Honoring the Future® is partnering with Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, Washington, DC to produce a program reflecting on Pope Francis’ recent letter – or “encyclical” – on the environment. Three world-renowned, award-winning artists and the Co-Director of the Boston College Center for Social Innovation will lead a discussion of how the Pope’s message on climate change might change our lives.
“The Pope’s letter is addressed to ‘every person living on this planet’,” observed Fran Dubrowski, Honoring the Future project director. “The letter, and the Pope’s upcoming U.S. visit, provide an opportunity for all Americans to pause and consider what each of us can do to respond to climate change – individually and together with our community – where we live, work, study, and play.”
Pope Francis’ letter “challenges us to consider how we live and the impact of our lives not just on the earth but on all other people, particularly the most vulnerable, living on the earth. It is, in short, a call to reflect upon our individual and societal moral priorities,” said Kate Tromble, Holy Trinity Pastoral Associate for Social Justice.
The jointly sponsored program, entitled Climate SmART: Honoring Our Children’s Future Through Faith, Art and Action, will take place September 12, 2015 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in Holy Trinity’s Multi-Purpose Room, 3510 O Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007. The program will conclude with a “Meet the Artists Reception.” The event is free and open to the public.
Panelists include:
- Peter Handler, award-winning craft artist and creator of The Canaries in the Coal Mine, sculptural works about the impacts of climate change
- Xavier Cortada, internationally renowned muralist and creator of Ichthys, a digital artwork welcoming Pope Francis’ climate change message and U.S. visit
- Lillian Ball, internationally recognized environmental artist and designer of stormwater management projects, including WATERWASH®
- Tiziana Dearing, Co-Director of the Boston College Center for Social Innovation and former President, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston
- Frances Dubrowski, Honoring the Future project director, will moderate the discussion.
The program will initiate a “Year of Reflection” at Holy Trinity parish on the meaning and import of the Pope’s letter. Planned events include lectures, book discussion groups, practical information sessions, service opportunities, nature walks – even a “most creative urban garden” competition. “We hope this year-long series of events will provide models for other parishes, faith-based institutions, schools, and community organizations to follow,” Dubrowski said. “As Pope Francis emphasized, ‘everyone’s talents and involvement are needed’ to redress human damage to the environment.”
