A different kind of mission

By Kerry Lester
CONTRIBUTOR

Father Darrell Rupiper is on a mission. To save the earth, that is.

The OMI priest who resides in Hyde Park heard a wake-up call 16 years ago, “when Pope John Paul II warned that unless we change our ways we stand in danger of disappearing from the face of the earth,” he said.

Feeling that the pope’s advice was largely unheeded, Rupiper began offering Eco-Missions: retreats, workshops and talks designed to be spiritual, informational and consciousness-raising events that serve as springboards to action. Over the past three years, he has given 45 talks in Chicago-area parishes.

The theme of Rupiper’s talks is “growing our souls and saving the planet,” he said.

“St. Thomas Aquinas said that nature is the first place that God manifests himself,” Rupiper said. “However, we have become so disconnected [from nature], especially our youths.”

Raised on an Iowa farm, Rupiper spent his childhood immersed in nature.

However, “these days, many children couldn’t name five different kinds of trees—but they can name about 50 different corporate logos,” he said.

Rupiper, who is fluent in English and Spanish, spends three weeks at each parish, preaching at all of its liturgies and offering two evening talks.

Topics include “Heaven and Earth are Full of Your Glory: Creation as the Sacrament of God’s Presence,” “Finding Our True Place in an Unfolding Universe, Finding God in the Sacred,” the “Taken for Granted and the Profaned: Attitudinal Changes we needed to Save our Planet,” and a final organizational meeting entitled: “Where do we go from here?”

On the second weekend of his visit, each parish household receives a list of 27 practical earth-care suggestions. Turning off lights and televisions, taking showers instead of baths, and using both sides of sheets of paper are all ways “to be more conscious of the consequences of our own actions,” he said

By changing just one light bulb to a fluorescent compact bulb “saves a household maybe $50-60 and eliminates the burning of 500 pounds of coal,” he said.

On the third weekend parishioners are asked to make a written commitment stating what action they are promising to take.

“A key component of the eco-missions is a final organizational meeting,” Rupiper said. Working together in groups, parishioners brainstorm ideas for preserving healthy qualities of life. Each group then designates a person who remains in contact with Rupiper over the coming months. “I stay in touch to give them resources and advice,” he said.

Three years into his “eco-mission”, Rupiper is seeing some positive changes. “I feel as if there is more receptivity on the part of both pastors and parishioners in terms of scientific reports, pointing out global warming, etc. and the challenges we face,” he said.



For further information, email Father Rupiper at [email protected]









Questions:



How did you become interested in Ecology?

Because of pope john paul’s warneing to a great extent 16 years ago—unless we change our ways that we stand the danger of disappearing from face of the earth



And I’m naturally interested in nature

Raised on an Iowa farm

Also father Thomas berry cp passionase priest

Missing the boat in my protesting at nuclear weapons



Im living in hyde park,

I was on the near west side for 10years at precious blood parish



When was your first talk?

About 3 years ago, and 45 different parishes





Have you seen them becoming more and more popular?

There are more and more

This next year I will have covered most of the oblate parishes

And if I can stick around the Chicago area, helpful to reach out to

Holy Rosary, South side



How have the talks changed over the years?

I think I’m more I feel as if theres more receptiviy on the part of both pastors and parishioners in terms of scientific reports—pointing out global warming and the challenges we face



I think we have to wake up to the dangers that confront us, be very realistic

I think we must wake up to god’s presence in all of creation

I’m remembering that st.tomas Aquinas said that that is the first place that God manifests himself

We have become so disconnected from nature,especially true of our youth

Probably not mention 5 trees, but can 50 different logos of corporations

We must come home to our home

We must find our true place in the earth community,

Recognizing that the earth is primary, we are secondary



Practical—wather the most precious endangered element on our planet

Now we’re sending our young men and women to fight for oil

Already wars water

Being conscious to the gift water is practical

turning off lights, tvs, being very conscious,

changing one lightbulb to a fluorescent compact bulb saves maybe 50-60 dollars of one bulb and eliminates the buring of 500 pounds of coal

becoming conscious of the consequences of our own activities



I used both sides of paper at all times,



What is the most vital ecological issue to address?

Global warming at this point..any number of scientists are saying that allof our glaciers may be gone by the end ofthsi centurym maybe sooner



Tell me a little bit more about the specifics of your talks. Do you talk about hands-on ways to better the earth?





Preaching for 3 days straight at a parish must be exhausting…

10 masses

fluent in both Spanish and English

mention that it is attractive to pastors to have a rest



Tell me about the list of earth care suggestions?



You say that one member of the groups who brainstorm at the end of the session keeps in contact with you. Tell me what happens from here?



Well they continue having their meetings, twice a month, etc. and they carry on,

And I’m there for resources, counsel



Is it still 44 parishes that you have spoken at to-date?





An “Eco-Mission”

Changing weather patterns as well as scientific reports and predictions call our attention to global warming and possible disastrous consequences. Human behavior is the primary contributing factor to the damage that is both occurring and threatening the future well being of our home, the Earth.

In response to the wake-up call issued by both religious and secular sections I have been offering Eco-Missions, retreats, workshops and talks. Each is designed to be a spiritual, informational and consciousness-raising event that serves as a springboard to action.

To date I have given Eco-Missions in 44 parishes. The theme has been ‘growing our souls and saving our planet’…

I focus on the positive, attempting evoke a sense of awe, wonder, reverence and gratitude reminding us that ‘Heaven and earth are full of God’s glory’! I am convinced that we will not save that which we do not cherish.

I reminded the listeners that St. Thomas Aquinas said that the presence of God is revealed first and foremost in and through creation. Our radical disconnect from nature today is a major cause of damage to our environment.

The mission is uncharacteristically lengthy. I am in a parish for a total of approximately 18 days preaching at all of the liturgies for three consecutive weekends.

On the second weekend each household receives a list of 27 Earth-Care suggestions…practical ideas that can be used to care for the web of life that sustains us. On the third weekend each person present is asked to make a written commitment stating what action he/she or family is promising to take.

Those commitment sheets are held high at the Offertory as the celebrant leads the congregation in a prayer.

During the week I offer two evening sessions (English or Spanish).

Leadership, especially CCD teachers are urged to attend these sessions to increase their understanding of the subject matter enabling them to pass it on to others.

A key component of these Eco-Missions is a final organizational meeting for those who want to learn more and who will work together in trying to preserve a healthy quality of life for future generations. At this meeting, possible activities are brain-stormed and a folder of resources is let with the group. Each group designates a person who will remain in contact with myself.

[email protected]