Star of the Sea Province launches Buy A Tree Initiative
- maristbrothers
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Climate concerns are deeply real and urgent in the Star of the Sea Province.
Of the 11 countries that make up the Province, 10 are island nations - many of which are already feeling the ongoing and serious impacts of climate change. Ecological initiatives have long been a priority for the Province. In keeping with that vision, the Laudato Si’ Committee has launched a beautiful new initiative: Buy A Tree.
Read more from Jennifer Miller, Chair of the Star of the Sea Province Laudato Si’ Committee.
This year, our Marist theme is Pilgrims of Hope - and throughout our Province, we’re seeing green shoots of that hope.
In early 2024, Br Peter Carroll, Star of the Sea Provincial, shared a thought-provoking discussion paper with the Committee. It outlined our ecological responsibilities and invited us to consider how the Province, might reduce our carbon footprint. Among the eight proposals he offered, two stood out: first, the idea of placing a small levy on travel; and second, planting trees across our Province - from Mittagong to Marist communities across the 11 countries we serve.
In response, on behalf of the LSAC, I had the great pleasure, alongside Mark Pauschmann, Executive Director of Province Ministeries, of launching the Buy A Tree initiative, or BAT for short, at the recent Marist Association of Sta Marcellin National Assembly.
Envisioned by Br Peter, the Buy A Tree project invites both Marists and friends of the Marist family to contribute to tree planting efforts across our Province. While it's not a carbon offset scheme in the formal sense as no carbon credits are traded - it is a practical and hope-filled response to Pope Francis’ urgent call in Laudato Si’: to hear the cry of the Earth and to heal creation.
If you’d like to contribute, it’s easy.
Visit our Province website, click on Get Involved, then select the Buy a Tree initiative. There, you’ll find three giving options:
Buy 1 tree for $7.50 — ideal for a return domestic flight or car trip.
Buy 2 trees for $15 — for a return international flight.
Or, if you’re a frequent traveller, buy in bulk: 10 trees for $75.
Every contribution supports approved reforestation and regeneration projects across the Province. Sites receiving funds will provide twice-yearly reports - with updates and photos available on the Province website.
The climate emergency is the greatest challenge of our time. Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Please join us to care for creation, one trip at a time.
-Jenifer Miller,
Chair, Laudato Si Committee
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