Preserving water in Poland.

By Anna Brzezińska-Hemperek
Laudato Si’ Animator in Poland

At St. John the Baptist in Poręba in Nowy Sącz, Poland, the concern for ecology is not only a beautiful motto; it is a way of life.

Through contemplation, we see water and other resources as more than just necessities for living; we see them as life-giving gifts from God that we should preserve and value.

On the recent St. Francis Sunday, leaflets with information about how to protect our resources, especially water, were distributed in the chapel in Poręba Mała.

The parishioners of the Caritas parish team, which also undertakes pro-ecological activities, also distributed aerators for water. A large rainwater reservoir was placed by the chapel itself, thanks to Caritas’ cooperation with the Global Catholic Climate Movement.

The goal of these activities is to implement practical changes in the functioning of the parish. As Christians we are called to protect our common home and to use it responsibly, says Fr. Janusz Michalik, our parish priest.

We promoted the “My Water” [governmental] program in the parish, which is only for households.

Our pastor also wanted to install a reservoir by the chapel for practical reasons, including the water problems in the district, as well as to set an example of a simple solution that others can easily adapt.

The idea was positively received, and the water is used on an ongoing basis.