New Environmental Education and Technologies for Catholic Diocese
Diocese of Joliet, IL

Article by Mark Indreika taken from Catholic Explorer 7/23/2008

As the Catholic Church continues to raise its voice in defense of the environment, people across the Diocese of Joliet are heeding the call, participating in educational programs and implementing new, environmentally friendly technologies.

Education
JustFaith was a series of workshops in the Diocese of Joliet, a 30-week program on Catholic social teaching.  Maribeth Meaux, coordinator of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Diocese, said, "We feel that all of creation is in some ways is a view into the mind of the creator, and if we abuse the creation, we are not showing respect for the creator."   She added that Catholic social teaching emphasizes the importance of caring for creation and protecting human dignity: "Both the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Pope Benedict have made some very strong statements regarding our responsibilities as good stewards of creation.”

On April 12, 2008, over 50 people attended one of the events sponsored by the Diocese of Joliet Committee on the Environment, and held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville.  “Appalachian Treasures” was a workshop that looked at the damaging effects of mountain-top removal coal mining in the Appalachian region.  Two members of a grass-roots advocacy group from the region presented the work.

Meaux, a member of the committee and workshop coordinator, provided the opportunity for those in attendance to become aware of how the coal-mining technique is wreaking havoc on the environment and hurting people through stream and river contamination by many cancer causing chemicals from the mines.

It is hoped that the Clean Water Protection Act will be approved by Congress and make it illegal for coal companies to dump their waste into the surrounding valleys, with an emphasis on these companies taking responsibly for their waste products.

Technology
St. Francis High School in Wheaton is another educational institution in the Joliet Diocese working to make its campus more environmentally friendly.  On April 9, 2008, it unveiled its new energy-efficient, lighting system during a girls' soccer match. The lights cover the football field and tennis courts behind the school.  Athletic Director Paul Linden said St. Francis is the only high school in DuPage County with a "green" lighting system.

According to Doug Lombardi, the project's electrical contractor, the new system uses 20 percent less wattage than standard lights.  Designed by Musco Green Structure Technology in Iowa, it utilizes mirrors to enhance the power of fewer lamps.  Lombardi, whose son attends the school, explained that the system costs more initially, but it pays for itself over time through energy savings and it requires less maintenance.