Pope Francis’ teachings on synodality, environment make local impact

Pope Francis’ teachings and writings have had a major influence on several programs in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, notably its two-year Seek the City to Come initiative and its ongoing evangelization efforts.

Julie St. Croix, director of the Office of Parish Renewal and director of Seek the City to Come, said Pope Francis’ philosophies on synodality and universal outreach have been guiding forces.

St. Croix called Pope Francis’ 2013 apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”) a “game-changer.” 

“He really showed us that we should take it to heart and challenge everyone to renew their personal encounter with Christ,” St. Croix said. “He showed in a beautiful way that Christ never tires of forgiving us.”

She said it was extremely relevant to her evangelization work.

“He called all of us to go to the periphery,” she said, noting his work with the imprisoned and impoverished. “He has always gone into the periphery. The church has to stop being this enclosed space. We need to be bold. Evangelization is for everybody.”

St. Croix loved when Pope Francis used the term “sour puss” to describe the way he didn’t want Catholics to act.

“His synodal way is about very active listening – really listening to where people are and taking it to heart,” she said. “We really tried to allow that spirit to work in Seek the City, listening to everyone and valuing their thoughts.”

Dr. Abigail Kula, an associate professor of environmental science at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, said Pope Francis has been an inspiration to her profession as an educator.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Kula, who started work at Mount St. Mary’s in 2014 shortly before Pope Francis issued his “Laudato Si’” encyclical in 2015 “On the Care of Our Common Home.” “It was such a validation of the work that I do in education.”

Kula, a graduate of Texas A&M and a parishioner of St. Francis Parish in Fulton, said Pope Francis’ teachings have been a great motivator for her and her students.

“It’s important for students to see the connection between our world and what happens when we don’t take care of the environment and how it impacts others,” said Kula, who is working along with her students on a new recycling plan for the Emmitsburg campus.

Kula and her students helped the Daughters of Charity study and then implement a biodiversity campaign on the Daughters’ Emmitsburg properties.

“Mount St. Mary’s was my first experience at a Catholic school,” Kula said. “Pope Francis really put an emphasis on the worldwide importance of what I was doing to educate and inspire students.”

The Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg have a unique connection to Pope Francis since he lived at one of the Daughters’ residences at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a building adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Daughter of Charity Sister Mary Jo Stein said her order has been inspired to transform their properties in Emmitsburg into ecologically friendly sites.

“We are grateful for his leadership to do good works,” said Sister Mary Jo, a member of the Daughters of Charity for 38 years who grew up in Catonsville and attended St. Agnes School and Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville. “He gives us a sense of hope and encouragement to safeguard the world for the future.”

Sister Mary Jo said the Daughters are working in Emmitsburg with Mount St. Mary’s students to improve their properties’ habitat, improving conditions for birds, insects and pollinators. Mount St. Mary’s students did a two-year assessment of the property and are now helping with the hands-on changes.

“As Daughters of Charity, the pope’s guidance has fit perfectly with our mission to serve persons in poverty and respect all life,” Sister Mary Jo said. “He shows us that we have to get involved to care for our common home.”

Email Gerry Jackson at Gjackson@CatholicReview.org

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