Becoming Committed

How our Holy Father, Pope Francis encourages the people of God to become informed about today's environmental challenges
and to then understand the need for change and action.

Materials

Videos:

Program Twelve: Becoming Committed

Website:

Documents:

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Twelve is to empower and strongly encourage the people of God to become informed about environmental issues – and to then act, accordingly.

Steps

1. Show the video " Program Twelve: Becoming Committed”

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

• How can I become more involved with the environment?
  
• How is the environment and faith connected?
  
• 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.