NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home

Join us in caring for God's Creation.

Our mission is to inspire and mobilize the Catholic community to care for our common home and achieve climate and ecological justice, all with the urgency the times require.

As Pope Francis writes in his landmark encyclical, On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si, the earth “now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse … . the earth herself. . . . . is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; . . . We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.”

Laudato si' (24 May 2015) In Pope Francis’ words, It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face.

For a summary of the Pope's encyclical, see Laudato Si' Summary & Action Steps | Catholic Climate Covenant

More information:

The Call

About Us

How You Can Help in Your Parish

Whether you have a Caring for Creation ministry of 1 person or 20, these programs are available, free and ready to implement.

Laudato Si Circle

Creation Care Teams

Solar and Energy Efficiency Installations

Greener Lent

One Day Events

Youth Education

Laudato Si' Action Platform plan to be Drafted for the Diocese of Raleigh

A Laudato Si' Action Platform plan is to be drafted for the Diocese of Raleigh in follow-up to a Laudato Si' Leadership Cohort | USCCB in January 2026. One of our members was invited to attend this year's cohort, where they learned about developing such a plan. There are 18 diocese's throughout the country who are developing a Diocescan Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP) plan. Bishop Luis has tasked NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home (N4CH) to develop the plan for the Diocese of Raleigh.

Learn more about the Laudato Si' Action Platform

Diocese of Raleigh Student Art Showcase: How Do I Care for God's Creation

Who: All ECC-12th grade students in Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Schools. These pictures will be used in an online Art Showcase by NC Catholics Magazine. A link to the online Art Showcase will be provided to schools to share.

What: Design original artwork that shows how the student does or can Care for God’s Creation?.

How:

• Landscape (horizontal) layout
• Students may use a variety of media, such as watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, or markers.
• Artwork should be original, easy to see, read and understand.
• Pre-K classes may submit a class project
• Teachers, please submit a total of 3 pieces of art from each of these grade categories: ECC - 2nd grades, 3rd - 5th grades, 6th- 8th grades, 9th- 10th grades, and 11th - 12th grades.

Teachers send digital pictures or scans of artwork in .jpg digital images in 16:9 size along with the completed Teacher Submission Form to the Art Showcase committee at: michellerose@nccommonhome.org

When: Deadline is March 20, 2026 for an Earth Day (April 22, 2026) unveiling online by NC Catholics Magazine. Complete information is in the ‘How Do I Care for God’s Planet?’ Art Showcase Information packet:

2026_How_Do_I_Care_for_God's_Creation_Art_Showcase_Info.docx (DOCX, 200KB)

Art_Showcase_Teacher_Submission_Form.docx (DOCX, 114KB)

2026_How_Do_I_Care_for_God's_Creation_ Flyer.docx (DOCX, 444KB)

If you have questions after reading the packet, please contact the Art Showcase committee at: michellerose@nccommonhome.org

Join this weekly study of Pope Leo's 1st apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te - on love for the poor.

Join this February 2026 weekly study of Pope Leo's 1st apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te - on love for the poor. The first 3 Tuesdays in Feb. we meet by Zoom for discussion, with an activity benefiting the poor during the 4th week. NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home (N4CH) has developed this study using materials from the USCCB and the Vatican's Dicastery for Integral Human Development.

Why you may want to join: so that by studying the poor, intellectually, we may love Jesus spiritually in the poor. We hope that by seeing Pope Leo's view of the poor, our hearts will be changed.

Sign up

Read from Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te of the Holy Father Leo XIV on Love for the Poor (4 October 2025) Please read before our meeting if you can:

• Week one: Prologue (sections 1-3), Chapter 1 (A Few Essential Words - sections 4 - 15), Chapter 2 (God chooses the Poor - sections 16 - 34), Chapter 3 (A Church for the Poor - only sections 35-40. end after section 40)
• Week two: Chapter 3 (A Church for the Poor - sections 41-79)
• Week 3: Chapter 3 (A Church for the Poor - sections 79-81), Chapter 4 (A History that continues - sections 82-102), Chapter 5 (A Constant Challenge - sections 103-121).
• Week four: group activity benefiting the poor.

Únase a este estudio semanal de febrero de 2026 sobre la primera exhortación apostólica del Papa León.

JÚnase a este estudio semanal de febrero de 2026 sobre la primera exhortación apostólica del Papa León. Las primeras 3 semanas nos reuniremos por Zoom para discutir, con una actividad en beneficio de los pobres durante la cuarta semana. Reuniones de Zoom en español los jueves 5, 12 y 19 de 6 a 7 p.m. ET, con actividad la última semana de febrero.

NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home (N4CH) ha desarrollado este estudio utilizando materiales de la USCCB y del Dicasterio para el Desarrollo Humano Integral del Vaticano.

Por qué puede querer unirse: para que, al estudiar a los pobres intelectualmente, podamos amar a Jesús espiritualmente en los pobres. Esperamos que al ver la visión del Papa León sobre los pobres, nuestros corazones sean transformados.

Registraction

Este estudio se ofrece en inglés y en español.Lea la Exhortación Apostólica Dilexi te del Santo Padre León XIV sobre el amor hacia los pobres (4 de octubre de 2025) Por favor, lean antes de nuestra reunión si pueden:

• Semana uno: Prólogo (secciones 1-3), Capítulo 1 (Algunas palabras esenciales - secciones 4-15), Capítulo 2 (Dios elige a los pobres - secciones 16-34), Capítulo 3 (Una iglesia para los pobres - solo secciones 35-40, termina después de la sección 40)
• Semana dos: Capítulo 3 (Una iglesia para los pobres - secciones 41-79)
• Semana tres: Capítulo 3 (Una iglesia para los pobres - secciones 79-81), Capítulo 4 (Una historia que continúa - secciones 82-102), Capítulo 5 (Un desafío constante - secciones 103-121)
• Semana cuatro: actividad grupal en beneficio de los pobres.

Thank You

Electronic Recycling with Kramden Institute is a win-win-win situation. Parishioners are able to clear out their unwanted items. Kramden Institute can help more people bridge the "digital divide". And diverting equipment from the landfill helps protect God's creation!

There was a successful drive at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral: Desktops – 7, Laptops (many with chargers) – 31, All-in-One - 2, Tablets – 12, Cell Phones – 50, Monitors – 12, Keyboards - 12, 6 lg boxes full of cords, networking equipment, mice, etc.

St. Raphael also had a hugely successful drive: Desktops – 37, Laptops – 81, Tablets – 56, Cell Phones – 107, Monitors – 36, “All-in-Ones” – 2

Thank You

NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home hosted a meaningful Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation with Jubilee plenary indulgence on October 11. Seventeen pilgrims participated from as far away as Wilmington, NC. You can replicate this sacred opportunity to pray for the grace to encounter Christ in Creation and renew our relationships with God, the Earth, and one another by using the resources at: Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation | Diocese of Raleigh

Use the prayers document and other resources to go on your own pilgrimage to one of the 4 DOR designated Jubilee sacred sites up to and including Epiphany Jan 6, 2026: HNOJ Cathedral in Raleigh, Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary in Wilmington, Mother of Mercy Church in Washington, St. Patrick Church in Fayetteville and St. Paul in New Bern, known today as Old St. Paul.

N4CH wishes you many blessings on your journey.