Here are some Green suggestions:

• Think twice before shopping.
• Watch The Story of Stuff (http://storyofstuff.org) and learn more about the zero waste movement (https://www.ecocycle.org/zerowaste). 
• Read the full text of Pope Francis' Encylical, Laudato Si, Be Praised, On Care for Our Common Home

Today I am going to depart from sharing a Homily with you. As you know a homily is a reflection on the Word of God which is an integral part of the Eucharistic Liturgy. Rather than speak on either of the readings today I would like to recognize the fact that beginning today and continuing on to the 24th of this month Pope Francis has asked us to reflect and observe the fifth anniversary of his letter Laudato Si on Care for our common home, the earth.

The Caronavirus 19 has two things in Common with Climate Change; both are a crisis; and both rest on the fact that everything is connected. There are differences, of course, the Caronavirus 19 is what we might say is “right in our faces”, it is very present. People are dying all over the world in large numbers. Only the hardest of hearts can close their eyes to it. It has forced us to take unusual steps to control it, (wearing masks, frequent washing of hands, social distancing and wearing of masks. Many people are taking these steps to protect themselves and others)

On the other hand the issue of climate change has not affected most of us with that kind of impact. We do know that it is a fact that, even now is affecting adversely most of the poorer people in other nations. But to us it seems remote. That is why Pope Francis has added his voice to that of other leaders in the religious and scientific world asking us to take seriously the responsibility we have Care for our Common Home.

If we did not take steps to inhibit the spread of the Corona Virus, we would have allowed it to cause the deaths of many more people. We would have to take responsibility for that. So too, we have a moral and religious responsibility to the care of the earth. It is a moral responsibility because it is a question of making it more difficult for the generations that follow us to be able to live decent and safe lives here. It is a religious responsibility because the earth is God's creation and to violate it or not respect it by caring for it, we are committing acts of desecration and failing to observe God's command that we not dominate or destroy the world but rather take care of it, tend it in His name as His servants.

It is Pope Francis’ desire that all of us read and respond to his letter Laudato Si and that during these day from the 16th to the 24th we pray that the conscience of all people be moved to love and take care of this wonderful earth which is our home. I want to close with the prayer Pope Francis is asking us to say this week. You can also find it on line.

Common prayer for the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’

Loving God, Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them, You created us in your image and made us stewards of all your creation, of our common home. You blessed us with the sun, water and bountiful land so that all might be nourished. Open our minds and touch our hearts, so that we may attend to your gift of creation. Help us to be conscious that our common home belongs not only to us, but to all future generations, and that it is our responsibility to preserve it. May we help each person secure the food and resources that they need. Be present to those in need in these trying times, especially the poorest and those most at risk of being left behind. Transform our fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation into hope so that we may experience a true conversion of the heart. Help us to show creative solidarity in addressing the consequences of this global pandemic, Make us courageous to embrace the changes that are needed in search of the common good, Now more than ever may we feel that we are all interconnected, in our efforts to lift up the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen