LaudatoOn Care for Our Common HomeSi’
A Parish Toolkit on the Encyclical by Pope Francis Archdiocese of Washington June 2015
CHALLENGES FROM LAUDATO SI’
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of 4 virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (217) 1. CELEBRATE Beauty
“See nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness…The world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.” (12)
God created the world as a gift and our common home. In natural beauty we see signs of the Father’s love for us, his majesty, and his blessings. Celebrating beauty draws us beyond our self- interest into appreciation and gratitude for all Creation.
ACTION: Take time to be outside! Find REFLECTION: What can I hear God saying Make a commitment this week to serve the needs of the poor in a concrete way. Consider the natural beauty in your community, and to me when I experience the beauty of opportunities through Catholic Charities (Catholiccharitiesdc.org) or Catholic Relief in doing so offer thanks to God for the nature?
beauty of all created things, includingServices one (www.CRS.org).
another.
2. LIVE in a Global Community
“We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.” (229)
Since everyone and everything is created by God, all of creation is interconnected. Recognizing this draws us into a spirituality of global solidarity, especially prioritizing the needs of those who cannot protect themselves: the poor, weak, and vulnerable. Practicing solidarity helps us overcome the temptation toward individualism and self-interest.
ACTION: Make a commitment this week REFLECTION: Who are the people in my to serve the needs of the poor in a community or the larger world I don’t think concrete way. Consider opportunities or pray about? How do the daily choices I through Catholic Charities make have an impact on the poor? (Use of (Catholiccharitiesdc.org) or Catholic Relief natural resources, how I spend time and Services (www.CRS.org). money, where I shop, etc.)
3. SLOW DOWN and Unplug
“Inner peace is closely related to care for ecology and for the common good because, lived out authentically, it is reflected in a balanced lifestyle together with a capacity for wonder which takes us to a deeper understanding of life. Nature is filled with words of love, but how can we listen to them amid constant noise, interminable and nerve-wracking distractions, or the cult of appearances? Many people today sense a profound imbalance which drives them to frenetic activity and makes them feel busy, in a constant hurry which in turn leads them to ride rough-shod over everything around them.” (225)
By the work of our hands God has blessed us with the ability to participate with Him in the creative cultivation of the world. Yet unending busyness, constant noise and addiction to technology often distract us from recognizing God in small places and quiet moments. God gives us the Sabbath as a day to give thanks and to rest in His love, centered on the gift of the Eucharist.
ACTION: Find time each day, especially QUESTION: Does my use of technology on Sundays, for quiet moments to talk connect me to or distract from my with and listen to God. relationship with God? How do I celebrate Sunday as a day set apart by the Lord as a day of rest?
4. PRACTICE Small Acts of Love “Saint Therese of Lisieux invites us to practice the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness.” (230)
An “integrated ecology” reminds us of our interconnectedness and our “duty to care for creation through little daily actions”. Being intentional about practicing small daily habits such as “turning off unnecessary lights” or not wasting food can be an “act of love” and help us live in solidarity with those in most need.
ACTION: Practice a new small act of love as a REFLECTION: How do my daily actions way of living solidarity with those in most need and personal decisions impact the world and being a more responsible steward of around me? God’s gifts. For ideas, consider the list Pope Francis includes: Use less heating or air conditioning. Avoid using paper and plastic. Reduce water consumption. Reuse and recycle. Learn more at www.adw.org/creation Don’t waste food. Show care for other living beings. Use public transportation or Join the conversation @WashArchdiocese carpooling. Plant trees. Turn off lights & #CultivatingCreation facebook.com/adw.org reduce electricity use, etc.
Preparing for the Papal Climate Encyclical and Visit How Increasing Energy Efficiency in Parishes = Environmental Stewardship = Financial Stewardship
The Pope’s upcoming encyclical will focus attention on the need to protect our environment and those least able to adapt to human-induced climate changes through reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide. The vast majority of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are the result of energy production, transportation, and use. The most immediate action a parish can take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions is to save energy by improving the energy efficiency of its operations.
Every parish has abundant opportunities to save energy at no (or very little) upfront cost. Savings on energy bills free up funds for other key elements of each parish’s mission. Most energy efficiency upgrades that do require investment pay for themselves in lower energy bills on relatively short time frames. Good environmental stewardship is also good financial stewardship.
Tools to improve parish energy efficiency, training, and technical support are available AT NO COST through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Congregations program.
Catholic parishes throughout the United States can formally sign up as partners for the ENERGY STAR Congregations program. The program, headquartered here in Washington, D.C., would welcome having parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington as partners. There is no upfront cost to the program—all that is required is a commitment to look for energy savings opportunities in your parish facilities. Partners receive the ENERGY STAR Congregations newsletter and have access to the technical support the program provides.
The free tools that EPA provides include a “Portfolio Manager” to enable parishes to calculate and benchmark the energy performance of their buildings. EPA and local utilities have retained technical support contractors to help congregations analyze opportunities for improving their energy efficiency, based on this benchmark—this assistance is available at no cost.
Both Pepco (for Maryland counties) and the DC Sustainable Energy Utility Fund (for DC) offer significant rebates to help buy down the cost of energy efficient equipment (e.g., lighting, HVAC systems) for buildings. The ENERGY STAR Congregations program can help your parish identify and access these funds. This can “buy down” the upfront cost of more efficient equipment and shorten the pay-back periods even more.
For parishes that significantly improve their energy efficiency (moving into the top quarter of efficiency scores for comparable church or school buildings), ENERGY STAR offers a public certification and recognition program.
Additional details on the program are on the other side of this paper. If your parish would like to leverage this assistance as a partner in the ENERGY STAR Congregations program, as part of its response and catechesis surrounding the upcoming Papal encyclical and its preparations for hosting the Pope’s visit, please indicate your interest by contacting the EPA Program Manager, Jerry Lawson, ([email protected]) or Dan Misleh at the Catholic Climate Covenant at 202-756-5545 (or [email protected]).
Lighting
• Turn off lights (and all equipment) when not in use. Help your congregation save energy, save • Install “occupancy sensors” to automatically turn money and protect the environment: lighting off and on as people need them.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and/or 1. Commit to Energy Stewardship light emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs cost about 75% Become an ENERGY STAR partner and commit to better less to use; last about 10 times longer. LEDs last stewardship at www.energystar.gov/JoinBuildings about 20 times longer.
2. Assess Current Performance Office and Kitchen Equipment Benchmark your worship facility’s baseline energy use, costs, and emissions with EPA’s free, online Portfolio • When necessary to buy new equipment for office or Manager® tool. Learn more at kitchen, always look for ENERGY STAR qualified www.energystar.gov/Benchmark products.
3. Set Savings Goals using Portfolio Manager Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Work with key staff and decision makers to integrate • Keep exterior doors closed while running heating, energy stewardship goals into congregational priorities. ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC). • Clean or change HVAC filters every month during 4. Create an Action Plan peak cooling or heating season. Dirty filters waste Download the ENERGY STAR Action Workbook for energy, overwork the equipment, and cause poor Congregations at www.energystar.gov/Congregations indoor air quality. New filters are inexpensive. • Install a quality programmable thermostat to 5. Implement the Action Plan optimize HVAC system operation on a “24/7” basis for savings, comfort and convenience. Find free ENERGY STAR training webinars at • Use fans. Fans can help delay or reduce the need for www.energystar.gov/buildings/training and ENERGY STAR air-conditioning by making a higher temperature qualified products at www.energystar.gov/Products feel more comfortable. • Plug air leaks with weather-stripping and caulking to 6. Evaluate Progress control ventilation and stop outside air infiltration. Highlight your savings and progress made through Check around windows and doors. Leaks in HVAC Portfolio Manager’s standard or custom reports. ducts, attics, basements, and crawlspaces can be even more costly. 7: Recognize Achievements • “Tune-up” your HVAC system each season to Acknowledge everyone who helped, share your success protect performance and longevity. story with ENERGY STAR, and consider achieving facility Water certification. • Buy EPA WaterSense® certified water fixtures. • Fix leaks. Small leaks add up to many gallons and
dollars wasted—especially for hot water. • Buy an ENERGY STAR qualified water heater if a new one is needed. A “tankless” heater reduces “standby” energy storage costs. • Set water temperature at about 110 – 120 degrees to prevent dangerous scalds and save money. Preparing for the Papal Climate Encyclical and Visit Help for Parishes that Wish to Purchase Green Power
Beginning with the pontificate of St. John Paul II, the Vatican has pursued green power as a strategy to reduce its What is Green Power? environmental impact. Under Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican completed a major installation of solar power on the Clean Renewable Energy Paul VI Audience Hall. Catholic parishes and institutions can Green power is electricity generated emulate the teaching and example of these Popes and Pope from environmentally preferable Francis by considering green power purchases. In doing so, renewable resources, such as solar, they can avail themselves of free technical assistance from wind, geothermal, low-impact the Green Power Partnership. biomass, and low-impact hydro resources. The Green Power Partnership is a free, voluntary program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that assists An Environmental Choice organizations with procuring electricity generated from Conventional electricity use can be renewable resources and promoting their green power one of the most significant leadership. environmental impacts associated with your parish’s operations. Switching to green power is one of Benefits for Green Power Partners the easiest ways for a parish to reduce its carbon footprint. EPA’s Green Power Partnership is ready to assist your parish by offering the following assistance to organizations that join Supporting Domestic Energy Supply the Partnership: Using green power helps to accelerate the development of new, Expert Advice domestic renewable energy sources, EPA’s Green Power Partnership will assist you in identifying while playing an important role in the green power products that best meet your organization’s the security of America’s energy goals. EPA is committed to making your green power supply. purchase as easy as possible by: • Saving you time, effort, and cost by identifying green power products that meet your parish’s goals; and Why Use Green Power? • Providing relevant and timely answers to your questions. • Using green power is an easy and Tools and Resources effective way for your parish to EPA offers organizations a variety of tools and information reduce the environmental impact of located on the Partnership website its operations. (www.epa.gov/greenpower). • Long-term green power contracts EPA’s tools and resources can be invaluable by: can provide a hedge against • Explaining and taking the guesswork out of your green electricity price volatility and help power purchase; ensure energy price stability. • Assisting you in promoting the concept of green power internally and externally; and • Green power use can generate • Providing you with a means to estimate the environmental goodwill and respect from benefits of switching to green power. parishioners and the broader community.
Credibility and Recognition Participation in the Green Power Partnership signifies that your parish’s green power use meets nationally accepted standards in terms of size, content, and resource base. The Green Power Partnership actively promotes and recognizes Green Power Partners as environmental leaders.
How to Find Out More
It is easy for organizations to join EPA’s Rooftop solar array in Vatican City. The 2400 photovoltaic panels Green Power Partnership: provide energy for lighting, heating, and air conditioning. • A green power purchase involves little to no complicated logistics. • Minimal staff time is required to initiate or maintain a green power purchase. • To join, organizations procure green power at a level that meets or exceeds Partnership requirements (see below), sign a simple voluntary Partnership Agreement (i.e., there is no contract), and agree to update EPA on their green power use annually.
For more information on the Green Power Partnership, you can contact the EPA Program Manager, James Critchfield, at (202) 343-9442, or at [email protected].
More details on the Green Power Partnership can also be found at www.epa.gov/greenpower/join. Preparing for the Papal Climate Encyclical and Visit Help for Reducing Food Waste in Parishes
The amount of food wasted in the United States is staggering. The United States generates more than 36 million tons of food waste each year. Since 2010, food waste is the single largest component of municipal solid waste reaching landfills and incinerators.
Generating food waste has significant economic, social, and environmental consequences. In his weekly address on June 5, 2013, Pope Francis urged people of good will throughout the world to reduce food waste. He said: “This culture of waste has made us insensitive even to the waste and disposal of food, which is even more despicable when all over the world, unfortunately, many individuals and families are suffering from hunger and malnutrition…. Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of the poor and the hungry.”
Often, simple changes in food purchasing, storage, preparation, and service practices can yield significant reductions in food waste generation. Not only will this reduce waste, but it will make food dollars go further. And much of this food “waste” is not waste at all but actually safe, wholesome food that could potentially feed millions of Americans in need. Food donations redirect these valuable resources to “feed people – not landfills.”
Additionally, not only does this wasted valuable resource have huge economic and social impacts, it also has huge and immediate environmental impacts. When food is disposed in a landfill it quickly rots and becomes a significant source of methane. Reducing, recovering, and recycling wasted food diverts organic materials from landfills and incinerators, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and waste combustion. The use of recycled food scraps (compost) has many environmental benefits.
An additional benefit of food waste reduction, donation, and composting is improved sanitation, public safety and health for both your facility and congregation.
EPA recommends the following
THE FOOD RECOVERY HIERARCHY “food recovery hierarchy” as the preferred options to make the most Both EPA and the USDA recommend following the “food of excess food. recovery hierarchy” as the preferred options to make the most of excess food. The food waste recovery hierarchy comprises the following activities, with disposal as the last, and least preferred, option:
• Source Reduction – Reduce the amount of food waste being generated; • Feed People – Donate excess food to food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters; • Feed Animals – Provide food scraps to farmers; • Industrial Uses – Provide fats for rendering; oil for fuel; food discards for animal feed production; or anaerobic digestion combined with soil amendment production or composting of the residuals; • Composting – Recycle food scraps into a nutrient rich soil amendment. JOIN EPA’S FOOD RECOVERY CHALLENGE
Parishes can respond to Pope Francis’s teaching, reduce their environmental footprint, and save money by joining EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge.
It just takes 5 easy steps:
1. Sign Up Go to EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management web site (https://connect.re- trac.com/register/epafrc) to register to participate in the Challenge. Once your account has been activated, choose the "Food Recovery Challenge" and sign the participation agreement. You can find an example of the participation agreement form at http://www.epa.gov/smm/pdf/prticipatn_agrmnt_2.pdf.
2. Set a Baseline Assess It! Conduct an inventory of your food waste. Baseline data provides a starting point for setting goals and tracking progress. We recommend that your baseline data be representative of 12 prior months of food data. If you need assistance in developing your baseline, please contact the WasteWise Help Line at 800.EPA.WISE (800.372.9473) or send an email to the program at [email protected]. Submit It: Baseline data must be entered and submitted through the Sustainable Materials Management web site within 90 days of registering for the Challenge. You can choose from three food diversion categories: food waste prevention (e.g. source reduction), donation, and/or recycling (e.g. composting and anaerobic digestion). Don't forget to click the "Submit" button in the database.
3. Set a Goal Choose Your Actions! Choose the activities your organization plans to undertake. Examples are modifying food purchasing, changing food production and handling practices, reducing excessive portion size, donating to those in need, and recycling. Tools such as the Food Waste Logbook (http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/pubs/food-waste-log.pdf) and other food waste assessment tools (http://epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/foodwaste/tools/index.htm) can help here as well. Submit It: Goals must be entered and submitted through the Sustainable Materials Management web site within 90 days of registering for the Challenge. Identify a quantitative goal, expressed in tons for the current calendar year. Don't forget to click the "Submit" button in the database.
4. Take Action Undertake the identified activities to reduce your food waste.
5. Track It Track your progress, report your food diversion results, and establish new goals annually using the Sustainable Materials Management web site by March 31 each year. Don't forget to click the "submit" button in the database.
For further details contact Tiffany Kollar at [email protected] or (703) 308-8675. To join the Challenge, go to: http://www.epa.gov/smm/foodrecovery/join_info.htm
Course IV - Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church
IV.A. The Church is sign and instrument of communion with God and unity of the human race (CCC, no. 760). IV.B.1. Jesus—not the members—endowed Church with authority, power, and responsibility (CCC, nos. 763- 766). IV.B.4. Church scrutinizes “signs of the times”—interprets them in light of Gospel. IV.C.1. Definition and description of evangelization. IV.C.2. Missionary efforts. IV.C.3. Call to a new evangelization V.D.1. As disciples of Christ we are “salt and light for the world.” V.D.1.a. Living as Christ calls and teaches us as known in and through the Church. V.D.1.b. Active response to call to holiness at home, workplace, public square.
Course V - Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ Course VI - Life in Jesus Christ
Laudato Si’ – On Care for Our Common Home
Digital Media Outreach Social Media
“This Encyclical is addressed to all: let us pray so that all may receive its message and grow in the responsibility towards the common home that God has entrusted to all.” – Pope Francis, June 14, 2015
Join us in reflecting on the gift of creation that God has given us! Find Pope Francis’ encyclical, #LaudatoSi, study resources, videos, and more at adw.org/creation.
Follow the link below to learn more about Pope Francis’ Encyclical #LaudatoSi and the Church’s teaching on ecology and the environment. adw.org/creation.
Join us in reflecting on Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, #LaudatoSi. Text ‘CREATION’ to 84576 to receive daily text updates and ways you can take small steps in cultivating creation. adw.org/creation.
Learn more about #LaudatoSi and the Church's teaching on ecology and the environment by visiting adw.org/creation
Text 'CREATION' to 84576 to receive daily words from @Pontifex's encyclical #LaudatoSi.
Looking to dive deeper into #LaudatoSi? Find study resources, videos and more by visiting adw.org/creation
1 Digital Media Outreach Archdiocese of Washington ! June 2015