Caring for Creation: How Faith and Stewardship Go Hand in Hand

by Diocese of Des Moines | July 28, 2026

By Ryan Johnson

For Rita and Kenan Bresnan, caring for the Earth is not primarily about recycling bins or environmental programs. It is about encountering Jesus more deeply through gratitude, prayer and a renewed awareness that our planet is a gift from God.

“In his encyclical, ‘Laudato Si,’ Pope Francis explains that it is a moral imperative for all believers to care for his creation — our earthly home and the poor,” said Rita Bresnan. “Kenan and I encourage everyone to read ‘Laudato Si.’ It is very easy to read and can provide a basis for a true ecological conversion.”

During the past several years, Rita has chaired the Creation Care Team in its efforts at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianola. Creation Care is a faith-based approach to protecting and responsibly stewarding God’s creation, including the Earth, its resources and all living things.

The couple regularly speaks to Catholic parishes and Protestant congregations across Iowa. Their presentations focus not only on practical ways parishes can care for the environment, but also how care of creation can deepen faith.

For Kenan, the journey began while working for Catholic Charities and accompanying Bishop Richard Pates during the release of “Laudato Si” in 2015.

“I read the document, and my interest really started right then,” said Ken. “I thought it was fascinating.”

Rita came to the ministry from a different direction. A cradle Catholic and lifelong educator, she took part in a JustFaith environmental study several years ago.

“Being an educator my whole life, I decided that I would like to educate people about the environmental crisis and specifically about ‘Laudato Si,’” she said.

The couple later organized a four-week study at their parish — with the support of Father Chris Fontannini — and eventually expanded their work to other organizations and parishes. The current pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas — Father Adam Westphal — has continued this support.

Roots of Gratitude

Their love for creation was shaped long before either one read the pope’s encyclical. Rita grew up on a farm in Iowa where her parents taught her about conservation. Appreciation for the land was part of her family’s everyday life.

“My dad always said, ‘there’s not going to be water around forever if you don’t conserve it,’” she said. “I just grew up with dirt under my fingernails.”

Kenan remembers years spent driving Iowa highways as a traveling salesman.

“The beauty of the cornfields and open fields [after harvesting] just stayed with me,” he said.

Over time, those experiences began reshaping their spiritual lives.

“You start with the first chapter of Genesis and the world being created, and it just gives you an awe of God,” he said. “As I was starting to recognize the gift the Earth was, I started to realize that thanksgiving should be a bigger part of my prayer life.”

Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, the team began exploring prayers, quotes from “Laudato Si,” information on prairie ecosystems, reflections, ecological stations of the cross, etc. The team then incorporated these into prayer stations along the natural prairie.

“One of the facts in the Gospel is Jesus came for the poor,” said Kenan. “When you study this type of thing, you see the poorest of the poor suffering from environmental problems.”

Rita said she and Kenan believe even small actions can become spiritual practices.

“We always encourage families to pray before meals and give thanks to God for his beautiful creation,” she said. “The Earth is a gift, and if you get a gift, you want to take care of it.”

The Bresnans hope more parishes will begin Creation Care teams, even if they start small.

“We are not authorities on anything,” said Rita. “I’m not a scientist. I’m not a theologian. But I feel like we can all do something.”

For the couple, that “something” begins with gratitude and allowing care of creation to draw people closer to Christ.

For more information about starting a Creation Care team at your parish, contact Rita at ritabresnan@gmail.com.