The Parish as Oasis – An Introduction to Practical Environmental Care is a new book that outlines practical steps that parishes can take to participate in environmental care, while working together with others on climate action.
Written by Kevin Hargaden and Ciara Murphy of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (JCFJ), the book is “a practical and accessible introduction to how local churches can contribute to healing the environmental crisis. By focusing on practical ‘experiments’ that any parish can explore according to their own context and capacities, this book seeks to equip people with a hands-on understanding of the ideas unpacked in Laudato Si’. It is a book that aspires to inspire congregations to get their hands dirty, but also plants those initiatives with a coherent eco-theology.”
Ciara Murphy notes in her JCFJ article, From COP in Egypt to your Parish: How we care for our Common Home, that parishes and church groups have a strong role in an active and diverse environmental movement that Ireland needs in transitioning to a decarbonised society – one that conserves and enhances biodiversity. And this new book “offers a practical introduction to what parishes and community groups can do in this climate and biodiversity crisis.”
The Parish as Oasis will be launched on 6 December 2022 at the JCFJ premises in inner-city Dublin, where Gardiner Street Parish is taking environmental action, installin a poly tunnel in the garden of the Jesuit residence to grow fruits and vegetables as a way of connecting with the land and the local community.
Please register here if you wish to join the book launch at JCFJ in Dublin, Ireland.
