With various Earth Day celebrations scheduled across the globe this spring, members of the communities of Lisbon and Mount Vernon will be engaging with ecological issues closer to home. On Sunday, May 5, from 1-2 p.m., the Social Justice Committee at Saint John’s Catholic Church will be hosting a community-wide event called, “Interfaith Dialogue on Care for our Common Home.”
The one-hour event will feature a short excerpt from the documentary film, “The Letter,” examples of ecological stewardship from local farmers and volunteers, and structured time for group discussion and reflection. Community members of all faith backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
Jessica Wiskus, chair of the committee organizing the event, says that this isn’t just another lecture about energy-efficient light bulbs.
“I think that what we are trying to identify are the ways that our inner faith gives us strength to respond to the needs of the land. This inner faith might look different for each person—it could be rooted in a sense of community, a sense of spirituality, of the beauty of nature, or in Scripture, for example—but the motivation itself is what binds us together in shared dialogue,” explains Wiskus.
She points to a passage from Pope Francis’s encyclical, On Care for Our Common Home, as inspiration for the event, which reads, “Local individuals and groups can make a real difference. They are able to instill a greater sense of responsibility, a strong sense of community, a readiness to protect others, a spirit of creativity and a deep love for the land.”
“We have an amazing community here that cares deeply about the land and has for generations” adds Wiskus. “The goal is to take a little time during a fun-filled weekend in May to be together and learn from each other about actions happening locally that help build a more resilient future.”
The event is free and open to the public. Cookies and refreshments will be served. Entrance can be made through St. John’s lower level.