Laudato Si’ Week 2023 will be celebrated May 21-28, to mark the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for creation. This global celebration will unite Catholics to rejoice in the progress we have made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been at the forefront of the Laudato Si’ movement in the Church of the Diocese of Columbus.  I am glad to have signed a letter to the Dicastery in Rome informing Pope Francis  of our desire to be counted among the ranks of the Universal Church who will stand with him in making a difference for the future of our children and our children’s children.  


His Eminence,
Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J.
Prefetto, Dicastero per lo Sviluppo Umano Integrale
Palazzo San Calisto
00120 Citta del Vaticano

Your Eminence:

At this time, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Grove City, Ohio, USA, makes a commitment to participate in Pope Francis’ 7-Year Journey Towards Integral Ecology and understands that the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will officially enroll our parish and schools in the Journey.  We understand that as a Laudato Si parish, we will chart our own course through the Journey, with the assistance of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.  Over this past year we have gathered a group of parishioners, faculty, students, administrators, staff, and neighbors to develop a Laudato Si’ Action Plan for our parish that will boldly advance integral ecology, which is represented in the seven holistic Laudato Si’ Goals:

  • The Cry of the Earth
  • The Cry of the Poor
  • Ecological Economics
  • Sustainable Lifestyles
  • Ecological Education
  • Ecological Spirituality
  • Advocacy

We further understand that our parish will annually report to the Dicastery on its progress and participate in communication with other parishes on the Journey around the world. In year 7, we will celebrate our accomplishments and those of our fellow parishes and enjoy Pope Francis’ formal recognition of our work as a Laudato Si’ parish.

We appreciate this opportunity to advance Pope Francis’ powerful Laudato Si’ message and are pleased to make this commitment.

In Christ,
Fr. Joseph T. Yokum
Pastor
May 1, 2023