In the wake of Pope Francis’s passing, Catholic leaders across Georgia are deepening their commitment to care for our common home—a call central to his papacy and to the Church’s broader mission of ecological conversion.

A recent WSB-TV feature highlighted the work of several metro Atlanta parishes including St. John Newmann responding to the Holy Father’s call by launching sustainability initiatives and educational efforts within their communities. From solar panel installations to parish gardens and energy audits, these faithful actions are tangible expressions of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s encyclical that challenges us as a moral imperative to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

On Thursday, March 13th, members of the Laudato Si’ Initiative (LSI) leadership and Care and Creation Teams from across the Archdiocese of Atlanta gathered at the chancery for a day of collaboration, reflection, and planning for the year ahead. The gathering was an opportunity not only to share updates on local parish and school efforts but also to strengthen relationships and renew our collective commitment to caring for God’s creation.

Throughout the day, a spirit of fellowship and shared mission was evident as participants exchanged ideas, successes, and challenges from their communities.