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"Nothing is going to change unless we make an effort to change," said Sister Linda Hogan, CSJ, parish life director at St. Cecilia's parish in Warrensburg.

The parish has started using energy-efficient lightbulbs in its buildings, an effort to "go green" to benefit both the environment and its bank account.

Many Catholic-owned buildings around the Albany Diocese are pursuing more environmentally-friendly practices. Noel Olsen, director of the diocesan Office of Real Property, noted that grants are available through New York State as incentives to install energy-efficient bulbs and appliances.

The state's Energy Research and Development Authority offers aid toward the cost of energy-efficient installations -- even solar panels and wind turbines, in addition to renewable and environmentally-friendly products.

St. Jude the Apostle parish and school in Wynantskill took advantage of a similar program during some recent capital projects.

"In the school, we are changing the bulbs in the gym to LED," said Lindo Signorelli, chair of buildings and grounds for St. Jude. The school's classrooms and corridors and the church are also getting T-8 bulbs, which claim to be the most efficient fluorescent bulbs on the market.

"The cost is about $300 a bulb," said Mr. Signorelli, "but they last 25 years."

The switch is cutting the parish and school's energy bill in half, in terms of electricity consumption.

St. Jude is also looking at installing better insulated doors and windows in the school, which will reduce winter heating bills. An energy-efficient boiler already in place is saving the school about 50 percent over previous energy costs.

Aside from lower bills, low energy use makes the improvements good for the environment, as well.

That, Sister Linda noted, is one of the main objectives of the switch to energy-efficient lightbulbs at St. Cecilia's. For years, the parish has been promoting clean energy, as well as efforts such as reusing and recycling.

"We have just tried to remain conscious," the PLD said. The parish has sponsored talks on clean energy and often has blurbs in the bulletins about recycling efforts.

"If people in the community understand how important going green is, then change is going to happen faster," Sister Linda concluded.[[In-content Ad]]

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