Vivian Anderson, a senior at University of Georgia and a member of the Catholic Center, checks out a honeybee. The bee is part of a hive started by the UGA Catholic Center as an initiative from Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’.” Honey was harvested from “Laudato Si” hives erected at the center.

ATHENS—The Laudato Si’ Squad, of the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, is comprised of a small group of students who collaborate with the community to spread awareness of human connection to the rest of God’s creation and each other.

The group is focused on initiatives at the Catholic Center, from planting native flower gardens and composting/recycling to beekeeping.

The students gained inspiration from Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” released in June 2015. They are also following the action plan established by the Atlanta Archdiocese to implement the document.

They have harvested the first batch of their “Laudato Bee Honey” and are selling it to raise money for Laudato Si’-inspired projects. The group plans to help students go on alternative spring break trips, such as Cuba; El Salvador; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota; Philadelphia; Camden, New Jersey; Costa Rica; and the Arizona/Mexico border.

To view a short video about the UGA Catholic Center Beehive, visit http://bit.ly/2uD4Rem.