Full Stories - May 2008
Lay Missioning Ceremony at Scarboro Missions (April 26, 2008)
The five new candidates: (from left) Sr. Ann MacDonald (Srs. of St. Joseph of London), Leslie Paranuik, Sr. Anie Montejo (Our Lady's Missionaries) and David and Patty MacDonald.
The Lay Missioning Ceremony was held for the five new candidates at Scarboro Mission.
View all pictures in the Photo Gallery
"Heart meeting Heart" – a retreat for women (June 13 - 15)
Come celebrate a meeting of hearts - hear the beating of the Sacred Heart, feel the rhythm of your own heart beat and more. View the flier - please post it at your church or school bulletin. Print the two-page brochure for registration (before June 3rd).
"Seeing with Heart" – Day of reflection (June 21) for Catholic Parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons
Missionary Societies meeting with Pope on Nov. 16 – see story & pictures
From November 15 - 17, Frs. Jack Lynch sfm and Michael Traher sfm, the superior general and vicar general of Scarboro Missions, attended a three day meeting in Rome of the superiors of the pontifical missionary societies of apostolic life that fall under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the Vatican.
The meetings were called and presided over by Ivan Cardinal Dias the Prefect of the Congregation, Archbishop Robert Sarah, Secretary of CEP and Fr. Joseph Koonamparampil, a canon lawyer who is the liaison for all of the missionary societies of Apostolic life (MISAL's).
This was the first time in recent history that a meeting has been called that allowed the officials of the Congregation and members of leadership of the MISAL's to meet, get to know each other and initiate an exchange. The theme for the gathering is summed up in the title of address that Archbishop Sarah gave to the participants: Mutual Relationship: CEP - MISAL's: Partners in Mission; expectations, concerns, observations.
On Friday morning, the entire group had an audience with Benedict XVI. In his address the Pope expressed his gratitude for the generous contribution of all the societies toward the missionary outreach of the church. He acknowledged that one of the promising indications of a renewal in the church's missionary consciousness has been the growing desire of many lay men and women to cooperate generously in the 'missio ad gentes'.
The next meeting of the leaders of the mission institutes will be in Abuja, Nigeria.
See pictures of meeting with the Pope
LAY MISSION OFFICE NEWS
"We can put Chicken in the Rice again"
By Mary Olenick
Co-coordinator
Lay Mission Office
Beverly Trach has been a Scarboro lay missioner since 2003. Her mission is in Fortaleza, Brazil working primarily with homeless youth and high-risk children. She has an amazing ministry through teaching children how to make "friendship bracelets". I had an opportunity to see Beverly in action when she met us in Guyana during my recent support visit there. We made a day trip to Mahaica Orphanage where one of our other missioners volunteers and Beverly had the kids immersed in bracelet making in no time.
By Urban Lukan K. of C.
"We can put chicken in the rice again"
We can put chicken in the rice again," was the elated comment of Beverly Trach, a Scarboro lay missionary in Fortaleza, a city of 3.5 million in North Eastern Brazil.
The comment was evoked when brother Nestor (Beverly's father) informed her by telephone on February 16th of the generous response of the Humboldt community at a Council breakfast to support her work.
The rice and chicken program, referred to, came about by accident when Beverly and her associates, Our Lady's Missioners, whose mother house is in Toronto, began offering crackers and juice to the street kids. They came to realize that many of these children had no other regular daily food so the program was expanded to a meal of rice with chicken. This of course increased the people, also in dire straits, to such numbers that it got to the point that the chicken had to be cut out because the cost was becoming too much for the group's finances to handle.
Beverly is a lay missioner with Scarboro Missions, a Society of priests and laity centered in Scarborough, Ontario, dedicated to live humbly and serve among people of all faiths, cultures and traditions.
Beverly is involved in a variety of different work. She volunteers at a Hospital for AIDS patients as well as a Cancer Hospice for adults but her primary work is with children. She donates her time working in the children's library as well as with homeless youth and high-risk children whose parents are struggling to provide for the family. A lot of her work with these kids involves singing, coloring and playing games as well as craft activities. On Saturdays they provide a meal for 35 - 50 kids.
The Breakfast for Beverly and her work sponsored by the Knights of Columbus turned into a Trach family event when Beverly's two brothers, their wives, and children came to assist in the serving and the cleanup.
Beverly's parents are very grateful to the family, friends and the community who have responded very generously with their time as well as financial support to assist Beverly in her mission to feed the street kids.
It must be gratifying to the Breakfast workers and their generous supporters in the community to see that someone who has the least reason to expect it, will have, "chicken in the rice," at least for a little while longer.
Beverly teaching crafts
Beverly teaching the children at Mahaica Orphanage
Beverly with children in the library
Feeding the children #1
Beverly in Brazil
At Mahaica Orphanage. Not enough hands, use the feet
Feeding the children #2
"Let's go fly a Kite"
by Miriam Wheeler
Scarboro Lay Missioner to Guyana
The Easter Celebrations have to be the most beautiful in the church calendar. The link from the Last Supper to the Cross to the Empty Tomb is a succession of emotions from despair to hope; from tears to joy; and from death to new life.
Throughout the world, symbols of this new life, associated with the Resurrection, abound. In many parts of North America, the Easter egg has come to symbolize this marvel of New Life. Other cultures celebrate the butterfly emerging from the cocoon to a new and transformed life... In Hebrew Scripture, the Rainbow is a sign of Resurrection. The whiteness of the lily, seen on so many altars at this time of year, symbolizes that New Life we all celebrate at Easter.
Here in Guyana, the kite is a reminder that JESUS IS RISEN. Prior to Easter weekend, the streets of Guyana were a blaze of colour with vendors displaying their kites on shop buildings and fences. In the market, one could purchase all the trappings needed to construct a kite. Everyone gets into the mood. Easter Monday being a national holiday, families head to an open space to let the breezes play tag with their kites.
Last Easter we went to the National Park to free our kites...Melina and Vishnu, two Guyanese friends invited us, along with the Missionary Sisters of Charity, to tag along with their family. After many attempts, some of us managed to get a kite airborne. Luckily, Sister Daisy's kite was the only slight casualty. Somehow her kite string was collected into a knotted mess. Everyone enjoyed a sumptuous lunch prepared by Vishnu and Melina. The day was a celebration not only of the Resurrection but also a tribute to family. All ages could be seen; eyes skyward, watching their kites dance in the breeze.
This year, we went to the Seawall to unleash our kites. Zalina, a young girl from St Ann's was staying with me as she had a broken bone in her foot. My neighbour Kay and I borrowed a well used wheelchair from Gregory and whisked Zalina off to the Seawall. This is truly a family day for the Guyanese. Picnics are planned and kites pepper the sky from noon to dusk. The vendors are out in full force and there is a wonderful feeling of a renewed spirit.
This being my second Easter in Guyana, I made my own kite and felt very privileged to have been a part of this wonderful tradition. It is truly a reminder of New Life! I know that I am experiencing and enjoying a different type of New Life here in Guyana but I also remember, with fondness, the feeling of newness that spring always brought to me in Canada.
Kite flying off the seawall (the tide was out)
Open field at The National Park.
Miriam with her kite well up in the clouds
Sr Daisy, Missionaries of Charity with, Jasmine.
Zalena, sitting on the Seawall.
Sister of Charity
Little girl who won 3rd in the Children's Hat competition
Winner (86 yrs) of Senior Hat competition.
Melina's Family
Kate O'Donnell's support visit to Malawi (November 2007)
Gwen Westwell listening to a student at Marymount School
By Scarboro Lay Mission Coordinator Kate O'Donnell
In November I visited our missioners in Malawi and had a wonderful time experiencing a different culture and meeting different people. Our missioners are involved in many things and I was very impressed by the gift of their presence to everyone they come in contact with. Our missioners are involved mostly in teaching, but their every day interaction with the people of Malawi is a great witness to their Christian faith. Our missioners are open and approachable, and people of Malawi are quick to pick up on this. As I observed the interaction of our missioners I was reminded that indeed "to be is a blessing".
See other pictures in the Photo Gallery
Kate O'Donnell having fun with some children
Gwen and Michael Westwell with some school children
Some children at the Community School
Fr. Jim McGuire giving Holy Communion at mass in the prison
Mary Olenick's support visit to Guyana (December 2007)
By Lay Mission Co-coordinator Mary Olenick
This was my first visit to Guyana and, I must say, I enjoyed it immensely. It was great to share in the lives of our missioners, to see first hand what they are doing in mission and interact with some of the local people. I was especially touched by all the young children in a Day Care Center and Orphanage that one of our missioners works in. It was wonderful to watch Scarboro Missioner Miriam Wheeler come alive with the young children and to watch Scarboro priest, Fr. Russ Sampson, as he celebrated Mass. His face would light up and the people, both young and old responded.
Although I didn't see Scarboro Missioner Beverly Trach in her work place because her mission is in Brazil, I did have a chance to listen to her relate her experiences through pictures and stories. Her good instincts and patience in working with street kids and adolescents and her great sense of humor shone through as I listened to her. Each of the missioners, although very different, has a beautiful way of reflecting Christ and it was very evident that the work that they're involved in is life giving to them.
See other pictures in the Photo Gallery
Scarboro missioners Mary Olenick, Miriam Wheeler, Fr. Russ Sampson and Beverly Trach
Fr. Russ Sampson in front of his parish in Silver Hills
Fr. Russ Sampson at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Linden
Miriam Wheeler with students at St. Ann's Orphanage in Georgetown
Are you interested in becoming a Scarboro Missioner?
Lay Mission work in October 2006 Magazine Issue
To read about the current Lay Mission work in the latest magazine issue, click here
INTERFAITH DESK NEWS
Guidelines for group visits to Houses of Worship
Visiting houses of worship of other faith traditions is one of the most effective ways to learn about other religions. This set of comprehensive guidelines provides all the necessary information for making such a group visit a wonderful cultural, religious and educational experience. The guidelines were written by JW Windland, a highly respected multifaith educator with 40 years of experience in visiting houses of worship. Read more ...
Scarboro Missions honoured by the North American Interfaith Network
The Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department has been chosen as one of eight interfaith organizations to be profiled at the 20th anniversary conference of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) www.nain.org. It will be held at the University of San Francisco in July of this year, sponsored by the Interfaith Center at the Presidio.
Planners thought that during this retrospective celebration of the past 20 years of grassroots interfaith dialogue, they would do well to hold up good examples of the various new ways interreligious bridge-building is being done. When they asked people to suggest exemplary groups to profile, Scarboro Missions was nominated. Here is the criteria the planning committee worked from:
"Vital, successful organizations developing new approaches to multifaith relationship-building"
In the 20 years since the North America Interfaith Network started, thousands of local grassroots groups have organized across the continent. NAIN 2008 will profile eight from among the thousands, not because they are biggest or best, but because they seem to be doing exemplary work in new ways and we know about them. Had we more time at the conference, the list could have been much longer.
At the conference, Scarboro Missions will be invited to make a presentation of its work to a plenary audience of 200 people.
President of Mozambique accepts Golden Rule Poster
Mussie Hailu is board chair of the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative which is an Ethiopia-wide interfaith organization. Inspired by Scarboro's Golden Rule poster, Mussie has been promoting the Golden Rule concept across Africa and beyond. He has translated the poster into the dominant language of Ethiopia and has distributed 10,000 copies of it across the country.
On a recent trip to Mozambique, he presented the poster to the president of the country as well as to other important officials. Mussie also managed to get 1000 copies of the poster translated into Portuguese (an important language in Mozambique). Here is the e-mail we received from him.
"Dear friends at Scarboro Missions,
Greetings of peace, light and blessing to all of you from Ethiopia. This is to inform you that on my recent trip to Mozambique on behalf of United Religions Initiative to celebrate the World Religions Day, I presented the Golden Rule poster to the President of the country. I also presented a copy to the former President and the President of the opposition party of the Republic of Mozambique as part of the Peace award for maintaining the peace accord which they signed 15 years a go. The Golden Rule poster has been translated into Portuguese and 1000 copies printed through the compliments of one local printing house. The Proclamation of Golden Rule Day which is adopted by Interfaith Peace-building Initiative in Ethiopia was also endorsed, translated and presented to leaders in Mozambique and different religious organizations.
May Peace Prevail on Earth, Mussie.
Establishing a worldwide Golden Rule Day
Mussie Hailu is also regional co-ordinator of the United Religions Initiative, a planet- wide interfaith organization. He is trying to establish a worldwide Golden Rule Day. In a speech given last September during the International Day of Peace in Ethiopia, he called
"upon all citizens of the world, religious leaders of the world, mayors, heads of state of the world, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States, interfaith organizations, schools, higher learning institutions, the business community and civil society to join Interfaith Peace-building Initiative in Ethiopia in proclaiming Golden Rule Day".
The Golden Rule in Native Spirituality (added to Interfaith Commentaries)
The Golden Rule section of the Scarboro Missions website features an Interfaith Commentaries segment. Here members of various religions are invited to reflect on the Golden Rule from the perspective of their faith tradition. Recently, a Native Spirituality reflection was added. The reflection entitled, "Reverence for Mother Earth", was written by Frances Sanderson, an Ojibwa, who shares the Native teachings with audiences throughout Ontario, Canada. Read more....
13 Golden Rule texts translated into Portuguese
The thirteen Golden Rule texts on the Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster have been translated into Portuguese and are now available on the Scarboro website along with French, German, Italian and Spanish translations. The Portuguese translation is the fruit of the collaboration of individuals from three continents; this effort was coordinated by Scarboro missioner, Fr. Ron Macdonell of Brazil.
Building a Global Interfaith Community – Jan-Feb 2007 issue
This special edition of Scarboro magazine reports on the international interfaith activity of the Catholic Church. The reader is taken on a journey from Egypt to Rome, Canada, Guyana, the United States and to Africa and across Asia. With inspiration from the last four Popes, Catholics around the globe are embracing interfaith dialogue and often in leadership roles. Read articles from this Jan-Feb 2007 issue.
Golden Rule Curriculum for Schools
This comprehensive and well-organized curriculum can be used in public, religious and private schools as well as by Sunday school teachers, home-schooling parents, scout leaders and other youth educators. Read more
Learn more about Interfaith Resources
There is a wealth of information about Interfaith Dialogue (e.g., Golden Rule, Teaching Models, Guidelines for Dialogue) on this web site. Read more...
JUSTICE AND PEACE OFFICE NEWS
Climate change – time to choose our story
The March-April 2008 issue of Scarboro Missions magazine opens with a feature on climate change. Ecosystems, developing countries and future generations are at risk of the greatest impacts from climate change, a crisis caused primarily by industrialized countries and excess consumption. "Climate change threatens a 'twin catastrophe', with early setbacks in human development for the world's poor being succeeded by longer term dangers for all of humanity" in the words of United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon. We can leave an ever larger ecological debt for future generations to pay – or we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and live more sustainably.
Climate change is calling us to reconnect with the wisdom of our faith. The article introduces the Re-energize... time for a carbon sabbath campaign developed by KAIROS, the coalition of Canadian churches and religious organizations working for justice. KAIROS contends that "While the current state of our planet represents the gravest of crises, we are not without hope or vision; our faith does not permit the luxury of despair. The resurrected Christ restores us to a right relationship with God, one another, and the rest of God.s Creation upon which we depend." Three responses found in the Christian tradition – the contemplative, the ascetic and the prophetic – can guide our actions in response to climate change.
Read the article to learn more and find resources there for further exploration and action. In June 2007 Scarboro missioners participating in the General Chapter unanimously agreed to make climate change and ecological justice the first priority for Justice and Peace Office work.
Urgent Action request for support of traditional land rights from indigenous communities of Raposa Serra do Sol in Roraima, Brazil
The Indigenous communities and organizations of Raposa Serra do Sol in Roraima, Brazil are urgently seeking international support email or fax letters at a critical moment in the struggle for their traditional land. The Supreme Court of Brazil has to soon make a decision regarding the legal status of their traditional land and the removal of non-indigenous people from the reserve. A decision in favour of the invaders would set a serious precedent in Brazilian legislation--all indigenous lands in Brazil, those already demarcated, legalized, and registered, could be contested and revised.
Background
On April 15, 2005 President Lula of Brazil ratified the Raposa Serra do Sol Reserve in the state of Roraima as one continuous reserve for approximately 16,000 Indigenous people. This was considered a historic restitution of indigenous rights after more than thirty years of struggle by the Macuxi, Wapixana, Ingarikó, Taurepang and Patamona peoples for legal recognition of their traditional land. All non-indigenous people had one year to leave the reserve and would be compensated.
Most of the non-indigenous people complied with the one-year required exit with compensation. However, three years later, many have remained including six rice farmers. They lead the resistance to removal, including the use of violent and intimidating actions. The large majority of Indigenous people want the non-indigenous rice growers and ranchers to leave the reserve while a minority supports them and wants them to stay.
On March 27, 2008 the Brazilian federal government announced a Federal Police operation to remove the remaining non-indigenous people from Raposa Serra do Sol. Several hundred Federal Police arrived in Roraima to carry out the operation. The rice farmers and their supporters then proceeded with 11 days of protest and terror which included burning bridges, blocking and destroying roads, using home made bombs and making threats. The local paper in favour of the rice farmers and ranchers carried many inflammatory articles including threats of violence against the Indigenous Council of Roraima and the local Church. The Bishops of Brazil sent a letter supporting the actions of the Brazilian federal government and expressing hope for a rapid and peaceful removal of non-indigenous people from the reserve, with the law to be respected by all.
However, on April 9th the Brazilian Supreme Court suspended the Federal Police operation so they were no longer authorized to remove the non-indigenous people. Instead, the Federal Police are to provide security in the area until the Supreme Court passes judgment on measures put forth by those protesting the 2005 ratification of the reserve. The Indigenous Peoples plan to continue the struggle for their land 'until the last Indigenous person'. They are seeking international support and representatives are bringing the story of what is happening in Raposa Serra do Sol to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues meeting April 21st to May 2nd in New York.
The Indigenous communities and organizations of Raposa Serra do Sol have also recently sent a letter seeking support for their request to the Supreme Court of Brazil. They are requesting supporters to urgently send a solidarity letter to members of the Supreme Court. Below is an English translation of the letter. It is followed by the solidarity letter in Portuguese which should be sent to the President of Brazil and members of the Supreme Court whose contact information has been provided at the end.
Many thanks if you decide to participate. Please pray for a just and peaceful resolution so the Indigenous Peoples of Raposa Serra do Sol gain full rights to their traditional land for which they have struggled so long.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF SOLIDARITY LETTER
Dear Sir or Madam,
The indigenous communities of the Makuxi, Wapichana, Taurepang, Patamona and Ingarikó peoples are undergoing a time of affliction, with the announcement of a reduction of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol by the Federal Supreme Court, who approved a legal action suspending the removal of non-indigenous people from the reserve.
We understand that the ratification of the legalization decree of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol is essential for the indigenous peoples of Roraima and of Brazil, since several national public interests are in agreement. However, if the decision of the Federal Supreme Court goes in favour of the invaders, a serious precedent would be set in Brazilian legislation. All indigenous lands in Brazil, those already demarcated, legalized, and registered, could be contested and revised.
In 2005, the Indigenous Land Raposa/Serra do Sol was legalized and registered, in accordance with the Federal Constitution of Brazil and international law, ILO Convention 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All that remains is the removal of the invaders.
For this reason we request that the Federal Supreme court ratify the legalization decree of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol, removing the invaders and doing justice so long hoped for by the indigenous peoples in 34 years of struggle and suffering.
[signature of individuals and organizations]
SOLIDARITY LETTER IN PORTUGUESE:
Exmo. Senhor...
As comunidades indígenas Macuxi, Wapixana, Taurepang, Patamona e Ingarikó passam por momento de aflição, com anuncio de redução da terra indígena Raposa Serra do Sol, pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal, após de ter concedido a liminar que suspendeu a retirada dos não índios de sua terra.
Entendemos que a ratificação do decreto de homologação da Terra indígena Raposa Serra do Sol, é fundamental para os povos indígenas de Roraima e do Brasil, uma vez que já harmonizou vários interesses públicos nacionais. No entanto, se a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal for a favor dos invasores, abre-se um gravíssimo precedente na legislação brasileira. Todas as terras indígenas do Brasil, já demarcadas, homologadas e registradas, poderão ser contestadas e revisadas.
No ano 2005 a Terra Indígena Raposa Serra do Sol foi Homologada e Registrada, conforme a Constituição Federal do Brasil e o direito internacional, Convenção 169 da OIT e declaração da ONU sobre Direitos dos Povos Indígenas. Resta apenas a desintrusão dos invasores.
Por isso solicitamos ao Supremo Tribunal Federal, que ratifique o decreto de homologação da Terra Indígena Raposa Serra do Sol, retirando os invasores e fazendo assim a justiça esperada pelos povos indígenas há 34 anos de luta e de sofrimento.
[signature of individuals and organizations]
Please send preferably the Portuguese version of the letter to the following addresses:
PRESIDÊNCIA DA REPÚBLICA: (PRESIDENT OF BRASIL)
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Fax: (61) 34112222
E-mail: gilcarvalho@planalto.gov.br
STF - SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL: (SUPREME COURT OF BRASIL)
Presidente
Ministro GILMAR MENDES
Fax: (61) 32174189
E-mail: mgilmar@stf.gov.br
Relator
Ministro CARLOS BRITTO
Fax: (61) 32174339
E-mail: gabcarlosbritto@stf.gov.br
MINISTRA ELLEN GRACIE
Fax: (61)32174249
E-mail: silvia.leticia@stf.gov.br
MINISTRO CELSO DE MELLO
Telefone: (61) 32174073
MINISTRO MARCO AURÉLIO
Fax: (61) 32174309
E-mail: marcoaurelio@stf.gov.br
MINISTRO CEZAR PELUSO
Fax: (61) 32174219
E-mail: mluciam@stf.gov.br
MINISTRO JOAQUIM BARBOSA
Fax: 61-32174159
E-mail: gabminjoaquim@stf.gov.br
MINISTRO EROS GRAU
Fax: 61-32174399
E-mail: alexandram@stf.gov.br
MINISTRO RICARDO LEWANDOWSKI
Fax: 61-32174279
E-mail: patriciaml@stf.gov.br
MINISTRA CÁRMEN LÚCIA
Fax: 61-32174355 / 61-32174369
E-mail: audienciacarmen@stf.gov.br
MINISTRO MENEZES DIREITO
Fax: 61-32174129
E-mail: gabmdireito@stf.gov.br
Canadian Bishops' Pastoral Letter on the Environment calls for Conversion
In March the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops published a pastoral letter "Our Relationship with the Environment: The Need for Conversion" calling for conversion from attitudes and behaviours contributing to ecological breakdown. "Selfishness is no longer merely immoral, it is becoming suicidal. We no longer have a choice about new solidarity and new forms of sharing." We need to move from greed and selfishness, "an obsession to possess and consume", to "joyful austerity".
Climate change threatens devastating effects especially for the poorest nations in the South. The Bishops highlight Canada's extreme disregard for its commitments: "After signing the Kyoto Protocol, in which we agreed to decrease our greenhouse gases to six per cent less than those of 1990, we have instead increased them by approximately 25 per cent." Canada.s current leaders are concerned about burdening future generations with debt but the Bishops contend that "a damaged environment represents a debt incomparably greater and more difficult to reduce".
The Canadian Bishops promote a "genuine conversion" that "will help us mend the ruptures and re-establish our life relationship with nature, our sisters and brothers, and the Creator of Life."
Read the Bishops' Pastoral Letter on the Environment here.
Read the Bishops' news release here.
Teachers K-12: Resources on Climate Change and other Environmental Topics
Looking for lesson plans, activities, games and stories for teaching about climate change and other environmental topics? The KAIROS Re-energize campaign has a section at Zerofootprint Kids where teachers can find resources on global warming, pollution, energy, transportation, water and other topics arranged by class level. Go here for teacher resources.
There is also a Zerofootprint Kid's Calculator which measures a child's ecological footprint. This child friendly version involves answering some lifestyle questions after which a child can discover how much carbon, land, water and trees are needed to support the lifestyle in comparison to the average Canadian. Go here to Zerofootprint Kids Calculator.
Adults and youth can measure their ecological footprint as well at Re-energize. Go here.
KAIROS News: Re-energize – Time for a Carbon Sabbath
"Our addiction to oil is killing people and the planet ... sometimes slowly through the degradation of the air that we breathe and the ecosystems on which we all depend, and sometime quickly as a result of human rights abuses and conflict over the control and use of fossil fuels. Are there alternatives?" Visit the new KAIROS campaign website www.re-energize.org to discover more about our dependence on fossil fuels and how we can change ourselves, change our communities, and help change our world as together we re-energize.
The KAIROS campaign Re-energize: Time for a Carbon Sabbath looks at the role oil plays in our individual and community lives to see how we might take a "Carbon Sabbath" and reduce our reliance on oil. It proposes that we critically examine how fossil fuels are supported in government policy and with taxpayer dollars. KAIROS calls on the Canadian government to conduct an audit of subsidies to the fossil industry in order to determine if they contribute to ecological destruction, human rights abuses, and conflict around the world. The campaign includes a call for binding legislation to hold energy corporations operating overseas accountable for human rights and environmental abuses committed in the course of their work.
The re-energize website includes the campaign advocacy action as well as various education and faith resources. Find a "Carbon Sabbath" bible study, planning notes for a "100 Mile" church picnic or harvest dinner, and an outline for a 12 hour Power Down Day or "energy fast." Go here to learn more.