- July 12, 2023 Ecojustice, Sister Stories
Abundance on Villa Showcases Sustainability Efforts
Care for creation is a part of the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. “We are increasingly aware of the crisis of earth which impacts the plight of every dear neighbor, especially the most vulnerable,” says Sister Amy Hereford. She takes this responsibility seriously and in 2013, helped found the Religious Life Project to help enhance sustainability.
The Religious Life Project is dedicated to supporting younger Catholic sisters and brothers as they initiate projects to enhance sustainability in religious life and in the ecosystem. In 2015, the organization began the Abundance on Villa project. Abundance on Villa, a house located in the St. Louis Dogtown Ecovillage, is an intercommunity house of Catholic sisters collaborating to live more sustainably. Sister Amy has lived in the Abundance on Villa house full-time since the project began. Over the years, she has welcomed housemates from various religious communities. The home's backyard garden, with over 150 native, perennial and edible plant species, was featured in this year’s “Sustainable Backyard Tour” in St. Louis.
Community and gardening were the focal points of the house until 2021, when Abundance on Villa began researching a switch to solar energy. The goal was to run completely off solar power and as a demonstration project in reducing carbon footprints. In 2022, natural gas heating and appliances were converted to electric and the gas was turned off. After the conversion to electric, the project turned its focus to installing rooftop solar panels.
Step one of the solar installation process was replacing the existing roof which was over 20 years old. The solar panels were then installed and turned on in June 2023. The Abundance on Villa Solar Project had reduced its energy usage by 50% and thanks to the newly installed solar panels, they expect to reduce their carbon footprint by 90% as compared with the national average. Sr. Amy also drives an electric vehicle which she often charges directly from the solar panels.
Society didn’t become dependent on fossil fuels overnight. Converting to more sustainable energy sources will take time, but small steps can bring about change. The success of the Abundance on Villa will have lasting impacts. Those living in the house will be immediately impacted through the use of solar energy and conversion away from natural gas. And more broadly, the success of the house will help inspire others. It will help educate and inspire the dear neighbor about sustainable energy practices and demonstrate how they can successfully implement these initiatives into their own homes and lives.