Best Practices from Oblate Parishes
February 27th, 2011
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Laredo, TX
“Greens of Guadalupe”: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Laredo, Texas
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Laredo, Texas prides itself as a leader in promoting a healthy community environment. Greens of Guadalupe is a parish group at Our Lady of Guadalupe. The group is supported and led by members from the parish. Greens of Guadalupe at Our Lady of Guadalupe is an example of parish best practice organizing.
Greens of Guadalupe was formed in March 2007 after the late Fr. Darrell Rupiper OMI preached a workshop on integrity of creation to parishioners. The mission of the group is to protect, conserve and foster respect for earth’s natural resources by educating and guiding the people of Laraedo in order to create and preserve a healthy environment for future. The group’s slogan is PLANTING GREEN SEEDS.
The Greens of Guadalupe continue to meet on a monthly basis and have participated in several local environmental projects. The Greens of Guadalupe received a certificate of appreciation and nomination of a Texas Environmental Excellence Award from the Rio Grand International Study Center. Their work has been recognized by media and was featured in The Texas Observer and Laredo’s newspaper. The group advocated to the local city council about the issue of plastic bags polluting the environment, particularly our waterways.
Greens of Guadalupe is celebrating its 4th Anniversary in March 2011. The group has already started an educational project for young students at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School with presentation of the three “Rs” (Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle). The Greens of Guadalupe will offer the same workshop to their fellow parishioners and they plan to participate in the annual neighborhood clean up in Laredo. In the summer, the group organizes a “Green Seed of the Week” project for Laredo parishes. Weekly, the group sends emails to parish secretary to include a green tip (English and Spanish) in the church bulletin. [See the Eco-Tips section of this website.]
With the support from Oblates working in the parish, Greens of Guadalupe continue to raise parish awareness about the care and respect for the “Mother Earth” natural resources.
Follow up on Greens of Guadalupe, please email: gngolwe@omiusa.org
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