about the environment, our faith calls us to live in hope and to do whatever we can to bring about positive change.

Steps

1. Show the video "Program Ten: Do Not Despair”

2. Ask students to form small groups to describe the following impressions from the video:

What is the eight theme of the document and why is it important?
How is St. Gabriel’s Parish a green space?
What did you know after viewing the video that you didn't know before?
Which quote from what pope in this episode means the most to you and why?

3. Option for Take-Home Assignment. Using the internet links offered here, find more facts about:

Existing Catholic eco justice initiatives
The writings of Popes on the environment

4. Write 1.5 pages on the results of your research.

5. Group discussion

In groups, first share your short essays and then, asking one person to represent the discussion, make presentations to the class about any or all of the above.
Include suggestions on how students could start an ongoing eco justice project or become involved with local Catholic eco justice projects already in existence.