Hello, my name is Jeni Miller, and I’m the Chair of the Laudato Si’ Action Committee for the Star of the Sea Province.

This year, as you know, 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 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, of launching the Buy A Tree initiative, or BAT for short, at the recent National Marist Association 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 at mariststar.org, 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.

Jeni Miller
Chair, Laudato Si’ Action Committee
Star of the Sea Province