These lilies, a symbol of life's beauty, remind me of Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), also known as the Little Flower.

Pope Francis challenged us to move beyond a superficial understanding of environmentalism. He emphasized the intrinsic dignity of every creature, symbiosis, and the moral imperative to care for the planet that sustains us.

How does the calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ differ from being a Lay Apostle? Can the Laity be called to both?

Participation takes different forms according to people’s different gifts and offices, but there is a fundamental obligation arising from the sacrament of Baptism (cf. Pope John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, 15): that people place their gifts, their resources—their selves—at God’s service in and through the Church.

A framework to develop new ministry at your church is not just a task but a sacred journey that requires prayer and intentionality.