“Oikos” – What is That? Is it a sound a pig makes?

The word oikos is a new one for me. It is a Greek word meaning Earth Community. This year’s Season of Creation theme was: “A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God.” It ran Sept. 1–Oct. 4, and includes the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology, and of course, the Feast Day of Mary Frances Clarke. Intricately connected with the Season of Creation is the global movement called The Laudato Si’ Platform. This movement was launched May 25 by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Catholic Climate Covenant, the International Union of Superiors General Sowing Hope for the Planet, and the Joint Commission of Justice: Peace, Integrity of Creation. Its purpose is to engage people at the grassroots in Catholic institutions across the globe to begin a seven-year journey of “integral ecology.” It encourages each organization to support seven goals of sustainability and to develop their own platform emerging from the Catholic institution’s charism and accomplishments. For the goals and inspiration, check the website at laudatosiactionplatform.org.

Also, to learn more about how people worldwide are caring for creation, get a free “Season of Creation Guide: A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God” by going to seasonofcreation.org. Participating in the Laudato Si’ Platform and Season of Creation fits into our new Directional Statement to “widen our global awareness and connections,” as well as “working for a just, equitable, and sustainable world in which all flourish.” I hope you check out these sites. In the meantime, I will thank God for fresh air, reduce my trash, repurpose, and increase recycling. I will also contact my elected officials and insist they support legislation that addresses climate change. I will also ruminate on my new word, oikos, and ponder its meaning in my life. It has great potential.