Diocese_Of_Sandhurst_YearInReview_2021

41 SOCIAL JUSTICE Catholic Earthcare Parishes “ Our Diocese is committed to signing up to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and we are encouraging all our parishes to become Earthcare parishes to help the Diocese to work towards the 7 goals.” Bishop Shane Mackinlay Catholic Earthcare Australia has made it easy for parishes to take up the Bishops’ invitation by developing a process to assist them on the journey towards ecological sustainability in the Australian context. Earthcare Parishes are provided with audit and action planning tools and seminars and networking opportunities. St John’s Parish, Numurkah and St Mary’s Parish, Echuca were some of the first parishes in Australia to sign up to Earthcare Parishes. The Chancery has registered as an Earthcare Organsiation and is working towards becoming a more ecologically sustainable workplace and landlord. Early in 2021, Project Manager, Alastair Greenall coordinated a major project to install solar energy systems to many of the buildings owned by the Diocese, including buildings used by the Chancery, Catholic Education Sandhurst, DOXA School, CatholicCare Victoria’s Shepparton Office, the Marist Brothers’ Residence and Genazzano. Most of these works were completed by the end of 2021. It is acknowledged that there will need to be ongoing systemic and cultural changes in the Chancery to ensure that, as an organisation, we are working in ways that align more closely to our Catholic values especially integral ecology. Parishioners at St John’s, Numurkah enjoy a cup of fair-trade tea in re-usable mugs at their weekly after-Mass cuppa. Fr Pompeyo Tan and parishioners at St Mary’s, Echuca look over Earthcare Parish Audit Documents.