Environmental Action Ministry

 

God saw all that had been made, and indeed it was very good.  - Genesis 1:31

Did you know that  

  • Church faith tradition and Catholic Social Teaching offer a rich moral and ethical perspective on environmental issues?
  • There are many personal and parish service opportunities to be good stewards of creation and to help the poor who bear the worst effects of environmental degradation?
  • The Social Concerns Outreach Environmental Action Ministry works to increase awareness and education, foster reflection and collaboration, and channel goodwill into action?

We support individual and parish participation in the St. Francis Pledge (Catholic Climate Covenant).  Take the pledge below. 

Click here http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/ for more information about the Catholic view of environmental stewardship, actions and resources.

 

The St. Francis Pledge (Catholic Climate Covenant)

I/We Pledge to:

  • PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
  • LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
  • ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
  • ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
  • ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.

At Blessed Sacrament, the Environmental Action Ministry fosters individual and the parish action that honors the St. Francis Pledge (Catholic Climate Covenant) through:

  • Promoting educational events, speakers and resources
    • Promote St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor
    • Sponsor educational programs in the parish for adults and in the schools
    • Participate in local environmental educational forums and activities
    • Obtain The Green Bible for the Parish Library
  • Integrating care for the environment with parish life
    • Encourage energy efficiency and the 3 R’s (Reduce, reuse and recycle)
    • Propose future environmental sustainability initiatives for Centennial plans
    • Collaborate with other parishes and churches on environmental issues
  • Developing activities for action
    • Conduct a Parish Energy Efficiency Audit
    • Develop garden “grow-a-row” program for food banks
    • Recommend a Carbon Fast during Lent
    • Organize Parish Greening, Clean-up Events for Earth Day

We hope to do more!.  Please join us.  Right now we need volunteers to:

  • Help with a garden grow-a-row for food banks
  • Recruit educational speakers
  • Organize Earth Day events
  • Write about our activities for newsletters and the webpage

For more information, please contact Kevin Kelley, Coordinator, Environmental Action Ministry, at or 301-564-9449.