Chaminade Julienne Sophomore Retreat: Care for Our Common Home
Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School's sophomore class participated in a faith-based retreat focused on environmental stewardship, which combined prayer, community service with local nonprofits, and reflections on integral ecology.
Last month, the entire sophomore class at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio, participated in a full-day retreat focused on Care for Our Common Home. The retreat aimed to inspire students to care for the Earth by showing how environmental stewardship is integral to caring for one another—especially the poor and vulnerable—and living out their faith.
The morning began with a gathering in the auditorium for scripture readings, reflective prayer, and excerpts from Laudato Si'. Senior retreat leaders then led small group sessions, giving students the opportunity to explore the themes of Laudato Si' more deeply.
Five groups were then sent into the broader Dayton community to perform service. Although inclement weather prevented two groups from completing their outdoor activities, three local nonprofits benefited from the students' work, which included neighborhood cleanups, invasive honeysuckle removal, and animal care.
The day concluded with small-group discussions and a closing prayer service. During discussions, students reflected on their experiences, examined the human impact on environmental problems, and explored integral ecology—a Catholic worldview that sees the environmental, social, economic, and spiritual dimensions of life as interconnected. Finally, each sophomore wrote a personal commitment on a paper leaf to attach to their group's poster board, symbolizing their pledge to care for people and the planet.
Update sent by Molly Bardine,
Director of Mission Integration,
Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, Dayton, OH
Ministry Lead, Marianist Encounters
Save on Solar: Nonprofits can do good better
As a follow-up to our earlier update in September 2026, we are sharing this article published in the Dayton Daily News on October 14, 2026, by Lay Marianist and retired University of Dayton faculty member, Mary Ellen Dillon, where she urges nonprofits, including our schools and institutions, to pursue solar subsidies before the end of October 2026.
Read Mary Ellen's article OPINION: Save on Solar: Nonprofits can do good better | Opinion | journal-news.com
Through this article, nonprofits are urged to act by the end of October to secure a 30% to 50% federal cash subsidy for installing solar panels before the December 31, 2027 deadline. Beyond hedging against rising utility costs and reducing the state's high carbon emissions, transitioning to solar also cuts toxic fine particulate matter (FPM), or PM2.5, directly protecting the cardiovascular health and cognitive development of the vulnerable populations these organizations serve. While the installation and subsidy process can be daunting, support programs like Cincinnati's Solarize NonProfits and nonprofits such as Re-volv and Catholic Energies are actively guiding local organizations, such as the Mission of Mary Cooperative and Brunner Literacy Center, to achieve substantial financial savings and environmental benefits.