GREENING OUR PARISH, ENRICHING OUR LIVES

The Church of St. Francis Xavier Laudato Si Action Platform 

April 22, 2023 Proposal

POPE FRANCIS’ CALL

“I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes every one, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all…..We require a new and universal solidarity….As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: ‘Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation’”. Laudato Si’, 14.

OUR RESPONSE

The Church of Saint Francis Xavier, first in many historic ways, is taking on the Pope’s call to develop a bold and active response to the ecological crisis that threatens every aspect of God’s gift of Creation. 

Our parish and Xavier Mission enrolled in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) last year, and consulted with leaders of our ministries. A committee, made up of several parishioners, staff and pastoral council members, is proposing a three-year action plan for our community to adopt. Below are highlights of the plan.

Your approval and your participation, large and small, will be critical to the success of the St. Francis Xavier Laudato Si’ Action Plan. This document will serve as our 2023-2026 plan for the church and mission.  

We commit ourselves, individually and communally to:

  • Growing in love of God’s gift of Creation as an apostolate of the Society of Jesus;
  • Greening our parish space and Xavier Mission; and
  • Changing our personal lifestyles to adopt green practices that reflect our care for our common home (2023-2026)

Our most significant goal is to have parish and Mission operations running on 100% pollution free electricity by 2026, with a goal to have net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Net zero emissions refers to achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere. Getting to net zero means we can still produce some emissions, as long as they are offset by processes that reduce greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.  

 WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT’S NEXT

The carbon footprint of the church, Hurtado Hall and parish offices is more than 74,229 kg of CO2 (carbon dioxide) per year. The number stems from the amount of electricity from non-renewable sources used for heating (NYC steam) and for lighting and cooling (fossil fuel source from ConEdison).

Our CO2 footprint is the equivalent to burning 172 barrels of oil or 83,148 pounds of coal, or 8,353 gallons of gasoline, each year. This is far greater than the average for other LSAP parishes, likely due to the size of our church.  

The evaluation response to the questionnaire we submitted to the Vatican SFX revealed we do meet three key criteria set by LSAP, including “identifying how the planetary crisis is affecting local social issues,” “celebrating the Season of Creation (Sept 1-Oct 6)” and having “members who have received training on environmental science and Catholic social teaching.”

 

THE GOAL: Net Zero Emissions

Our most significant goal is to have parish and Mission operations running on 100% pollution free electricity by 2026, with a goal to have net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Net zero emissions refers to achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere. Getting to net zero means we can still produce some emissions, as long as they are offset by processes that reduce greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.

PROPOSED ACTIONS

The Platform is asking us to focus our plan on 7 keys areas:

Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles

  • Restore parish composting pickup of food waste by 2024. Promote less food waste.
  • Promote greater recycling, reducing use of plastics by 2023.
  • Educate parishioners about pollution prevention and conservation at home and at work.

 

Ecological Education

SFX Environment Ministry will lead education efforts to include:

  • weekly environmental tips “Care for Creation Corner” in our bulletin
  • speaker series (3x/year)
  • summer environment film series
  • celebrations of Season of Creation, Earth Day, Laudato Si’ Week (anniversary of the encyclical)
  • participation in clean-ups in parks or shorelines

Ecological Spirituality  

  • Pray Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ prayer during Masses at relevant times of year
  • Eco-spirituality retreat organized by Young Adults ministry by 2025
  • Laudato Si’ Study series, led by environment ministry during Season of Creation
  • Songs for the Earth, a choral concert, produced by music ministry in June 5, 2023
  • Promote stewardship through an annual second collection to support compassion for climate refugees or indigenous peoples suffering due to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

 

Response to the Cry of the Earth

  • Conduct energy audit of church, mission and school by 2024
  • Working with Xavier High School, switch electricity to renewable energy by 2024
  • Investigate on-site or community solar power with government incentives by 2025
  •  Implement energy efficiency measures at church and at home by 2024
  • Support tree planting project by 2024

 

Response to Cry of the Poor

  • Parish and Xavier Mission by 2025 join forces for advocacy campaign aimed at:
  • food and housing insecurity
  • housing development in NYC
  • establishing housing stock for unhoused, immigrants
  • Conduct feasibility study of creating a cafe business run by Xavier Mission clients by 2025
  • Recruit pro bono attorneys, social workers to aid guests of the outreach program of the Mission by 2023
  • Solicit financial gifts for climate action projects in developing countries by 2025

Ecological Economics

  • Research ethical banking practices and review existing banking relationship by end of 2026
  • Invite expert speaker on divestment of fossil fuels from personal investment portfolios by 2024, organized by environment ministry
  • Make the fossil-free investments pledge this year

 

Community Resilience and Empowerment

  • Organize a public Environment Fair at SFX, supported by multiple ministries
  • Promote and practice “buying local” and purchasing from “B Corporations” (formed for public good) by 2025
  • Advocate for local NYC and federal climate policies, organized by Environment Ministry
  • Get parishioners and other parishes involved with Metro NY Catholic Climate Movement
  • Provide training for parishioner advocacy on climate, by 2024

COSTS FOR THE CHURCH

The majority of the proposed tactics have little to no cost, with efforts led by volunteer parishioners. The parish environment ministry will lead all education-related strategies with support from other ministries.

The most significant costs will be related to implementing energy efficiency measures and potential costs for switching to renewable energy. These investments will likely have a swift return on investment by lowering the electricity costs. Thanks to new climate and infrastructure laws passed by Congress, we anticipate significant grant funding may help us reach our goals in the next few years. The Pastor will approve all cost estimates before moving forward with any action.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Laudato Si’ Action Platform invites us to respond to Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home.

Exploring the long standing teachings of our faith in the light of today’s ecological crisis, Laudato Si’ teaches us that “everything is connected.” (LS 91) As our relationship with our divine Creator has been neglected, human relationships have faltered, and our world has grown hotter, less stable, and more lifeless. As a result, we all suffer, and the poorest and most vulnerable suffer above all. We face a “complex crisis that is both social and environmental.” (LS 139)

There is hope. Pope Francis calls us to develop a “loving awareness” of this home we share and to act on the values we hold dear. (LS 220)

A committee of about 10 polled the pastoral council and the various ministries. Hundreds of ideas were collected, and then winnowed for feasibility. Progress on the SFX LSAP was summarized at the 2023 ministries retreat. We invite you to review and comment or ask questions. After addressing any issues that have been raised, we will seek the ratification of the plan by the Pastor and Pastoral Council on May 9 and officially launch our 3-year action plan on May 28 during Laudao Si’ Week, the anniversary of the encyclical. It is a fitting date for us to begin our parish journey.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME?

 JOIN US
 Email volunteer commitment, comments or questions to SfxLsap@gmail.com by May 1, 2023.

Steering Committee 

Kevin Tuerff, Parishioner, LSAP Committee Leader

Patrick Egan, SFX Pastoral Council Chair

Nicholas Grimaldi, Parishioner

Dee Kittany, Parishioner. Xavier High School staff

Nancy Lorence, Parishioner, SFX Environment Ministry Leader

Andrea Foley-Murphy, SFX Pastoral Council

Janet Paist, Parishioner

Gloria Peropat, Parishioner

Liz Vigil, Parishioner, SFX Environment Ministry Leader

Pastor

Fr. Ken Boller, Pastor, Church of St. Francis Xavier  

Staff

Roxanne De La Torre, Xavier Mission Outreach Director