Saving the environment, parish resources

The Catholic Review (Sept. 11) showed Father Syracuse holding a compact fluorescent light bulb. That may have been the single best photo you’ve run all year to help struggling parishes meet their needs and serve their people. As your editorial (Sept. 25) said, “we can’t afford it” is heard much too often. Despite the somewhat flamboyant way they put it, a promotion (www.energystar.gov/changetheworld) from the Environmental Protection Agency is genuine and valid. Their calculations are correct and their numbers are accurate. There is a huge amount of money to be saved, via simple energy-conservation measures. Churches in particular should be attentive, since donations are down in these uncertain economic times. It would be a shame if people forget about all the other things they mention, besides light bulbs. I encourage you to continue to promote energy conservation.