Dear Editor: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart Green Teams were happy to read about the initiative that Bishop DiMarzio has undertaken to develop a 100 unit affordable senior housing with solar panels, sustainable technologies, rooftop gardens, and the use of environmentally sustainable materials in our own Brooklyn Diocese.

This plan was inspired by “Laudato Si’” by Pope Francis as well as by Jean Louis Tauran in his desire to promote interreligious dialogue and cooperation to promote the welfare of the poor.

This endeavor can promote future building nationally as well as internationally, and can be used as a model of cooperation between religious groups to aid the poor in building a better life for themselves.

I am proud of the Brooklyn Diocese, as it continues to promote the goals and values of the encyclical “Laudato Si’.” NET-TV has been having many shows about the environment and mother earth. There has been an increase in the number of articles that have reported new initiatives in parishes to further the vision of “Laudato Si’.” Several churches in Bayside have joined with Habitat for Humanity, building and refurbishing homes for our less fortunate neighbors in Queens. We hope that the rest of the Brooklyn Diocese might consider joining their vision.

From “Laudato Si’”: (201) The majority of people living on our planet profess to be believers. This should spur religions to dialogue among themselves for the sake of protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternity.

Let us continue to support our Brooklyn Diocese and all that it does to promote the goals of “Laudato Si’.”

JUDY TOLAN

Bayside

Judy Tolan is the Green Team Leader at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart churches in Bayside.