Committee Members & Working Groups

Working Groups

Prayer Gardens

We are establishing intentional and reflective spaces outside for all members of the University community. Currently, we are in the process of creating three interfaith prayer gardens on West Campus in the already existing courtyards.

• Chris Petrosino
• Marie Hulme
• Maria Lizano-DiMare
• June-Ann Greeley
• Carmelo Cicero-Santalena
• Suzanne Christoferson
• Diana Veneri

Laudato Si’ Reading Group

This is an annual intellectual community on campus that will read Laudato Si’ in its entirety together throughout the academic year. This group meets once a month and is limited to 12 participants.

• Chelsea King
• June-Ann Greeley
• Jennifer McLaughlin

Recycling Initiative

This group is responsible for educating all members of the University in the importance of recycling on campus. We have successfully distributed red recycling bins throughout the campus and are communicating to the entire SHU community how to successfully recycle.

• Kathy Katts
• Brent Little
• Chelsea King

SHU Community Theatre 

Along with SHU Community Theatre (SCT) Director Matt Oestreicher, this group creates programming with Laudato Si’ themes for the SHU and external communities. The purpose of this group is to use this wonderful SHU facility to raise awareness of Laudato Si’. We are currently working on a program for spring 2025 that will coincide with Earth Day.

• June-Ann Greeley
• Chelsea King
• Deb Noack

Pollinator Gardens on West Campus 

The environmental club has been caring for a pollinator garden on West Campus, and we will continue to nurture this garden. Our plan is to place more pollinator gardens along a new walking path. We have received $1,000 from the Catholic Climate Covenant in support of this endeavor.

• Environmental Club – Carissa Weber ’26
• Diana Veneri
• Funda Alp

Grant Writing

This group’s primary goal is to find, write and secure grants that pertain to the Laudato Si’ initiative. One grant of $1,000 from the Catholic Climate Covenant has already been secured.

• Dave Loranger
• June-Ann Greeley
• Chelsea King
• Funda Alp

First 50 Days

This group, led by our student committee member, will organize an annual event for the First 50 Days to promote Laudato Si’ among our students.

• June-Ann Greeley
• Chelsea King
• Carissa Weber ’26

Net Zero Research 

This group is working on a plan on how SHU can move towards net zero. Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed or offset.

• Kathy Dhanda 
• Funda Alp

Earth Week at SHU 

Special programming for Earth Week in the spring semester will take place on campus and at the SHU Community Theatre in downtown Fairfield. 

• Brent Little
• Chelsea King
• Funda Alp
• Jennifer McLaughlin

Food Security

This group will address the concerns of some of our graduate student populations who are facing food insecurity. They will also tackle the issue of food waste on campus.

• Kathy Katts
• June-Ann Greeley
• Diana Veneri
• Deb Noack

Wellness Initiative

This group will focus on creative ways to address student mental health and Laudato Si.’ One of the ways we can do this is through activities that involve reflection, rest and contemplative activities in nature. The goal is to cultivate a sense of “presence,” combat the “technocratic paradigm” that emphasizes progress and production and to allow students to experience the healing effects of the natural world, thus creating a stronger relationship between themselves and all of God’s creation.

• Suzanne Christoferson
• Kathy Katts
• Chelsea King