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- Herausgeber: anna ruggieri
- Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
- Sprache: Englisch
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
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Cover
Praise for God Made That!
“‘We have received a garden from the Creator, we must not leave a desert to our children,’ Pope Francis repeats often. I believe God Made That! effectively responds to this appeal, solidly inspired by Catholic tradition, ranging from Saint Francis of Assisi to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.”
—Fr. Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam, Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
“This detailed handbook will not only help children to better observe the world around them but will also open up their eyes to see the beautiful interconnectedness of God’s creation. Combining instruction on ecology, saint stories, prayer and Scripture readings, an intro to Catholic Social Teaching, and tons of practical, child-centered activities, this book is sure to be a fun and educational addition to any Catholic kid’s library, teaching them that faith and science indeed go hand in hand!”
—Katherine Bogner, teacher, author, and blogger at LookToHimAndBeRadiant.com
“I enthusiastically recommend God Made That! for anyone with school-age children in their life. Its friendly and approachable text provides an abundance of spiritual and scientific information. As a result, it leads to a better understanding of God’s creation as both a gift and a responsibility. . . . As the mother of two children in elementary school, I was pleased to see that the book has information, activities, and spiritual examples for environments ranging across forests, lakes, deserts, seashores, and even tundra, so that no matter where you live—or where your family may travel on vacation or pilgrimage—you can use this field guide to develop a deeper appreciation for nature and its Creator. God Made That! is a kid-friendly education in both theology and ecology. I recommend this guide for anyone who wants children to develop a sense of gratitude for and responsibility toward God’s gift of our common home.”
—Melissa Miscevic Bramble, Director of Operations, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine
“God Made That! is a beautiful and wholesome educational resource that wonderfully combines faith and science. The combination of saints, nature, activities, and learning makes this book a must-have for all families desiring an interactive faith-based education for their children.”
—Kelsey Westman, homeschooling mom and content creator at Faithful Acres Farmhouse
“This is exactly the kind of book I would have obsessed over as a kid. It’s bursting at the seams with wonder and adventure! Beautifully grounded in Sacred Scripture and Tradition, God Made That! breaks open the gift of creation in a way that fosters vibrant stewardship, true brotherhood, and a lived relationship with God. Weaving together the truths of our faith, the wonders of scientific discovery, and the wisdom of traditional land knowledge, God Made That! offers a treasure for the classroom, the home, and the field! Whether poring over its fascinating facts indoors on a rainy day or carting it along as a guide on an outdoor adventure, children are sure to find inspiration for their walk with God here on Earth.”
—Sr. Orianne Pietra René Dyck, FSP, author of Dive Deep: 40 Days with God at Sea
“As an Indigenous Catholic catechist of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan, I highly endorse the book God Made That! For me, this text represents the sacred circle of life. Its holistic approach reminds us that God is the center and source of all creation. Therefore, the challenge for us is to live in harmony with God, the environment, all peoples, and the biodiversity of the many species on mother Earth, our common home. By reflecting with Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and our own personal stories, we become more aware of our relationship and interconnectedness to all of God’s creation. We are all relatives. This excellent resource is educational and leads one to reflection, prayer, and action. It is a wonderful tool for educators, parents, and learners of all ages.”
—Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSA
“‘Be praised, my Lord, for . . .’ Saint Francis of Assisi celebrated and praised the fact that everything in God’s creation is connected. He called the sun his brother and the moon his sister. God Made That! is a testament to the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Kateri. Readers, young and old, will enjoy this excellent book and be filled with the Spirit as they turn each page.”
—Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial, Our Lady of the Angels Province
“God Made That! is a must-have resource for anyone seeking to protect, cherish, and embrace Earth, our common home. Packed full of beautiful art, factual data, activity ideas, and companionship of the saints, this field guide will be a living, breathing gift for any family or classroom. I can’t wait to venture out and explore with God Made That!”
—Lisa M. Hendey, author of I Am Earth’s Keeper
“Caring for God’s incredible creation is so deeply embedded within our Scriptures and the deep history of our faith and written into our very biological processes. God Made That! does an amazing job of connecting our Earth to our faith, Scriptures, saints, and our God, and will inspire a deep sense of awe and wonder in every reader through a better understanding of our home from the broad sense down to the plants and birds. Reading this book gave me great joy and a rooted sense of connection to our Creator!”
—Anna Johnson, Senior Programs Manager, Laudato Si Movement
Title Page
GOD MADE THAT!
CATHOLIC NATURE FIELD GUIDE
BY KATHLEEN M. HOENKE AND WILLIAM A. JACOBS
ILLUSTRATED BY FIONA OSBALDSTONE
Copyright-page
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Joseph Briody, S.S.L., S.T.D.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023935900
ISBN 10: 0-8198-3164-6ISBN 13: 978-0-8198-3165-1
Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. The publisher apologizes for any errors or omissions in the following list and would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this book.
Scripture quotations contained herein unless otherwise noted are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture text where noted is taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and is used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
All papal and magisterial texts copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione-Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
The English translation of the Apostles’ Creed from The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Illustrated by Fiona Osbaldstone
Design by the Daughters of St. Paul
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
“P” and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of St. Paul.
Copyright © 2025, Kathleen M. Hoenke and William A. Jacobs
Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Paul’s Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491
eBook by ePUBoo.com
www.pauline.org
Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
30 29 28 27 26 25
For Finn and Ella, may you forever wander in the wonders of nature, finding in its beauty a path that leads you to God.
—K.H.
To my parents, Julia and Walter, and my grandparents, for their faith, love, and respect for people and nature. To my beloved wife, Lynn, my wonderful children, Erin, Cara, and Willy, and their spouses, and my precious grandchildren, Jacob and Jonah, who bring joy to my life. A special dedication to Cristina Gaztelu Vargas, whose faith and courage have been invaluable.
—B.J.
Contents
Foreword
The brilliant and faith-filled authors of this field guide have spent many years observing God’s beautiful design in nature. They have studied the important role humans have in protecting it.
Exploring our world helps us grow in love and understanding of God and his awesome creation. Bill Jacobs, one of the authors of this book, once said to me that so much of the trouble in the world is because we “have lost our relationship with the land. We have forgotten where we’ve come from.” He’s right. God speaks to us through nature, which is why it can be so much easier to slow down, think, and pray outdoors.
My favorite feature of God Made That! is the traditional wisdom of Indigenous peoples that is skillfully woven in with scientific information and prayerful thanksgiving. We can learn so much about how to care for nature from the original people of this continent. Who better to learn from than those who have thrived on North American land for tens of thousands of years?
I am an enrolled citizen of the Mohawk Nation. This means that my ancestors were the original inhabitants of eastern New York State. I am from the same tribe as Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a holy Mohawk woman who loved God and nature. Mohawks and other Indigenous communities believe that, when making decisions, it is important to think of the people who haven’t been born yet. This is known as the Seventh-Generation principle. This is especially important when interacting with the environment. God calls us to take care of the Earth so that it will be just as beautiful and abundant for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.
I am so excited for you to experience this field guide. It is full of mind-boggling facts, captivating stories, and delightful activities for exploring where you live. It will help you learn and appreciate how people live in communion with nature, and what we can do to help care for this gift from God. God gave us this very important job from the beginning of creation. As an Indigenous person, I am thrilled to know that young Catholics are learning about nature in a way that honors traditional wisdom and love of our Creator. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Shauna’h Fuegen, OFS
Preface
Welcome to this field guide!
This is a guide to our homes on Earth, the places where human beings live, including habitats, ecosystems, and biomes, and the characteristic species of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that live on the Earth. It is also a guide to how our experience of nature can help us connect with God and grow in our friendship with him. God created the world as a gift to us and wants us to enjoy exploring it!
This field guide is inspired by Catholic ecology. Ecology is the study of the relationships between people, plants, animals, and all other living things and their physical surroundings. These physical surroundings are also called the environment, which is made of both living and non-living things. Plants, animals, and non-living things are created by God. They are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. People are called to be good stewards of creation (all that God has created), beginning with the places where we live.
This book talks about the science of ecology. It also looks at what the Bible and the Church teach us about our relationship with the world and each other. As we explore creation and see how it helps us become closer to God, we are following in a long line of people who have done the same thing. Throughout this book we will meet saints and other members of the Church who give an example of loving and caring for all God’s creatures.
Some of the words that might be new for you are defined in the glossary beginning on page 187. The first time they are used they are in bold italics—like this.
This guide can be used anywhere—at home, in the classroom, or in the field. It offers a way for us to learn on our own, and it can also help parents and teachers teach ecology as an integral part of our Catholic faith. Some activities are best used in the biome of that chapter, and some can be done anywhere. Most of the activities are meant to get us outside, observing and exploring nature!
Prepare to Explore!
Nature Safety
Go with a friend, family member, or teacher. Use the buddy system.
Always ask permission and let someone know where you will be and when you are coming back.
Learn about an area before you go. If you are exploring a park, is there a map? Are there any hazards such as wide streams or steep hills that might pose a problem? Are the trails marked? Is the nature hike too long?
Check the weather before you go.
Drink water before, during, and after outdoor activities.
Bring whatever you may need in the field, such as water, snacks, warm clothes, sturdy shoes, compass, whistle, insect repellent, cell phone, sunscreen, and a hat.
Look down for holes, rocks, logs, mud, sharp sticks, steep cliffs, and anything else you might step on, trip over, fall into, slip on, or get stuck in.
Look up for standing dead trees (called snags), sharp branches, broken tree limbs, wires, and anything else that might fall or be dangerous. Do not touch wires.
Do not swim or go into water alone.
Remember road safety. Watch out for cars when you’re near a road.
Learn to identify and avoid poison ivy and other poisonous plants and berries. Poison ivy has groups of three leaves, and we say, “Leaves of three, let it be.” Not only should you not eat any plant that has not been positively identified, but you should also wash your hands before eating or even before touching your face, in case you have come into contact with something poisonous.
Watch out and listen for snakes, wasp nests, bears, mosquitoes, and other potentially dangerous wildlife.
Avoid getting stung by a bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, or fire ant. Some people may have a serious allergic reaction to insect stings.
If you live in an area with ticks, try to avoid tall grass and brush. Use a tick repellant if needed, with adult supervision. Check your clothes as you go and check yourself carefully for ticks when you get home. Remove ticks promptly, within twenty-four hours.
Be careful about too much heat. (Young children can overheat quickly and at lower temperatures than adults.) Take frequent breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water.
Know who to call and where to go in an emergency.
If you get lost, stay put in a safe place until help arrives.
Before You Go Outside . . .
Pack this book.
You might also want to bring a sketchbook or a notebook to write notes about what you see. This can be your Nature Journal. Throughout this book you will find prompts about things you can write about in your journal, and ideas for things to sketch. You will need your Nature Journal for most of the suggested activities.
A few of the activities in this book suggest using the internet to find information. Because sites are always changing, we recommend that kids and grownups explore these resources together. Read more about this on the Resources page 177.
If you have a cell phone with internet access, consider using an app called iNaturalist that will help you identify and record all the species you observe. You can find more information on the Resources page, 177.
Part 1
Chapter 1
Our Common Home
Our Homes on Earth
What kind of a home do you live in? There are many kinds of homes. Some homes are small, and some are big. Some homes have a backyard, and some do not. Some homes are in the city, some are in the country, and some are in between. Some of us struggle to find a home, and some of us move around.
The Earth is everybody’s home—our common home. Common means shared. The Earth is the planet we live on. God created it as a gift for all people. Studying about our world is an important way for us to learn about God and his love for us.
Many Kinds of Creatures
The Earth is home to many kinds of beautiful plants and animals of different sizes, shapes, and colors. Together, the many kinds of living and non-living things on Earth tell us more about God than any one thing tells us by itself. The great variety of living things, or organisms, on Earth is known as biodiversity. The parts of the Earth that support life make up the biosphere. This field book primarily explores plant and animal life.
Differences in organisms exist because those organisms live in many different kinds of homes and natural communities.
Living beings, such as people, plants, and animals, are all God’s creatures. Non-living things, such as air, water, rocks, and soil are also God’s creatures, because everything has been created by God. In this field book the words beings, things, and creatures all have the same meaning. All three words are used throughout the book. Many Church documents also use these words in this way.
Saint Josephine Bakhita once said, “I remembered looking at the moon and stars and the beautiful things in nature and saying to myself, ‘Who is the master of all these beautiful things?’ And I experienced a great desire to see him and know him and honor him. And now I do know him. Thank you, thank you, my God!”1
Like Saint Josephine, you may feel amazement when you experience the peace and beauty of nature. You might wonder, How could God create something so beautiful? And just imagine—God thinks of you as more marvelous than all of the plants and animals. The human person is his greatest creation of all!
People are special to God. We are created in his image and likeness. We can love, reason with our minds, and choose to do good. Of all the creatures on Earth, only people are called to know and love God.
What Is a Biome?
A biome is a large community of organisms that includes people, plants, and animals. A biome makes up a large area of the Earth. Within each biome, plants, animals, and other organisms share similar ways of living because they share the same climate and landscape. Climate is the weather of an area over a long period of time.
Organisms develop changes that help them fit the conditions found in their particular biome. These changes are called adaptations.
This field guide contains chapters about nine biomes found in North America and the islands of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. You probably live in or near one of these biomes.
A forest is a community of plants, animals, and other living things that is dominated by trees. Forests are important for people and many kinds of plants, animals, and other organisms. They provide shelter, air, water, food, wood, and medicines. Forests are found where there is enough water moisture to grow trees. We will look at four forest biomes: temperate deciduous forest, coniferous forest, temperate rainforest, and tropical rainforest.
A grassland is an area where the plant life is dominated by grasses. Grasslands have few trees, unlike forests, which have many trees. A grassland has enough water moisture to grow grasses and wildflowers, but may not have enough water moisture to grow trees.
