Note: March 12 conference postponed due to inclement weather. New date TBA.

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington to Host Conference on Environmental Protection, "Why Should I Care for Our Common Home?" this Saturday, March 12, at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, Va.

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Dan Misleh, Founder of Catholic Climate Covenant, to Headline Event

ARLINGTON, Va. - On Saturday, March 12, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington's Peace and Justice Commission is hosting “Why Should I Care for Our Common Home?” The conference is intended to highlight Pope Francis' call for humanity to care for all creation and ways in which participants can carry out this call. The evening begins with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington, and dinner. Dan Misleh, founder of Catholic Climate Covenant, will present on the responsibility of Catholics to care for creation followed by a panel discussion. Registration is required, below.

“We all share a common vocation to be good stewards of God's creation. In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, we give thanks to God for the gift of creation and, in its beauty, see a sign of God's creativity and presence in our midst. Through this awareness, we are reminded, yet again, of Our Lord's infinite love for us,” said Bishop Burbidge. “There are many good efforts taking place throughout our diocese that help care for and protect God's creation. We are pursuing many opportunities to lower energy consumption, reduce emissions, and improve the quality of air and light in our buildings. As stewards of the natural world, may we join with renewed intention in ensuring all people have the resources necessary to fulfill their God-given purpose.”

What:
"Why Should I Care for Our Common Home," Conference on Environmental Protection

When:
5 p.m. Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
6 p.m. Dinner
6:45 p.m. Keynote with Dan Misleh. Panel to follow. 

Where:
Nativity Catholic Church
6400 Nativity Ln
Burke, VA 22015

(The Mass will be available for viewing via live stream at https://www.youtube.com/c/NativityParishBurke. The Conference will be available via live stream on the diocesan YouTube channel.)

Registration is still open: 
Register at https://careforourcommonhome.eventbrite.com

The panel will discuss steps the Diocese is taking to increase sustainable practices in its parishes and teach care for all creation in its schools, and practical ways individuals can protect the environment. Panelists include Andrew Shulman, Director of the Diocese of Arlington's Office of Planning, Construction and Facilities, Lonnell Battle, Assistant Principal for Academics, Bishop Ireton High School, and Meghan Goodwin, Associate Director of Government Relations, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

This conference is in response to Pope Francis' call to care for the whole human family and all of creation as laid out in his encyclical Laudato Si′: On Care for Our Common Home. The evening will launch a seven-year effort to teach and implement this encyclical throughout the diocese.

For additional information on the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, visit arlingtondiocese.org. Interested media, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

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The Catholic Diocese of Arlington was established on August 13, 1974, and is home to 70 parishes and more than 460,000 Catholics. There are currently 276 priests serving in the Diocese and 49 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, one virtual school, four diocesan high schools, five independent Catholic schools and three free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 16,800 students. 

Geographically, the Diocese includes the seven cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester and the 21 counties of Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland.