2 minute read
The Green Team: Caring for All God’s Creation, Caring for Our Home
In 2015, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical Laudato si’ (On Care for Our Common Home). The pope asks all of us to consider the words of St. Francis of Assisi, who called the Earth “our sister.” He asks everyone, not just Catholics, to work together to shape a healthy future for the planet.
It is based on the concepts outlined in this document that the Queen of the Holy Rosary Green Team continues its important work. Jim and Melinda Borelli recently took over coordinating the Green Team. They, along with the 46 members, hope to continue the work of founders Scott and Leslie Schulte, who started the ministry more than 12 years ago.
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“This is one of the most important ministries given our current circumstances,” Jim says. “I look forward to doing something to set up future generations for success.”
The Green Team exists to do more than just ensure that people recycle. Jim and Melinda also want to coordinate with all ministries to ensure everything at Queen of the Holy Rosary has a consideration of care for God’s creation. Melinda is especially passionate about this work, having grown up on a farm with a love for nature.
“Are we living lives of integrity with respect for our environment — our home?” Melinda says. “It sustains us, and we don’t own it. It’s not just about the budget. We need to ask, ‘How am I called to be a witness in praise to God for His gifts of creation?”
One example of a Green Team project, also in need of volunteers, is the grove of fruit trees on parish grounds, called the Giving Grove. The harvest goes to those in need throughout the area. Help is needed with pruning and picking.
During Advent, the Green Team will host a series to teach people more about the encyclical Laudato si’.
Jim and Melinda are so excited about the future for the Green Team. They want to start to lay the groundwork so each ministry can consider ways to be “greener” in their work. In particular, Melinda wants to determine if the outside plants are sustainable and a place for bees. She also wants to make sure ministries are using reusable items and not always just using plastic.
“We just really want to stress to people that this is a global problem,” Jim says. “We want people to be like the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, and do small things to care for our planet. I believe the key to this ministry is also the Holy Spirit.”
