Church on Fire returns with environmental lecture

The parish pastoral councils of Blessed Sacrament Church and St. Louis Church are pleased to announce that they will produce the Church on Fire series for 2024-2025. The lecture and concert series presents opportunities for the faithful to create positive moments of engagement, learning, reflection and inspiration as expressed through word, music and song.

The first lecture of the series will be given on Sunday, Sept. 22 at noon in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1029 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. P. Josh Wilson, sustainability director for Erie County Division of Environment and Planning, will present “A Greener Future for Erie County.”

In his lecture, Wilson will highlight how everyone can be involved; discuss concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and address both myths and true facts about climate change.

Wilson is Erie County’s first sustainability director, and since 2016 has headed up a group within the Department of Environment and Planning focused on the county’s actions to both mitigate and make the community more resilient to climate change, and also efforts to assure that the county has a healthy watershed. During his tenure the county developed its first internal operations Climate Action Plan, conducted a climate vulnerability assessment, released its Phase II Watershed Management Plan, and implemented many actions, resulting in the county receiving New York state’s highest level recognition in its Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities programs.

Currently, the team’s efforts center around conducting the Phase Watershed Management Plan, and implementing the county’s Community Climate Action Plan including rolling out the Erie County Low Income Program for Sustainable Energy (ECLIPSE) and working on initiatives to address extreme weather and climate resilience. Prior to his work at the county, Wilson was an environmental consultant for 15 years, including work as lead verifier for the California Climate Action Registry.

In his exhortation, “Laudate Deum,” Pope Francis encourages all people of good will to take actions to respond to the climate crisis that’s challenging the earth. Whether we want to admit it or not, our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren depend upon our stewardship of sister earth.

The new Church on Fire II series will once again feature lectures and concerts as well as educational programs, spiritual services, social events, and service programs. Michael Pitek, president of Blessed Sacrament’s Parish Council and longtime parishioner, is serving as producer for the 2024-2025 program. The parish extends an invitation to its friends and neighbors of all faiths and surrounding neighborhoods to gather together in order to “move forward” and celebrate the good and positive things the Church is doing today.

“I hope those who attend the events will take away some new perspectives and insights,” Pitek said. “I hope they will be moved, and that each person grows in some positive way that helps their life become a little richer.”

A reception will be held immediately following this free lecture. To RSVP for the lecture and reception, contact Michael Pitek at 716-480-8313 or Michael@thepitekgroup.com. A free-will offering is appreciated.

Free, off-street parking is available in the parking lot of the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo. Located at 1069 Delaware Ave. The lot can be entered from Delaware and Lexington Avenues and also from Linwood Avenue.