Laudato Si’ – 10 Years of Inspiration and Action
Welcome to this special issue of Blessing: A Photo Journal of the Wheaton Franciscans, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.
Inspired by St. Francis and St. Clare, we honor all creation as sacred and interconnected. Pope Francis repeatedly emphasized that the crisis over the environment and the crisis of global poverty and marginalization of people are intimately related.
In this special issue, we share highlights from our 2024 Laudato Si’ Report, our Lenten Donation Drive supporting immigrants and migrants, and the April celebration of “Our Sister, Mother Earth.” Thank you to all who help protect God’s creation—planet and people.
“Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.”
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Highlights From Our 2024 LSAP Report
Catholic communities across the United States and the globe are celebrating a profound milestone: the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology and care for our common home. In 2024, we upheld our commitment to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) through a variety of service initiatives.
Year after year, our Wheaton Franciscan community continues to be transformed by the Laudato Si’ way of life. From helping those in need to caring for Mother Earth, together we achieved successes during Year Three of our LSAP commitment.
“The natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone.”
Laudato Si’ 95
Tammy Winn-Bocher, Administrative Asstant;
CC Ida Kelsey; CC Jeanne Connolly, Ed.D., Director of Charism and Mission;
Sr Bea Hernandez, OSF, Regional JPIC Coordinator;
CC Sharon Niemet
Rooted in our 2024 focus Journey Together: Called to BE Love, the community hosted a “closet fast” to support refugees and migrants while encouraging sustainable giving. Throughout the year, over $7,400 in gift cards and cash donations were collected for local food pantries, refugee support services, and those facing housing or health challenges.
Advocacy efforts included letter-writing campaigns for hunger-related legislation and year-round action through the JPIC office on issues like peace in Gaza and environmental protection. Additionally, the Wheaton Franciscan Ministry Fund continued its outreach by supporting nearly 100 organizations aligned with these values.
Lenten Donation Drive 2025
In this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis invited us to be pilgrims of hope, choosing love in a world often marked by uncertainty and injustice. He reminded us that love is shown through kindness. We supported Exodus World Services by preparing Household Care Packs for 12 refugee families. We also helped restock shelves at the People’s Resource Center (PRC), Neighborhood Food Pantry in West Chicago, and 6000 Moms NFP. Additionally, $1,750 was collected and shared with ICDI (Illinois Community of Displaced Immigrants) and Bethany House of Hospitality.
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Our Sister, Mother Earth
“Be really present with your planetary host.”
Anne Dillard
A large crowd gathered on a breezy April 22 to honor creation and plant a flowering tree in the St. Clare Garden. Sr. Bea Hernandez welcomed the attending Sisters, Covenant Companions, OLA Associates, and other guests, inviting them to sing, listen to the readings, and enjoy the blossoming garden.