Father Tom’s Energy
By Katie Kizer
Very few individuals like change. In fact, at times it is difficult to find people who will even accept it. Say you tell someone they must overhaul conventional wisdom for a new way of doing things, and that the reason is difficult to understand.
It’s easy to assume that people are not likely to respond well, except that this is how the solar issue is often framed.
Many doubt our need to consume more renewable energy, use less fossil fuels, stem the effects of global warming and lessen our dependence on foreign energy. Despite our natural fear of change, it has been and continues to be absolutely, unequivocally, and undeniably necessary to make this change happen.
The energy situation is becoming more and more dire. All of us must find a better way to stand on our own two feet, as Americans and as citizens of the world. Father Tom Kasputis realized this and took it into his own hands to do the unthinkable. He created environmental change at St. Rene School in Chicago.
Originally, Father Tom investigated the possibility of a solar roof along with the maintenance department at St. Rene, and discovered that it was just not the right time. The Archdiocese would not agree to the project quite yet, so he knew he would have to wait. Eventually, however, the political climate shifted and Father Tom knew it was time to revisit the project. After a few bumps in the road, he eventually discovered that they could apply for grants to supplement the cost.
And so, the enthusiasm began to grow.
“The school board and faculty became excited, and so the brainstorming began to figure out how to implement the solar energy into the science curriculum.” Father Tom told me that these six panels are just the beginning. Ideally, he would like to see all of the roofs covered with panels one day. He is well aware that this is going to be a step-by-step process, but his goals remain ambitious. After all, it was Father Tom’s persistence that gave the community surrounding St. Rene the little push it needed to dive headfirst into the green revolution.
“This project means not only learning within the classrooms but shaping the minds of the next generation to believe in this issue.” While I was pressing Father Tom about all the tedious issues relating to timeline and funding, he kept returning to the concern of our next generation. When asked what the one thing he would like to say for the record in regards to the installation at his school, the Pastor said “we must take steps to come up with even better solutions for the future.” He emphasized how this project will allow the children of the next generation to use their ideas and creativity to come up with these innovations. Just as we women have the generations before to thank for opening the door for our civil rights, the children of tomorrow will have those who stand with Father Tom to thank for the hard work required to truly implement renewable energies into these institutions. These activists have done the leg work and the convincing of those many skeptics; now all that we need to do as the next generation is execute and follow through. We can’t afford to wait.