St. John Vianney Parish launches its Laudato Si’ Plan

By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger

BETTENDORF — Responding to Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’’ (On Care for Our Common Home), St. John Vianney Parish has adopted a Laudato Si’ Action Plan to build on parishioners’ relationship with God, each other and all of God’s creation.

St. John Vianney may be the first parish in the Diocese of Davenport to submit its multifaceted, seven-year plan to the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform. The Davenport Diocese submitted its Laudato Si’ Action Plan on the Memorial of  St. Francis of Assisi in October 2022, hoping to inspire parishes and other entities to do the same. The Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton and the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Davenport previously submitted their own Laudato Si’ Action Plans to the Vatican platform.

“It is exciting to see St. John Vianney Parish establish a Laudato Si’ Action Plan and review progress every year during Laudato Si’ Week,” said Deacon Kent Ferris, who oversees the Davenport Diocese’s action plan. “We are aware of one other parish that is developing an action plan. The diocesan action plan (davenportdiocese.org/care-for-creation) includes goals to encourage parishes, families and individuals to pray, learn and act in caring for Creation. It is exciting to see the seeds of care sprouting!”

The Social Justice Committee of St. John Vianney Parish began developing its Laudato Si’ Action Plan last September. “People volunteered to write a draft for each of the seven planks, then, throughout the year, drafts were presented and discussed and revised,” said Allison Ambrose, who chairs the Social Justice Committee.

“The ‘plank’ groups were told of the diocesan plan,” Ambrose said. “I’m not sure how people used it, but I know I did. We also had various parish plans (from the Vatican’s platform) that we handed out as guides.”

In writing the St. John Vianney plan, the committee “took an inventory of things we were already doing; it was neat to see all of that pulled together,” Ambrose said. “There are some really great ideas for actions in the plan. If various groups and ministries take on some of these, the results could be amazing.”

“I’m excited to see people becoming more open to making necessary changes,” said Social Justice Committee member Jean Lipinski. “For example, finding new ways to have fundraising events and parish activities that are more environmentally friendly by using compostable, biodegradable or reusable supplies. The way we plan and hold events is more sustainable. We are changing our culture and the relationship we have with our common home; the earth.”

She and her husband, Les, who is also on the committee, are excited about the use of native plants in the landscaping for St. Joan of Arc Catholic School. The school is under construction in northeast Bettendorf to serve St. John Vianney and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf.

“The city of Bettendorf requires the planting of 267 trees on the 30 acres where the new school will be located,” the Lipinskis said. “A native plant expert worked with our landscaping firm in choosing native trees and native plantings that will preserve biodiversity and support wildlife. They will also be available after the school is open to provide workshops and possibly an outdoor classroom.”

The Social Justice Committee submitted the St. John Vianney Laudato Si’ Plan to the parish council in May, which approved it. The plan is available on the parish website (https://tinyurl.com/

x9javmv3) and has been submitted to the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform.

Ambrose describes the St. John Vianney Laudato Si’ Plan as a ‘“bubble up’ plan. Thus, encouraging various groups and ministries to look at the actions and to see what they can do, is the approach for implementation. Communicating this and promoting the plan, as something for parishioners to think about continually, will be a challenge. We are relying on the good will of the people to carry it out.”

“The social justice committee members worked together well to draft each part, and then pull them all together,” Deacon Steve Barton said. “We had good discussions on each part, what the initiatives would involve and where they could lead. When we presented the plan, our pastor, Father Rich Adam, and the parish council members were very supportive. That support will help to encourage implementation by the various parish committees.”

Ambrose anticipates little added cost implementing the plan. “A lot of ideas are changes of habits that people and groups can make,” she said. “There is a slightly higher cost associated with using greener, compostable items in our kitchen and at our activities,” Jean Lipinski said.

However, “with the support of Father Adam and the parish and finance councils it was decided that the benefit outweighs the cost. For fundraising events, we have not found that the higher cost affected our profits significantly,” Jean Lipinski continued. “The installation of water bottle filling stations was an investment approved by the finance council as an important step in reducing the use of plastic water bottles. These stations will continue to provide benefits with little added cost.”

Moving forward, “Our hope is to every year, during Laudato Si’ week in May, to take an inventory from groups and ministries of what they have accomplished,” Ambrose said. “Communication with the groups and ministries will be key and constant reminders.”