Interested in Environmental Stewardship Ministry?

The diocesan Environmental Stewardship Ministry is seeking individuals who will be liaisons between the ministry and their parishes. They should have an interest in the protection of the environment and the human impact of pollution.

The Ministry grew out of the encyclical “Laudato Sí” (“On Care for Our Common Home”), issued by Pope Francis in 2015.

Information from the Ministry says members have been building a program of education and action to help parishes respond to the encyclical. In May, they reviewed plans with Bishop McManus and the presbyteral council. 

Ministry member Peter Dunbeck, of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough, said the bishop and the presbyterial council approved his suggestion that each parish have a liaison to make sure the parish community knows about the Ministry’s programs and will encourage participation. This individual could be a member of the clergy, staff or pastoral council or another interested parishioner. With a liaison in each parish, there would be two-way communication between the Ministry and parish.

The role of the parish liaison will include:

Receiving Flocknote messages concerning programs sponsored or promoted by the Ministry, and sharing them by email, Facebook or Flocknote, through parish bulletin announcements or other appropriate means.

Providing the diocesan team with feedback about efforts to promote Catholic social teaching about care for creation and finding better ways to put “Laudato Sí” into action in the parish.

Attending two or three meetings a year to discuss these issues with other parish liaisons and the diocesan volunteer team.

Anyone interested in becoming a parish liaison or discussing the position may contact Mr. Dunbeck at pete@dunbeck.net or 781-856-8962.