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Aaron Lemma<\/p>\n
By Aaron Lemma \u2022 Posted January 23, 2026 <\/p>\n
Last week Pope Leo XIV declared a \u201cSpecial Year of St. Francis,\u201d designating a Franciscan Jubilee Year<\/a> until January 2027. This designation will honor the 800th year since this remarkable saint\u2019s death.<\/p>\n In Philadelphia, EcoPhilly<\/a> continues the environmental legacy of St. Francis all year long. EcoPhilly is a network of creation care teams in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and the group is mobilizing to invite more Catholics to get involved in this important work.<\/p>\n Last July, EcoPhilly was awarded a grant from the Ambassador\u2019s Fund for Catholic Education<\/a>. Through the grant, the group embarked on several pilot programs for students and teachers in Catholic schools around the archdiocese, as well as a collaboration with the \u00a0Missionary Hub initiative<\/a> \u2013 see TrustandHope.org<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n These and other efforts promote ecological education and action, as called for in Laudato Si\u2019: On Care for Our Common Home<\/a>, Pope Francis\u2019 landmark 2015 encyclical.<\/p>\n Echoing Archbishop Nelson P\u00e9rez\u2019s words when he gave EcoPhilly his blessing, we hope that you, too, will \u201cPlease engage with these efforts to care for God\u2019s creation.\u201d<\/p>\n Save the Date: EcoPhilly Annual Summit May 9 at Villanova University <\/strong><\/p>\n This year\u2019s EcoPhilly Annual Summit will be held in the Connelly Center at Villanova University on May 9, 2026. The group is grateful to their partners in Villanova\u2019s Office for Sustainability<\/a>, which is leading Villanova\u2019s efforts as a Laudato Si\u2019 University.<\/p>\n The summit will offer a variety of presentations, breakout sessions, and opportunities to mobilize this work at your parish, school, or institution. Last year\u2019s annual summit<\/a> drew 120 participants and was the launch point for EcoPhilly\u2019s recent work. Learn more and see updates at https:\/\/ecophilly.org\/summit<\/a>.<\/p>\n EcoPhilly Mini Grant Applications Due March 1, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Through the Ambassador\u2019s Fund, EcoPhilly has $10,000 to distribute via mini grants to promote Laudato Si\u2019 throughout the Archdiocese. We are seeking proposals that foster eco-spirituality and environmental action, engaging Catholic communities in the Philadelphia region to care for the Earth and its people.<\/p>\n Projects should promote care for creation in your parish, school or institution; foster continued interest; and spur future action. Applications are due by March 1, 2026. Learn more at https:\/\/ecophilly.org\/mini-grants<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hub Life Sessions on Care for God\u2019s Creation <\/strong><\/p>\n As part of the Archbishop\u2019s Missionary Hub initiative, the Strategy Office and Catholic Leadership Institute are facilitating Hub Life Sessions with focuses on different areas of interest that emerged from last year\u2019s listening sessions around the region.<\/p>\n EcoPhilly is happy to be partners on three of these Hub Life Sessions titled \u201cCare for God\u2019s Creation.\u201d These sessions are ideal for any individual interested in learning more about creation care efforts as an \u201con-ramp\u201d and bringing a creation care team, event, or program to their parish. To learn more and sign up, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Upcoming Session Dates and Locations:<\/p>\n EcoPhilly Educators Workshop on March 5<\/strong><\/p>\n To better support teachers and school administrators in bringing creation care to their classrooms and school communities, the EcoPhilly Education Committee is organizing a workshop March 5 at St. Joseph\u2019s University.<\/p>\n All interested teachers and school leaders are welcome to attend. Learn more at https:\/\/ecophilly.org\/educators-workshop<\/a>.<\/p>\n Student Fellow Offering After-School Programs for Catholic Grade Schools<\/strong><\/p>\n In a partnership with the Alliance for Catholic Education at St. Joseph\u2019s University<\/a>, a student fellow is working with EcoPhilly to pilot after-school programs and service initiatives at Catholic elementary schools across Philadelphia.<\/p>\n\n