Integrating Ministry and Ecology in St. Louis

Through diverse ministries and mindful daily living, the Chaminade Marianist Community in St. Louis, MO, actively integrates environmental sustainability and social outreach to fulfill the goals of Laudato Si’ and the Global Compact on Education.

Our Chaminade Marianist Community has remained committed to sustainability and to the goals of Laudato Si' and the Global Compact on Education.

Five of our community members are actively engaged in a variety of ministries:  parish ministry, high school ministry, and administration ministry.  As a community, we are committed to recycling, LED lighting, reasonable heating and air-conditioning, and the care of our residence and surrounding property.  One of our members raises chickens, and so we rarely purchase eggs from the grocery store.  He also raises a variety of vegetables during the summer months for use at our evening meals.

Bro. Jim Eppy ministers at the high school. The school participates in several sustainability practices.  In Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, the Outreach Committee of our Parish Council identifies societal needs and helps to meet those needs, e.g.

• A blood drive twice a year

• A monthly Bridge Bread sale to support the homeless

• A Clean Out of the Chaminade Dorm at the end of the academic year, washing the linens, bedding, and clothing, and giving them to various charities

• Monthly donations of food, clothing, and monetary gifts to Guardian Angel Settlement

• Collection drives for food and clothing to Our Lady's Inn for unwed mothers

• Tutoring at St. Louis Catholic Academy

• Preparing sandwiches twice a month for St. Patrick's Center

• Distribution of unsold food from Panera Bread Company

  
  

The parish elementary school also conducts some food and clothing drives during the academic year.  They also have an annual collection to support a Marianist school in India.

Update sent by Fr. George Cerniglia, SM,

Director, Chaminade Marianist Community,

St. Louis, MO