Nafra Ecology Commission Activity Report 31Oct03-31Oct04
Communications/Writings:
Commission members continued to submit articles for publication in issues of TAU-USA over the period.
Commission members continued to refine and add to "ecopenance exercises," an activity-based initiative which the commission began last year.
New Commission member Fr. Larry Bernard, SFO has written numerous commentaries and letters of request to various federal agencies and corporations over the period. Please request details from Fr. Bernard, if interested.
Commission member Ron Stoner, SFO modified the environmental stewardship section of the NAFRA Ecology Commission brochure for use by St. Francis of Assisi Church in Derwood, MD.
Meetings/Events:
The commission has met via a series of 1-hr conference calls in November and December 2003, and January 2004. The primary purpose of these tele-meetings is to prepare for the upcoming June 2004 All-Commissions Conference in Denver. Secondarily, this series of conference call meetings allowed the commission to 1) get to know new commissioner Ron Stoner, SFO, 2) prepare of our annual NAFRA Ecology Commission meeting to be held 15-17 February 2004 in Lafayette, LA, and 3) discuss additional pertinent issues such as Co-chair Jane DeRose-Bamman's departure from the commission, the appointment of one or more additional commission members, and the appointment of a commission member who might also function as the commission's spiritual assistant.
The commission held its annual meeting on 15-17 Feb 2004 at the Jesuit retreat center in Grand Coteau, LA. The meeting focused on 1) reviewing various philosophical perspectives regarding environmental issues (since we come from such varying backgrounds), and 2) fleshing out our presentations to be given at the NAFRA All Commissions Conference in Denver.
The entire commission attended the June 2004 All Commissions Conference. Commission members Fontenot, Stoner, Young, and Bernard gave presentations and workshops lasting 2-3 hours each to 30-35 attendees.
Commission member Fred Young, SFO represented the commission at The Trap Hills Special Challenge for Religion conference/retreat held on 30 Sept - 02 Oct in Michigan. The event was billed as "An Exploration to Articulate the Spiritual Values of Upper Michigan's
Nafra Ecology Commission Activity Report 31Oct03-31Oct04
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Unprotected Wilderness." Our commission agreed to participate as a supporting co-sponsor.
Commission member Young gave a presentation regarding the SFO's Ecology Commission to the Northwoods Wilderness Alliance, an NGO located in Michagan.
Commission members Stoner and McKenna each organized stream clean-up events within their respective states (Maryland and Illinois, respectively).
Commission members Stoner and McKenna gave Franciscan Ecology presentations on both the regional and local fraternity levels within their respective regions (St. Margaret of Cortona and Mother Cabrini, respectively).
Commission member Fontenot gave a Franciscan Ecology presentation at a local fraternity meeting (St. John the Evangelist Fraternity, Lafayette, LA).
Other:
The commission continued its rebuilding process, accepting the resignation of John Eckert, SFO from the commission, and appointing Fred Young, SFO and Nancy McKenna, SFO as commission members, and Fr. Larry Bernard, OFM as the commission's spiritual assistant.
Commission member McKenna has produced an auxillary SFO Ecology "working website" for the purpose of posting various NAFRA ecology commission writings and presentations in PDF format. She is also working with NAFRA website specialist Vickie Klick and NAFRA commissions coordinator Jane DeRose-Bamman in posting NAFRA Ecology Commission presentations from the ACC in Denver to the NAFRA Ecology Commission site within the NAFRA website.
The commission has responded to numerous phone calls, emails, etc. about the SFO Ecology Commission.
The commission continues to pray that the Holy Spirit guide us in our new environmental peace-making direction.
Plans for the Future:
The commission is focusing on development on the possible development of a video introducing Franciscan ecology concepts and issues.