Uniting Neighbor to Neighbor

Uniting Neighbor to Neighbor is a space in our SSJ communications where we lift up our collective efforts to support democracy and justice with gospel-rooted clarity, faithfully and persistently. Together, as neighbors united in mission, we continue preparing our hearts and hands — waiting in hope — for the Spirit to move through us in response to the needs of our time.

Here comes the fall! Many of us think it’s the most beautiful time of year. So what better time to give thanks and praise? There will be many opportunities to engage during the Season of Creation which runs from September 1, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, though Sunday, October 4 which is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Several parishes are offering prayer services, including St. Monica (flyer below) and St. Theodore where Fr. David Tedesche will celebrate the new Mass for Creation at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 1, at the church, and a Season of Creation prayer service on Sept. 13, at 1:30 p.m. on the shore of Lake Ontario at Braddock Bay Marina.

Also important this fall—participating in the democratic process by voting! Check out the webinar offering below.

Also important this fall—participating in the democratic process by voting! Check out the webinar offering below.

Many of us want to DO something. Here is a great place to find ideas from NETWORK.

For years, Atlas Holdings has used the Greenidge generation plant in Dresden NY to mine bitcoin on Seneca Lake. Neighbors of the plant have long complained that the facility, with more than 20,000 continuously operating computers, threatens the environmental health of the region. Just one example—before the plant began crypto-mining, its annual carbon emissions were about 160,000 tons. Once mining began, emissions more than doubled to 400,000 and then 500,000 tons. In 2022, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), ruled that the plant did not comply with New York’s climate law requiring emissions reductions. The company filed suit and continued to operate.

Now Greenidge has changed its name to Vulcan Infrastructure and Power Inc., and plans to operate a data center at the site instead. They have asked for an additional 200 megawatts of energy from the grid—enough to power 150,000 homes. Learn more here: www.wxxinews.org/upstate-ny-crypto-mine-seeks-to-become-data-center. Or here: www.democratandchronicle.com/geneva-ai-data-center-greenidge-

The community is concerned, to say the least.

The governor signed an executive order imposing a moratorium on data centers which is a good start. But we need something stronger. The New York State Legislature has already passed the Responsible Data Center Development Act — all that stands between this bill and law is Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. Consider signing a petition asking the governor to take this important step.

When climate change caused a huge chunk of a melting glacier in the Himalayas to collapse, catastrophic floods swept through communities Nepal and parts of Tibet. The result was widespread devastation as the raging water swept away homes, livelihoods and critical infrastructure. Catholic Relief Services is working with local partners to support affected communities. You can support their efforts by making a donation here: www.crs.org/donate/nepal-flood.

  Prayer for Nepal

Loving God,
Draw near to the people of Nepal in this time of fear and loss.
Receive into your mercy all who have died,
and surround those still waiting for news about their loved ones with your steady presence.
In the silence after the rushing water, be present to every family facing loss, every community clearing a path
forward and every person wondering what comes next.
May we respond with compassion, generosity and courage, trusting that your love does not abandon your people
in their time of need.
Amen