On Care For Our Common Home – Laudato Si!
A small group of Parishioners in Camberwell met to read & discuss Pope Francis’ encyclical letter “Laudato Si”, On Care For Our Common Home. The Group considered how, as a Parish, we should respond to the Pope’s call. The following is a list of suggestions of what can be done to care for our common home.
Not all Suggestions will apply to you. Some will not be practical in your circumstances. Please consider the list & adopt these suggestions with which you are comfortable.
| Domestic | |
| 1 | Boil only the amount of water you need |
| 2 | Buy ethical clothing |
| 3 | Buy local food, Farmers Market for example |
| 4 | Cook only what can be eaten |
| 5 | Do only a full load in your dishwasher |
| 6 | Do only a full load in your washing machine |
| 7 | Dry your washing outside |
| 8 | Limit your shower to 6 minutes |
| 9 | Reduce water use by installing tap flow regulators (It is easy) |
| 10 | Take adequate time to rest |
| 11 | Use the Boroondara Council A to Z recycling and waste guide |
| 12 | Sort rubbish & place in correct bins |
| 13 | Recycle food scraps |
| 14 | Use environmentally friendly cleaning products |
| 15 | Make your environmentally friendly cleaning products |
| 16 | Use only Fairtrade tea & coffee |
| 17 | Use a slow cooker |
| 18 | Use leftover food |
| 19 | Use washable crockery, cutlery & serviettes |
| 20 | Wash laundry at 30 C where practical |
| Energy | |
| 21 | Turn off appliances when not in use, especially overnight |
| 22 | Turn down thermostats |
| 23 | Turn off computers & photocopiers when not in use, especially overnight |
| 24 | Turn off unnecessary lights |
| 25 | Use an electric shaver rather than disposable blades to reduce waste |
| 26 | Use the Victorian Energy Upgrade scheme to switch to energy-efficient lights |
| 27 | Wear warmer clothing instead of turning up the heater |
| Movement | |
| 28 | Share a car for Mass |
| 29 | Use car pooling |
| 30 | Use public transport |
| 31 | Use the stairs rather than the lift |
| 32 | Walk to Mass |
| 33 | Walk, cycle, or take the bus, train or tram |
| Technology | |
| 34 | Email & text to reduce paper consumption |
| 35 | Print double sided |
| 36 | Re-use single-sided documents for drafts & the like |
| 37 | Stop junk mail |
| Spirituality And Humanity | |
| 38 | Give people a friendly smile |
| 39 | Give thanks to God before & after meals |
| 40 | Greet people by name |
| 41 | Plant trees for Baptisms, Confirmations, & first Holy Communions |
| 42 | Random acts of kindness |
| Other | |
| 43 | Avoid the use of non-recyclable plastic |
| 44 | Avoid using plastic water bottles |
| 45 | Buy from “Op” Shops |
| 46 | Donate unwanted goods to “Op” Shops |
| 47 | Grow your own vegetables, herbs, & fruit |
| 48 | Join a Community Garden |
| 49 | Make your own gifts, for example jam, clothes, & the like |
| 50 | Use washable mugs, even for take-away |