Instilling a Sense of Wonder and Responsibility for the Natural World
As Catholics we believe that the earth belongs to the Lord. Acknowledging this truth, we accept that God’s creation and all His creatures on Earth have an inherent value beyond a utility or usefulness for human beings. We are called to respect the integrity of creation: to live in harmony with all of creation, not to exploit what we can for our own self-interest.
How we live on God’s earth cannot be disconnected by how we live in community as social beings. If we are to sustain ourselves in authentic development and community, we must maintain a healthy environment and establish a beneficial economy for all. Social, economic and environmental justice becomes one.
To serve the greater glory of God means to be responsible stewards of creation while serving and caring for one another. To serve the common good of all is to be in harmony with God as co-creators. Just as God sees us as one community, His sons and daughters, we should see the web of life as one — and each of us as caring stewards.
Everyone Can Participate in Stewardship
[Editors Note: The following excerpt has been adapted from the Fall 2011 edition of the “Catholic Rural Life” magazine.] Not everyone…
Blog
Part II: Agricultural Life of Carmelite Nuns
[Editor’s note: This is Part II of a two-part story on the Carmelite Nuns project in rural Fairfield, PA. Read…
Blog
Agricultural Life of Carmelite Nuns
[Editor’s note: This is Part I of a two-part story on the Carmelite Nuns project in rural Fairfield, PA.] Bill…
Blog
Musings on Migration
Six months ago, my husband and I and our children moved from Southwest Florida to Minnesota. It was the…
Blog
Prayer in Advent
Advent is a time of watching and waiting. We watch, wait and pray for the coming of the Christ Child…
Blog
Learning Gratitude from St. Martin de Tours
The Thanksgiving holiday invites us to reflect on the true meaning of giving thanks. St. Martin de Tours, whose feast…
Blog
Herbicide Controversy: Care for our Common Home Part II
This is Part II of a two part series. Read Part I here. Our perspective at Catholic Rural Life is…
Blog
Herbicide Controversy: Care for our Common Home? Part I
Catholic Rural Life has followed media reports about the growing controversy surrounding the herbicide dicamba. This weedkiller has been around…
Blog
Rest in God: Enjoying and Caring for Creation
In these recent days, I have been taking time for rest and relaxation. For months, people have been encouraging me…
Blog
Yes to the Honey, but I’ll Pass on the Locusts
In our yard there’s a huge fig tree. About eight years ago, one of the Labs chewed the branches down…
Blog