Catholic Green Initiative of Santa Clara County Announcement

January 15, 2009

My Dear Friends,

Everywhere we turn these days, we are reminded of the need and desire to be "green." Cities, counties, states and nations are calling us to better care for our planet. Almost 15 years ago, the United States Catholic Bishops issued a statement entitled Renewing the Earth: A Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, calling all people of faith "to examine how we use and share the goods of the earth, what we pass on to future generations, and how we live in harmony with God's creation."

Catholics around the world have already initiated many innovative ecological projects that have highlighted the need for all of us to live more sustainably and to leave a lighter "ecological footprint." In response to this call to ecological stewardship, I have formed The Catholic Green Initiative of Santa Clara County under the direction of Father Brendan McGuire, Vicar General, Special Projects.  

This team includes the Presentation Retreat and Conference Center, Santa Clara University, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, and the Diocese of San Jose. We will work collaboratively to bring all Catholics of our local Church together with a single "green" vision. This team will identify and encourage "green initiatives" here in our own Valley of Saint Clare and they will ask all Catholics of Santa Clara County to make a difference in an organized and sustainable way.  

This initiative will start with a Town Hall Meeting on February 7, 2009 with our guest speaker -  Mr. Dan Misleh, Executive Director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change. The gathering will focus on the theology of stewardship, how stewardship is central to our Christian heritage, and why it must be a Catholic concern. It will include breakout sessions discussing how we can act in environmentally-conscious ways. All attendees will be asked to commit to action determined by the collective voice of this group. This event is by invitation-only and will be limited to a maximum of 100 attendees. Formal invitations will be coming shortly via another email.

This Town Hall meeting is only the beginning of this part of our journey together, and more will follow. Our Catholic Social teaching impresses upon us that nature is not something to exploit but is God's creation to preserve. We are called to celebrate the splendor of God's handiwork, to be good stewards of creation, and to safeguard the integrity of all that God has made. Prayerfully consider how you can join us in this important initiative.

With every best wish and kind regard, I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Patrick J. McGrath
Bishop of San Jose