Laudato Si: Two half day sessions
Praise Be! On Care of Our Common Home : Loving God in the Heart of Creation
“Laudato si” is an encyclical by Pope Francis that emphasizes the urgent need for environmental stewardship and addresses the moral implications of ecological degradation.
Using the three Movements of Laudato si:
- Listening to Creation with Song (Opening/Listening/Sunscape),
- Hearing Creation’s Cry (Compassionate Care for Our Common Home),
- Responding to the Call – Discernment Action (Active Hope; Faith response/Incarnation).
These three sessions will awaken wonder and reverence for the Mystery of God’s love spilling forth in the glory of creation. Incorporating Psalms, music, spiritual poetry, and spiritual journaling, the gatherings will be both informative and gentle balm for the soul.
Participants will experience nature-based spiritual practices, including a prayerful reflection practice that helps us notice how we relate to God, one another and the natural world. Together, we will explore what integral ecology truly means — how caring for the earth is connected to caring for one another and for our shared future. As Pope Leo reminds us, caring for our common home “responds to a cry that is both human and divine.”
Together, we’ll listen, reflect, and respond to God’s love in the heart of creation. Praise Be!
Bio: Laura Weber, PhD served for 35 years as a professor of biblical and systematic Theology in three midwestern Jesuit universities, as a certified spiritual companion in numerous retreat centers, and a center for spiritual ecology.
Program Date and Time:
- Sunday, April 12 th 1:30pm – 4:30pm
- Sunday, April 19 th , 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Cost: $80/per person for both classes
Capacity: 25
Soil to Soul : Urban Gardening
Aye Akoda: Aye Akoda is an urban gardener, educator, and community project manager whose work is rooted in healing, service, and conscious living. For Aye, the garden is both sanctuary and classroom. Preparing the soil mirrors inner healing. Planting seeds reflects trust. Tending growth teaches patience, presence, and compassion. Through this lens, gardening becomes a partnership with God. Since 2019, Aye has maintained a home garden with their family, growing food, sharing abundance, and modeling accessible, sustainable practices.
Through programs such as Soil to Soul™ Urban Gardening, Aye helps individuals remember that healing, growth, and nourishment often begin quietly, with intention, compassion, and a willingness to trust the process. The program introduces participants to the fundamentals of gardening while also exploring the interconnectedness of living systems. The experience combines hands-on learning with reflective journaling and is intentionally designed to be accessible to individuals with disabilities through adaptable activities and flexible participation. At the end of the 4-week class the participants will have their own take home garden they started.
Class Time: Saturdays (3 week session) April 11, 18, 25 from 1-2pm
May 9, 16, 23 from 1-2pm
Class Size: 16
Price: $100.00 for one three-week session
