Large-Scale Breakout Sessions

Saturday, 11/3, 8:20-9:10 PM

Action for Climate Justice: #CatholicsAreStillIn

Panel Description: In the absence of environmental and climate leadership from the U.S. Trump Administration, Catholics and Jesuit institutions are continuing to call for strong climate action and policy to address climate change. Jesuit institutions are taking a holistic approach in their commitment to climate action: making conscious energy choices to move toward renewable energy and sustainability, examining their investments and choosing to divest from fossil fuels, and connecting ecological justice to mission and teaching.

Panelists Include

Anne Marie Jackson

Director, Jesuit Forum

Anne-Marie was born and raised in England. She studied languages and worked in the arts. She gained extensive experience as a leader of global justice education and action, working with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace as regional facilitator, program coordinator and then director. She led numerous groups on visits and delegations to partners in the Global South. Anne-Marie joined the Jesuit Forum in 2007.

Mary King

Theology Teacher, Cheverus High School

Mary King’s colleagues would call her a hard-working, thoughtful, and creative theology teacher at Cheverus High School. Having gone on a service immersion to Haiti with her church, King returned home inspired to try and educate her community about the systems and structures that perpetuate the poverty in Haiti and in the world. In addition, King is an initiator of the Ignatian Carbon Challenge and the creator of the immigration immersion program and so many other initiatives and programs at Cheverus High School.

Marisa Vertrees

Campaigns Manager, Global Catholic Climate Movement

Marisa Vertrees is the Campaigns Director. She was the Social Justice Director at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, where she also assisted the Peace and Justice Commission of the Arlington Diocese. After that, she was an organizer with the U.S. faith community for the ONE Campaign, a global anti-poverty organization. She is passionate about engaging people in social justice and care for creation, and brings over 12 years of organizing work and ministry to the organization. She lives just outside Washington, D.C. with her husband and three children.