Laudato Si Conversion Stories: Mary Rose LeBaron

This year as a result of my eco conversion prayers and reflections, I have joined a local climate action group that focuses on building electrification.  The local effort is directed at existing building infrastructure in the City of San Mateo and aims to facilitate a conversion to all electric by 2030.  As most cities do, San Mateo has infrastructure that relies on fossil fuels for heating and cooling.  The building infrastructure policy we are working for, will assist building owners to install heat pumps, electric or induction stoves, and electric water heaters instead of gas burning appliances that spew climate warming emissions.  

This advocacy work is a direct result of the hours I have spent studying and praying with the Laudato Si Circle at St. Ignatius Parish.   As a reward for my involvement, I have been given a front row seat to the fruits of the spirit in motion.  I have witnessed kindness, patience and generosity in these local climate action leaders and expanded my community beyond Laudato Si Circle.  Both the Circle leaders and the local climate leaders continuously show their faithfulness (its an interfaith group), their gentleness and their self-control even in the face of power tripping politicians.  

I feel truly blessed and I have faith that persistence in prayer and action will make some difference in global temperatures and the suffering of the poor and houseless.  Every degree matters when it comes to easing suffering of heat related illness and death and so I do not give up in striving for more collective action.   The global movement to heal ecosystems and break free from reliance on fossil fuels brings me hope.