Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s Care for Our Common Home

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have a mission that includes a commitment to care for Earth. In this spirit, Care for Our Common Home is meant to encourage SCN ministries, small local communities, and sisters to “Intensify efforts across the Congregation to address the destruction of natural resources and the ecological and environmental crisis.” SCN General Assembly Directive 4B

Choose the level of engagement that is right for you: sisters may choose between a Basic and Advanced program, and ministries will select the “Ministry” program.

Within each program are three levels of activities, representing an increasing level of effort: 

1. First Level- Roots
2. Second Level- Branches
3. Third Level- Canopy

You are encouraged to challenge yourself and complete all three levels to live more sustainably and lower our impact on Earth’s resources. 

For the Advanced and Ministry programs, please complete ten or more practices per level, with at least one practice chosen from each of these four categories: Prayer & Daily Practices, Education & Advocacy, Buildings, and Grounds. You may also substitute up to two practices per level of your own design, although please have them approved in advance by the Director of Ecological Sustainability.

For the Basic program, please complete five practices per level, with at least one practice chosen from each of three categories: Prayer & Daily Practices, Education & Advocacy, and Surroundings. You may also substitute up to one practice per level of your own design.

Once you have completed a level, submit the Level Completion Form to the Director of Ecological Sustainability, along with photos and other documentation. You will receive an award for each level completed and will be recognized in SCN communiqué. 

For questions about the program, contact Carolyn Cromer, Director of Ecological Sustainability, at (502) 348-1589 or ccromer@scnky.org.

Tips on How to Begin

• If part of a ministry or small local community, gather a representative group of people (2 to 8) to serve as a Green Team. Where possible, include representation from leadership, finance, facilities management, grounds, and H.R. If participating as an individual, adapt the following as is appropriate.
• At the first meeting, talk about what God is calling the group to do. Give group members an opportunity to share their story of being called to this particular ministry. Why do they have a passion to care for God’s creation?
• Where helpful, create a mission statement to guide the Green Team’s vision and ongoing efforts.
• Write a summary of past activities towards sustainability. This will serve as a record of accomplishments and a chance to celebrate what you have already done.
• Choose what level of achievement you are striving for from the Projects Chart and select your five or ten required items. 
• Make an annual action plan. The plan should contain a budget and a list of who will be responsible for tasks.
• Recruit and communicate! Recruit and educate others within the local community or ministry to join in the Green Team’s efforts. Spread the word loudly through more than one communication medium about the Team’s mission, projects undertaken, and results seen.