Faith-Based Environmental Efforts Recognized

Grid, Philadelphia's sustainability magazine, has just published a good article that reports on Eco-Religious efforts in the Philadelphia area. There is a feature on the last page about Mary Elizabeth Clark, SSJ, Director of the SSJ Earth Center's efforts as well as the rest of the Philadelphia Religious Institutions efforts.


To View the article go to http://www.gridphilly.com/digital-edition/march-2012-035.html, the article is on page 47.

EPA Hearing Commentary

The Following is a commentary in which Mar Elizabeth Clark, SSJ, presented at an EPA Hearing on January 19, 2012.


Docket # EPS-HQ-OAR-2010-0799

My name is Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark. I am a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia, PA and an ambassador of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Climate Change Coalition. I minister at Chestnut Hill College as assistant to the president for sustainability and as director of the Earth Center. Working with many other people of faith, I am here to urge you to keep an ethical, moral perspective as a lens for your deliberations.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you.

As people of religious faith, we believe that the atmosphere that supports life on earth is a God-given gift, one we must respect and protect. It unites us as one human family. If we harm the atmosphere, we dishonor our Creator and the gift of creation. The values of our faith call us to humility, sacrifice, and a respect for life and the natural gifts God has provided.

As the U.S. Bishops said in 2001:

"At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God's creation and the one human family. It is about protecting both the human environment and the natural environment" (Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue Prudence and the Common Good, A Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001).

Since I am representing those who see this issue from a faith perspective, I want to be clear that I trust the Sierra Club and its scientific expertise. From their research I believe this regulation to be the single biggest step in our country to tackle global warming, and therefore, I urge you to accept the President’s proposal without loopholes.

For more than 14 billion years, our Planet Earth has sustained itself and life as we know it. In my own lifetime, I have experienced an appalling growth in our dependency on oil—and the consequences of so much use of it. From the millions of tons of plastics filling landfills to the polluting burning of fossil fuels beyond our imagining, we have built a relationship with oil similar to an addict’s with his abused substance. As a result, our precious Earth cannot continue to sustain life as we know it.

How irresponsible of us humans if we allow this to happen! Earth is a sacred trust given to us by the Creator. As people of faith, we see this as a moral tragedy. There are ways we can diminish the effects of our polluting the air by reducing gas emissions now. What can we say to the next generations if, knowing what we know, we refuse to do it?

As we take personal and communal actions in our places of worship to mitigate the effects of global climate change, it is not possible to make a significant difference without your taking the necessary systemic action in our federal government. We call on you as our federal protection to approve the proposal of President Obama.

The amount suggested by the President is not enough. It is a beginning—a necessary beginning. Please think carefully about the consequences of your decisions. By the year 2030, the proposed standards would cut annual oil consumption by nearly 23 billion gallons, roughly equivalent to the U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq in 2010. Although we need to do more, how can we not do the minimum?

Storm Water Garden Installed at Earth Center

Assisted by a grant from Change for Global Change of $5,000, freshmen of Chestnut Hill College worked with Dr. Bob Meyer of the Environmental Science department of CHC and put in a storm water garden on both sides of the SSJ Earth Center. The project involved carrying rocks, bricks and gravel from the Wissahickon Creek to the gar- den to create an absorbent area to catch some of the rainwater that floods the area. The students worked as part of their volunteer service project in the spirit of Wangari Maathai who passed away in 2011. Her book, Unbowed, is required reading for the college in 2011. 


Here are some images of the students working on the Garden!

Tumbling Composter Ready to Go

The SSJ Earth Center and Chestnut Hill College are collaborating on a project to compost. A tumbler composter is now ready to receive compost from the CHC cafeteria. Becky Bond and Liz have suggested a raised bed garden behind the Center for herbs. The soil for the beds will be from the compost tumbled in the composter. In addi- tion, the rainbarrell obtained from the Philadelphia Water Department will be an additional source of storm water collection at the Center. 


Here are a few images:

 
 

Catholic Climate Ambassadors in USA

In December, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change trained their first “Catholic Climate Ambassadors”. They are leaders from around the country who will reach out, educate and empower people in their local dioceses, parishes, schools, and religious communities to be engaged in this critical issue. They will provide a uniquely Catholic perspective and pay particular attention to the im- pacts of climate change on people in poverty in the U.S. and around the world.


The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change was launched in 2006 to help the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic community ad- dress issues related to climate change. The Coalition is comprised of over ten national Catholic organisations in the United States, including the bishops’ con- ference, Caritas members Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA, and men and women religious leadership conferences.


In order to expand the reach of the Coalition and its members, an ambitious pro- gramme of training 25 Catholic leaders from around the country to engage Catholics at the local, state and regional levels was launched in the summer. Over fifty applicants applied. Twelve were trained in December. A second training is scheduled in March 2011.


The ambassadors will give talks on climate change in their local Catholic commu- nities and help to grow a network of people willing to be engaged in advocacy, education and prayer. In addition the ambassadors will promote the Catholic Cli- mate Covenant and St. Francis Pledge as a key tool enabling Catholics to live out their call to be stewards of God’s creation.

The weekend training enabled the trainees to gain a familiarity with Catholic teaching on the environment and climate justice. Science and theology were brought together while weaving in illustrative stories of communities impacted by the changes in cli- mate from around the world. At the end of the two days, the trainees were asked to develop an outline for their own presentation on climate change which the group eval- uated and provided suggestions.
The ambassadors come from a variety of backgrounds, including a university profes- sor, women from religious communities, a retired chemist, a union organiser, a cardi- ologist, a non-profit leader, a hospital chaplain, and an adult and youth religious educator. They are from all over the United States. Each is seen as a leader in their local community and have ready access for speaking venues. The Coalition will pro- vide marketing, educational, and resource support as they go forward. Webinars are planned to further educate the ambassadors in such areas as Catholic social and moral teaching and advocacy.


In the absence of comprehensive climate change legislation this year and to provide Catholics with a voice from their own community on climate change, the Ambassador programme is an opportunity to advance understanding and awareness.


For more information please visit the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change website at
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/about-us/catholic-climate-ambassadors/ 

Hearing on Marcellus Shale

This is a testimonial account from Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark on September 28, 2010 about the drilling for gas in Marcellus Shale.

My name is Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark, a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia. I am director of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Earth Center in Chestnut Hill. I am also Special Assistant to the President for Sustainability of Chestnut Hill College and a Board Member of Genesis Farm in Blairstown, NJ.


For the past eleven years, our Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph have had a com- mitment to the issue of Sustainability of our Planet Earth with special attention to the issue of water.


As a result, we have educated and advocated about the respectful treatment of water. The issue of drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale region of PA has serious moral consequences and thus for this reason is a concern of ours.


I urge you as our immediate representatives in City Council to insist that the ethical standards of purification of our drinking water be enforced on any possible contami- nants from the drilling. There ought to be a moratorium on drilling until it has been shown to be absolutely safe for the Delaware River the source of our drinking water. This is only one of the issues that threaten our Planet caused by the potential drilling. Another issue such as deforestation is also a major concern.


Legislation prior to the actual drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale region of PA ought to include investigation into the health-related effects of any toxic chemicals or radio active ingredients resulting from the drilling and then entering the Delaware River.


In addition, when researching the components of hydraulic fracturing fluids that may seep into the ground water investigations by the DEP ought not to be funded by any money coming from vested interests in the profit of the drilling. The ethical implica- tions of political gain or profit by individuals must be examined by those creating legis- lation to protect the health of PA watersheds. Every means available for honest investigation ought to be employed by the State legislature. As members of our City Council, you are in a prime position to call for this ethical behavior. 

Dr. Vandana Shiva Visits

Dr. Vandana Shiva from India visited Philadelphia on July 14 to speak at a program hosted by the Academy of Natural Sciences. Dr. Shiva spoke of the significant changes in agriculture brought on by genetically modified seeds. She encouraged Gardens of Hope and Seed Saving Sanctuaries. Her center in India, called Nav- danya, is a program of the Research Foundation for sci- ence, technology and ecology, a participatory research initiative she founded. In 1984 the violence of the Punjab and the Bhopal tragedy demanded a paradigm shift in the practice of agriculture. Navdanya was born of the search for non-violent farming, which protects biodiver- sity, Earth, and small farmers. Navdanya fights against patents on seeds and plants and stands for seed sover- eignty, people's right to food and water security. 

Sister Clark Appointed as President Assistant at Chestnut Hill College

Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark, Director of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Earth Center, has been appointed to the position of Special Assistant to the President for Sustainability of Chestnut Hill College. The appointment was announced by Sister Carol Jean Vale, President of Chestnut Hill College on March 10, 2010, at the Chestnut Hill College In- service Day for Deepening of the Core Values of the College, at which the value high- lighted was “Concern for Earth.” 

Highlights from the Cecilian Years

2003-2007

"Progress...the lifestyle of the developed world... is not only killing us, it's killing every living species on this planet and harming the planet itself in ways that have never happened before in human history" -Thomas Berry

In the time period of 2003 to 2004, the Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts, and Spirit accomplished much:

• The Committee hosted a lecture series called At Home in the Universe with Dom Roberti, Ph.D., Susan Curry, and Al Lamberti, Ph.D.
• The Committee raised $17,300 in grants.
• Ginny Christiansen organized a Resource Library.
• The Sustainability Alliance began housing their resource library in the center.
• Music classes were offered for children, teens, and adults.
• Through MALT art an composting classes were offered.
• A survey and interviews were performed with community organizations.

Between 2004-2005, Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark was hired as the full time director.

• Over one-hundred interviews were done with leaders in Mt. Airy.
• Renovations on the Cecilian Center continued.
• A logo, brochure, and letterhead was created by the Mt. St. Joseph Academy Graphic Arts Class.
• Dom Roberti donated brochure production services.

The First Earth Day Celebration:

• Kim and Reggie Harris performed
• Earth pictures raised in entry
• Procession and Dancers
• Sr. Pat Kelly and Sr. Dot Urban offered dedication prayer and blessing
• Tom Dougherty from Fairmount Park spoke
• PECO lights announced the event

In 2005 to 2006 many important steps were taken with the Cecilian Center:

• A treaty was signed with the Lenape Nation.
• The Mt. Airy Learning Tree (MALT)'s financial arrangement was altered.
• The introduction of the Act 48 course occurred.
• A pilot summer program ran.
• Physical plant improves continued with the donation of materials.
• Began Community Supported Agriculture (C.S.A) relationship with three community summer suppers each year. And 12-15 shareholders picked up shares at CCEAS. The C.S.A. Included the follow Farms:
• Vollmecke Farm (2005)
• Somerton Tanks Farm (2006)
• Amish Farmer (2007)
• Began "Step Away for A Day" pilot program with grant from the SSJ Fund For Those Who are Materially Poor.

From 2006 to 2007 the Cecilian Center Experienced the following:

• A Grant came from Conrad Hilton to expand the "Step Away for A Day" program.
• An Earth Day collaboration occurred with Norwood-Fontbonne, Wissahickon and Khephera Charter schools.
• Mary's Vineyard donated $16,000 to the Center.
• Started a fabric arts studio to work with recycled materials.
• And an expansion of the support staff occurred.

In 2007-2008 many committees formed including the Advisory Committee and Mission Advancement Committee. Also several other things occurred:

• An evaluation and renegotiation with the MALT arrangement happened.
• The first large fundraising planning effort for Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ occured.
• An organic garden was started.
• Delegations began with the growing number of projects to staff and volunteers.

New Location is Well Underway

An exciting evolutionary aspect of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Earth Center is the opportunity to demonstrate one of the most sustainable forms of energy production. The geothermal well drilled for the new site will provide the heating and cooling systems, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the building tremendously. In addition, rainwater collected on the roof will go down pipes in the columns and be collected in a cistern underground. This water will then be used to care for the landscape gardens. The original wooden floor has been restored to its natural pine, and the floor of the loft made with oak from ethically harvested trees. The paint used contains no toxic materials.

The new site is well situated on the grounds of Chestnut Hill College. Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark will work with the administration, faculty, staff and students of the College to integrate practices of and courses in sustainability and its connection to spirituality. The SSJ Earth Center provides a place to collect "best practices" in sustainability and to network in the Northwest Philadelphia Community with groups interested in delving more deeply into issues of sustainability and spirituality in the Wissahickon watershed bioregion. 

House of Loreto Reredos Preserved

The most precious pieces of the House of Loreto Chapel are the "reredos" and the Ebony Madonna which are preserved on the wall within the Earth Center. The wooden structure came directly from the original House of Loreto in Italy when it was replaced with a marble one.


The Ebony Madonna that was in the chapel also now resides within the reredos. The Church of St. Athanasius borrowed the statue and returned it with an exquisite bro- cade garb. This statue was placed in the original House of Loreto in Italy for a time prior to its transfer in 1897. 

Geothermal Well in Place and Working

One of the major environmentally sensitive features of the renovation is the installa- tion of a geothermal well for heating and cooling of the building. Already the geother- mal heating is at work.

A simple explanation of the principle behind the geothermal well is the use of the heat within the earth to heat the interior in winter and to cool it during the summer. This al- ternative form of energy use is a demonstration of what can be done to reduce the carbon footprint of burning oil or gas. 

Rainwater Captured and Reused

Rainwater that falls on the roof of the House of Loreto will flow through the columns to an un- derground cistern that will store the water for use on the grounds. A hose will be attached to the cistern for watering the gardens. This will assist in the mission of capturing rainwater to avoid erosion of soil and runoff into the Wissahickon.

The Philadelphia Water Department and the Wissahickon Watershed Alliance have worked hard to reduce the amount of water lost by poor drainage and impermeable paving. 

Transformation of Cecilian Center

After five years of ministering from the three-story building of 100 Carpenter Lane, Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit moved to a new location in Chestnut Hill. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia decided to renovate a building on the grounds of their Motherhouse and Chestnut Hill College for an SSJ Earth Center. Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark will continue to direct the program.

The Khepera Charter School, now on the grounds of Cecilian, has  expanded into the building at 100 Carpenter Lane. This use of the building fulfills the mission of sustainability and continues the history of education.

One of the hopes for the future direction of the Center is the collaboration with Chestnut Hill College. Sister Mary Elizabeth sees this transformation as an evolution of the mission of the Center. "We have learned that Mount Airy is well served by other institutions in the area of workshops and classes. What is called for is a deepening of Earth Sustainability as a motivating force for educators, "green job" technicians, and people of faith, so that the critical work of making the change to a healthy Earth can be realized as soon as possible.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph are renovating the House of Loreto, a chapel building, with sustainable systems that can be used as a demonstration tool for the program.