Sacred Heart parish is an Earth Care parish. As a member of the Caritas Earth Care program we endeavour through our ongoing actions to adopt sustainable practices on our church sites, reduce our ecological footprint and cultivate a deep love and care for God’s Creation and our Common Home. Our actions and activities are guided by the calls of the seven goals of Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical, Laudato Si’ (Praise be to You). https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
Calls to Earth Care and Sacred Heart Parish’s Response:
| Laudato Si’ Goal | Sacred Heart Parish activities |
|---|---|
| LS Goal 1 calls us to respond to the Cry of the Earth by addressing the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability | Recycling collection program; annual garage and fashion sales reducing landfill; replanting of native garden areas |
| LS Goal 2 calls us to respond to the Cry of the Poor by defending human life from conception to death, and all forms of life on Earth, especially vulnerable and marginalised groups. | Jesuit Refugee Service food drive during Lent; Christmas gifts in a Shoebox for refugees; the work of our local St Vincent de Paul conference; toiletries drive for Catholic Care Springwood |
| LS Goal 3 calls us to engage in Ecological Economics by choosing goods and services with a positive impact on people and planet. | Fairtrade coffee and tea used for Wednesday morning Cuppa’s Together; refill washing up detergent at the local Co-op; updated the hot water system in the hall to be more energy efficient |
| ● LS Goal 4 calls us to adopt a more Sustainable Lifestyle by setting healthy standards and limits for our consumption. | Reusable crockery and cutlery is used for parish functions; produce from the Parish’s Community Kitchen Garden is shared with those in need |
| LS Goal 5 highlights the importance of Ecological Education and invites us to foster our ecological awareness. | Distribute annual Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Social Justice Statements; share Caritas videos during Lent |
| LS Goal 6 calls us to develop and nourish an Ecological Spirituality and to love both God and God’s creation. | Use our stunning forest for the Stations of the Cross at Eastertime; seats installed in our grounds invite people to sit, reflect and take in the natural beauty; Mass in the Megalong Valley embraces and immerses us in God’s Creation (4pm, 3rd Friday of the month) |
| LS Goal 7 calls us on a synodal journey of Community Engagement & Participatory Action to protect our common home. | Table talk for refugees and asylum seekers; Community Kitchen garden workshops on composting and worm farm |
Kerry Stone is the National Caritas Earthcare parish program co-ordinator and provides support through online meetings and resources. Kerry can be contacted at Kerry.Stone@caritas.org.au, www.caritas.org.au/catholic-earthcare