Our Commitment to Care for Creation
Inspired by Pope Francis’s profound call to action in Laudato Si’, our church is dedicated to the care of our common home. In his encyclical, Pope Francis reminds us that “the Earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor” (Laudato Si’, 2). He calls on all of humanity to embrace ecological responsibility as an essential part of our faith and moral duty. Read Pope Francis’ encyclical letter LAUDATO SI’ HERE.
As stewards of God’s creation, we pledge to:
- Promote Sustainability: Reduce waste, conserve resources, and adopt sustainable practices in all aspects of parish life.
- Educate and Advocate: Raise awareness about environmental issues and advocate for policies that protect the Earth and its vulnerable communities.
- Engage in Action: Participate in restoration projects, care for local ecosystems, and support global efforts to address climate change.
Together, we aim to foster a culture of gratitude, responsibility, and reverence for the world God has entrusted to us. We invite our parishioners and community to join us in answering Pope Francis’s urgent appeal to “hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si’, 49).
Parish Environmental Initiatives
The following list highlights parish initiatives that are currently under discussion or being implemented as part of our collective effort to embrace Pope Francis’ call for ecological awareness and action.
- Sustainable Waste Management
- Use biodegradable trash bags for all waste collection.
- Transition to compostable or biodegradable cutlery, plates, and cups for all parish events.
- Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in offices, meeting spaces, and common areas.
- Partner with a commercial recycling program for larger waste disposal needs.
- Promote waste reduction strategies across all parish activities (e.g., reusing materials, minimizing single-use items).
- Energy Conservation and Efficiency
- Install energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the parish campus.
- Conduct a professional energy audit of all buildings to identify and address inefficiencies.
- Optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for reduced energy consumption.
- Water Stewardship
- Install water-saving devices such as low-flow toilets and faucets.
- Regularly monitor for leaks and implement water conservation practices across the campus.
- Sustainable Paper Use
- Transition to digital communications and records wherever possible to go paperless.
- Use paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper made from 100% recycled materials.
- Provide options for digital programs or bulletins during Mass and events.
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices
- Use only environmentally safe, non-toxic cleaning products for all campus maintenance.
- Green Devotional Practices
- Participate in the Recycled Devotional Candles program to reduce waste from votive candles.
- Community Education and Involvement
- Host workshops or presentations on sustainable living, recycling, and energy conservation.
- Encourage parishioners to adopt similar eco-friendly practices in their homes and workplaces.
- Form a Green Team or Environmental Ministry to oversee ongoing initiatives and suggest new ones.
- Eco-Friendly Grounds Maintenance
- Use native plants and drought-tolerant landscaping to reduce water usage.
- Incorporate composting for yard waste and encourage its use for flowerbeds and gardens.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction
- Investigate opportunities to install solar panels or purchase renewable energy credits.