2024 Sustainability Through Catholic Social Teaching Grant Recipients
12 November 2024 | Posted in Sustainability
2024 Sustainability Through Catholic Social Teaching Grant Recipients
Each year, schools are invited to apply for the TCE Sustainability Through Catholic Social Teaching Grant. It recognises the way in which the school responds to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ on caring for our common home through sustainable practices.
Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical’s subtitle “Care for our Common Home” reinforces these key themes.
Congratulations to the following schools who received a 2024 Sustainability Through Catholic Social Justice Teaching Grant:
St Mary's Catholic School, Bowen
Dignity Chest
This student-driven project will assist school families in need and focus on human dignity. It has a clear link to school Charism and authentic community partnerships.
St Francis Catholic School, Ayr
First Nations Garden
This project will actively engage local First Nations groups in the design and stewardship of the garden. It will highlight the rich heritage of First Nations plants and their traditional uses and showcase species that have sustained communities for generations.
St Anthony's Catholic College, Deeragun
Parish Pots
This project builds on the Micro Plastics Recycling project already implemented. It utilises many single-use bottle lids to create a sustainable and practical product. The 100% recycled plastic pots will be propagated with succulents and sold with profits distributed to St Anthony's Parish.
St Joseph's Catholic School, The Strand
Gardens in the Sky
A raised garden bed project identified by the student group Planet Warriors. The gardens will focus on sustainable food and environmentally friendly agricultural practices and teach students about the interconnectedness between humanity and the environment.
St Joseph's Catholic School, Mundingburra
Sustainable System
This project will involve developing a whole-school action plan on sustainable systems practised in the school. A focus will be on succession planning and collective efficacy to ensure sustainable practices are embedded now and in the future.
Each school will receive $2000 to assist with the costs for their 2025 project, and we look forward to seeing their projects come to fruition in 2025.
The Executive Director's Laudato Si' Award for 2024 has been awarded to St Mary's Catholic School, Bowen. They demonstrate embedded practices based on a deep understanding of the Laudato Si' goals, making authentic links between The Cry of the Earth and The Cry of the Poor. St Mary's has developed and is enacting its seven-year Laudato Si Action Plan 2023-2030. They also authentically engage with First Nations Traditional Owners, Ranger groups, and artists. Congratulations, St Mary’s!
TCE Sustainability Through Catholic Social Teaching Grant continues to honour and support the remarkable efforts of schools within the Townsville Diocese. These initiatives, inspired by Pope Francis' Laudato Si', not only demonstrate a profound commitment to sustainable practices but also exemplify a heartfelt response to the call for caring for our common home. Congratulations to all the 2024 grant recipients for their innovative and impactful projects. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the positive changes these initiatives will bring to their communities and the broader environment.
