About the Center

The mission of the Catholic Conservation Center is to promote ecology, environmental justice, and the stewardship of creation in the light of sacred Scripture and living Tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. Our goal is to help bring about the ecological conversion called for by Pope John Paul II.

Today's secular conservation movement is critical to preserving the diversity of life on earth, including and especially our own lives and the lives of future generations. Yet, such an effort will succeed only with a parallel religious movement that fosters a change of heart, an inner conversion: a change that leads us to respect and care for creation and recognize the signs of God throughout the universe. In the words of Pope John Paul II, "If humankind is not at peace with God, then earth itself cannot be at peace..." The need for authentic disciples of Jesus Christ remains as urgent as ever.

Why does the Catholic Conservation Center website focus on Roman Catholic teaching, rather than taking an ecumenical or interfaith approach? We do so without denigrating any other Christian tradition or world religious tradition. The Center provides an opportunity for Catholics and all people of good will to learn about the Catholic tradition as it relates to ecology, environmental justice, and the stewardship of creation. The Center welcomes visitors from all faiths.

"All for you my Jesus, through Mary, for the love of Creation, Salvation, and Kingdom - for all eternity."

Director of the Catholic Conservation Center

Established in 2000, the Catholic Conservation Center began as a project of the Environmental Group of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Wading River, New York, USA. You are invited to visit the St. John's parish website at www.StJohntheBaptistChurch.org. The website site is managed by Bill Jacobs. Bill has a master of science degree in forest resources management from the State University of New York at Syracuse and has worked in the environmental conservation field for more than 15 years. Bill manages the center website as a volunteer in his spare time and has compiled the writings found here.

The Catholic Conservation Center is faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, the Pope and the Bishops in union with him. If you have reason to believe that information presented on this website is not faithful to the Church, please contact Bill Jacobs at billjacobs@catholic.org and we will make the necessary corrections.

This website is dedicated to Erin, Cara, and Willy; to their children, and to their children's children until the end of time.

"Being a champion in life demands the three Ds: discipline, dedication, and divine assistance."

Handwritten sign found on the wall of Blessed Mother Teresa's room:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; be successful anyway.

If you're honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous; be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give your best anyway.

For you see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Adapted from The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith (1968)

Mission

Director of the Catholic Conservation Center