18
September 9, 2014
The Valley Catholic
community
stockton Diocese to use solar power to raise
funds, encourage care for creation
Bay area Conference of associates and
Religious, Oct. 4 event
By dennis sadowski
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The solar
energy revolution has come to the
Diocese of Stockton, where officials have
teamed with a solar energy firm and
the Catholic Climate Covenant to offer
members of three parishes the chance
Solar panels are key to a new program in the
to begin saving on their electricity bills
Diocese of Stockton where officials have teamed
while raising funds for their parish and
with a solar energy firm and the Catholic Climate
local Catholic Charities programs.
Covenant. (CNS photo/Mike Blake, Reuters)
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton
kicked off the project Aug. 16 at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, saying the effort gives parishioners the opportunity to add a solar energy system to their homes
with little or no upfront costs in an effort to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
The partnership incudes Sungevity, a developer of rooftop power systems in
Oakland. The company was founded in 2007 and uses the Internet almost exclusively
to market and design solar systems. The company has partnered with dozens of
nonprofit organizations to raise funds through referrals by current users.
“This gives parishioners a chance to get involved in solar energy in their homes,”
Bishop Blaire said. “They receive a discount and they can either lease or purchase
the system. There are different ways to make it possible for the average person to
save money and reduce the use of energy.”
The three parishes formally involved include the cathedral, St. Anthony of Padua
in Manteca and Sacred Heart in Patterson. Parishioners anywhere in the diocese
are welcome to participate.
The program is designed so that parishioners with modest incomes can sign up to
lease or buy outright a solar system. When a parishioner refers another parishioner
for a solar set-up, Sungevity contributes $750 -- 50 percent to the parish, 25 percent
to diocesan Catholic Charities and 25 percent to the Catholic Climate Covenant,
which helped arrange the program.
“We hope to get a lot of referrals,” said Dan Misleh, Executive Director of the
Catholic Climate Covenant in Washington. “But more importantly it’s an education
moment about the need to care for creation and to put into practice what we believe.”
The Stockton Diocese has long been in the forefront of efforts to promote environmental justice. It has had a staff member devoted to environmental justice for
many years, Bishop Blaire said.
The poor air quality in the San Joaquin Valley and California’s years-long drought
has driven the diocese to look at ways to educate people about climate change, air
pollution and fossil fuel usage, he said.
By Kathy noether
The Bay Area Conference of Associates and Religious (BACAR, Inc.) will have
its 14th conference, Sat., Oct. 4, feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, at Notre Dame High
School, 1540 Ralston Ave., Belmont, 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Entitled “Traditioning Our Charisms - Exploring a Charismatic Way of Life,”
Associates, Religious and friends are invited to explore faithfulness in living
Baptismal promises in the context of the charism of St. Francis and Pope Francis.
A charism is a spiritual gift that flows from God’s love to his people. “Charism”
defines the spirit of a person or community. Attendees are invited to reflect on the
charism of Saint Francis and the charisms of Religious communities which help
define issues within the Church today.
Association is a call of the Spirit inviting women and men to participate with
Sisters, Brothers and priests in the ministry and prayer of their congregations
in today’s Church. This relationship expands the gifts of each congregation and
enriches the faith community.
Speaker/facilitator is Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley who serves as Director of
Institutes and Spirituality in the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Ed