Ministry hosts movie viewing of ‘The Letter’

Parishioners within the Archdiocese of Newark have been inspired to take action after viewing “The Letter” film, the Pope’s call to action on climate change. After the film’s release in late December, members of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Environmental Justice Task Force set up local screenings to raise awareness of the effects of climate change.

The film is a call to action led by Pope Francis in conversation with five individuals invited to Rome in August 2021 for an open discussion on the Pope’s Encyclical Letter, “Laudato Si’ – On Care for our Common Home.” Those invited to be a part of the film came from Senegal, Brazil, India, Hawaii, and Ireland and represented climate refugees, Indigenous peoples, Youth–Teenage Climate Justice Advocates, and marine life and biodiversity advocates. The film is a collaboration between the Laudato Si’ Movement and the Vatican.

As area residents suffered in July from severe air quality issues in which government officials warned us to stay inside and limit outdoor exposure due to forest fires in Canada, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, dedicated his June 23 “Rejoice in the Lord,” to a discussion of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home).

“In this letter, the Holy Father builds on the teaching of his predecessors (especially St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI) and calls for a conversion of mind and heart regarding our attitude toward the environment. He also challenges us to act in ways that are both eco-friendly and committed to resolving the problems of human society,” Cardinal Tobin writes.

Local screenings

St. Andrew’s Parish in Westwood held two screenings on Jan. 28 and 29 – one in English and one in Spanish. The parish Creation Care Team, partnering with Westwood’s Green Team and the Audubon Society, coordinated the screening. After the film, a reflection handout inspired discussion, and attendees were also given informational handouts, according to Team Parish Liaison Susan Mary Leyden.

St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit offered two screenings (morning and evening) on April 13. The Parish Green Faith Ministry arranged for the film screenings, said St. Theresa’s Parish Liaison is Karen Venturella.

Notre Dame Parish, North Caldwell, and St. Aloysius Parish, Caldwell jointly hosted a screening of “The Letter” on May 2 at Notre Dame, with 25 participants attending in person and eight through Zoom. At the end of the screening, all received a “letter” to return on May 9 for follow-up discussion and to brainstorm action ideas. Seventeen participants returned to brainstorm ways to put the Pope’s call to action into practice.  Ideas were centered on food, consumption, worship, and recycling. All who attended the film received a copy of the Action Steps.  Initially, they plan to have an educational booth at the Caldwell Street Fair in October to encourage recycling and care for the environment according to parish liaisons Sheila Fant of Notre Dame and Marianne Autorino of St. Aloysius.

Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Park Ridge showed “The Letter” on May 23, with about 25 people attending the viewing. After the film, each person was given a “letter” handout and asked to write what changes they would like to make to help the environment. The Social Justice and Peace Ministry created a “mailbox” for individuals to drop in their letters. Additional letters were made available to all parishioners to drop their ideas in the mailbox placed in the Parish Gathering Space. The Parish Ministry has compiled responses with the intent of sending a letter to the Vatican about the viewing of the film and the parish’s commitment to climate change, according to parish liaisons Virginia Millard and Patricia Dellosso.

St. Catharine’s Parish in Glen Rock held a viewing on May 24, with about 35 attending the film and follow-up discussion. Participants were given a “letter” after the screening inviting them to join a study group during the Season of Creation, held Sept.1 through Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, said parish liaison Ann Marie Brennan.

Sacred Heart Parish in Lyndhurst held a viewing of “The Letter” on June 22. The audience was small but very interested and glad for the opportunity to see the film, said parish liaison Gerald Dalzell. The Parish Bulletin will include notices on the Laudato Si’ Program. 

“The Letter” is available on YouTube Originals through TheLetterFilm.org.

Environmental Justice Task Force meetings

At the Archdiocese of Newark’s Environmental Justice Task Force meeting, liaisons said they took to heart Cardinal Tobin’s “call for action, responsible stewardship of God’s creation” in his June 23 “Rejoice in the Lord.”

“As stewards of all God’s creation, we have to change the way we live,” Cardinal Tobin writes. “We have to advocate for new laws and policies in our local, national, and world communities that respond to both ‘the cry of the Earth’ and ‘the cry of the poor.’ Change does not come easily to us. That’s why Laudato Si’ is a prophetic statement, as well as a hope-filled song of praise.”

To find out more about the Archdiocese of Newark Environmental Justice Task Force and when they meet click here.