Aaron Lemma

By Aaron Lemma • Posted January 23, 2026

Last week Pope Leo XIV declared a “Special Year of St. Francis,” designating a Franciscan Jubilee Year until January 2027. This designation will honor the 800th year since this remarkable saint’s death.

In Philadelphia, EcoPhilly continues the environmental legacy of St. Francis all year long. EcoPhilly is a network of creation care teams in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and the group is mobilizing to invite more Catholics to get involved in this important work.

Last July, EcoPhilly was awarded a grant from the Ambassador’s Fund for Catholic Education. Through the grant, the group embarked on several pilot programs for students and teachers in Catholic schools around the archdiocese, as well as a collaboration with the  Missionary Hub initiative – see TrustandHope.org to learn more.

These and other efforts promote ecological education and action, as called for in Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 encyclical.

Echoing Archbishop Nelson Pérez’s words when he gave EcoPhilly his blessing, we hope that you, too, will “Please engage with these efforts to care for God’s creation.”

Save the Date: EcoPhilly Annual Summit May 9 at Villanova University

This year’s EcoPhilly Annual Summit will be held in the Connelly Center at Villanova University on May 9, 2026. The group is grateful to their partners in Villanova’s Office for Sustainability, which is leading Villanova’s efforts as a Laudato Si’ University.

The summit will offer a variety of presentations, breakout sessions, and opportunities to mobilize this work at your parish, school, or institution. Last year’s annual summit drew 120 participants and was the launch point for EcoPhilly’s recent work. Learn more and see updates at https://ecophilly.org/summit.

EcoPhilly Mini Grant Applications Due March 1, 2026

Through the Ambassador’s Fund, EcoPhilly has $10,000 to distribute via mini grants to promote Laudato Si’ throughout the Archdiocese. We are seeking proposals that foster eco-spirituality and environmental action, engaging Catholic communities in the Philadelphia region to care for the Earth and its people.

Projects should promote care for creation in your parish, school or institution; foster continued interest; and spur future action. Applications are due by March 1, 2026. Learn more at https://ecophilly.org/mini-grants.

Hub Life Sessions on Care for God’s Creation

As part of the Archbishop’s Missionary Hub initiative, the Strategy Office and Catholic Leadership Institute are facilitating Hub Life Sessions with focuses on different areas of interest that emerged from last year’s listening sessions around the region.

EcoPhilly is happy to be partners on three of these Hub Life Sessions titled “Care for God’s Creation.” These sessions are ideal for any individual interested in learning more about creation care efforts as an “on-ramp” and bringing a creation care team, event, or program to their parish. To learn more and sign up, click here.

Upcoming Session Dates and Locations:

  • Saturday, Feb. 28, 9-11a.m., Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA 19454
  • Week of March 9 (Date and Time TBD), Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
  • Tuesday, April 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Holy Innocents Parish, 1337 E. Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124

EcoPhilly Educators Workshop on March 5

To better support teachers and school administrators in bringing creation care to their classrooms and school communities, the EcoPhilly Education Committee is organizing a workshop March 5 at St. Joseph’s University.

All interested teachers and school leaders are welcome to attend. Learn more at https://ecophilly.org/educators-workshop.

Student Fellow Offering After-School Programs for Catholic Grade Schools

In a partnership with the Alliance for Catholic Education at St. Joseph’s University, a student fellow is working with EcoPhilly to pilot after-school programs and service initiatives at Catholic elementary schools across Philadelphia.

Students from grades three through eight are learning more about the environment and how to care for the world God created. To learn more about this program or explore how to get your school involved, email info@ecophilly.org.

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Aaron Lemma is a member of EcoPhilly’s leadership team. He also serves as Outreach and Operations Manager at Water is Life Kenya, a nonprofit organization that brings clean water, opportunity, and hope to the Maasai people of Southern Kenya.