ALLENTOWN, NJ – Coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, Catholics from across New Jersey gathered at Francis House of Prayer in Allentown to officially establish the New Jersey Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) North America on Sat. Oct. 11. The new chapter brings together Catholics from two dioceses (Trenton and Camden), and the Archdiocese of Newark. As a Chapter of LSM, the group is committed to prayer, formation, and Gospel-inspired peaceful action in response to the urgent call to care for our common home.
“New Jersey’s faithful are responding actively to Pope Leo’s call to raise hope for care of creation by moving from words to action,” said Chapter Leader Terrence Thompson. “On October 11, perhaps not coincidentally, the anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, faithful parishioners from three dioceses held the inaugural meeting of the New Jersey Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Under the light of St. Damian’s Cross, we entered into agreement to support one another in spiritual nourishment, constant learning, and strong advocacy for meaningful action.”
“The formation of the New Jersey Chapter marks another wonderful milestone in the growing network of Laudato Si’ Movement chapters across North America,” said Anna Johnson, North America Senior Programs Manager for Laudato Si’ Movement. “These faith-filled communities are united in ecological conversion, education, and action inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’. New Jersey is filled with Catholics, rich biodiversity, and essential ecosystems, and the coming together of Catholics who care for God’s creation is so vital to supporting the health of all. Together, with other chapters, they represent a growing movement of individuals who are committed to caring for creation.”
Over 30 participants took part in the daylong gathering, which opened with a morning of reflection and retreat led by Jill Snyder, Spiritual Director of Francis House of Prayer. Snyder guided attendees through an an exercise in contemplation, seeking to discern the leadings of the Holy Spirit for the formation of the new chapter. In the afternoon, participants discussed the values and mission of the Laudato Si’ Movement, reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the chapter, and formed working groups focused on education, communication, advocacy, and spirituality.
The day concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Thompson, and board members Rita Read, Tom Reischman, Glenn Miller, and Brandon Romero. The day closed with a celebration of the Eucharist led by Msgr. Vincent Garland, offering thanks to God for the Spirit-led beginning of this new chapter in the Garden State.
“The gathering was mindful of the Scripture, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain,’ (Ps. 127:1) and recognized that building the Chapter into a statewide network that would fulfill LSM’s mission in New Jersey had to be Spirit-led,” added Thompson.
The formation of the New Jersey Chapter marks another milestone in the growing network of Laudato Si’ Movement chapters across North America.
