Josephites Launch Final Laudato Si’ Conversation Package in Five Part Urgent Hope Series
In recognition of Laudato Si’ Week (17 – 24 May) and its theme From Hope to Action, the Josephite Laudato Si’ Action Plan Team presents its final Conversation Package in the five-part URGENT HOPE series.
Titled Voices in a Suffering World, this community and educational resource has been developed by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in collaboration with the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar to spark discussion, inform, and inspire people of hope.
Voices in a Suffering World focuses on the crucial imperative to use our voices for positive and lasting change. The crisis in 2026 is different from what it was in 2015 when Laudato Si’ was launched. The clear direction from Pope Francis’ lament is the call to engage urgently with political advocacy.
The lead authors, Sister Jan Barnett rsj (Josephite Justice Co-Ordinator) and Sister Mary Ellen O’Donoghue rsj (Congregational Leadership Team), believe it is this call to political advocacy which is at the heart of Conversation Package Five.
“Throughout Laudate Deum, Pope Francis underscored the need for every one of us to respond to the global and social crisis with unrelenting action,” say Sr Jan. “The exhortation was a clear assertion that acknowledgement of the science and subsequent personal activity will not be sufficient to deal with the accelerating challenges now confronting the planet.
“This urgent need demands more than individual and communal achievements. Without systemic change on the part of governments and world powers, the actions of individuals and communities will fail to achieve the necessary transformation essential to heal earth and all of creation. Advocacy and political action are critical.”
Read and share Voices in a Suffering World to facilitate conversations, reflect on the climate crisis and encourage positive action and advocacy. Use the questions and Pope Francis’ quotes from Laudate Deum to spark discussion, share countering views and form ways to move forward.
You are also welcome to visit the Sisters of Saint Joseph website for more Laudato Si’ updates, tips and inspiration here.
Feel free to share Voices in a Suffering World with students, friends and family!