Holy Family Parish Emerton

On Sunday 12th of November 2023, Holy Family Parish Emerton, a Catholic church in western Sydney, received the Five Leaf Eco-Awards Basic Certificate and Eco Worship Awards – making them the fourth Catholic church in Australia to receive the awards to date.

The two awards acknowledge the many actions the church has taken, including establishing an environmental action group, installing solar panels, a water tank, draft sealing, worms and a native garden, including ecotheology quotes in their parish bulletin, holding sustainability workshops and education, including a Lenten carbon fast, participating in the Season of Creation and the launch of their Earth Ministry, using a Creation Eucharistic prayer and creating an environmental walk around the parish. 

Sue Martin, Ecology Project Officer with the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and chair of the Cattai Hills Environment Network, visited the church to present their award. She said, “It’s wonderful to see another Catholic parish earn one of these prestigious awards, and living out the spirit of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’.