On May 20-21 and 27-28, 2025, PEPULIH had the opportunity to share their experiences at the Jakarta Archdiocese Pastoral Meeting (KAJ) held at Via Renata, Ciloto (Bogor). This event was in preparation for the 2026 KAJ Basic Directions, themed "Integrity of Creation." As we know, 2026 also marks the culmination of the KAJ Basic Directions series (2022-2026), which focuses on the values of the Church's Social Teaching. PEPULIH's participation this year was special because it was the second time PEPULIH had been invited to share and interact directly with all priests serving throughout the KAJ, following the first time in 2006.
On this occasion, PEPULIH shared various experiences and insights gained during its 20 years as a categorical group in KAJ. PEPULIH's various activities include hundreds of environmental education sessions in schools, parishes, and community groups.
In their presentations, Mr. Bintang Nugroho, Mrs. Maria Wardhanie, and others emphasized the importance of a three-pronged approach to environmental education: school, church, and family. They also emphasized the crucial role of priests and parents in supporting children as agents of change in building a better world for us all. Priests, in particular, serve as role models for the congregation in their respective parishes.
On this event, PEPULIH also presented a booth decorated with a tent and beautiful lights, attracting the attention of priests from various parishes. The booth displayed various recycled and organic farming products. The priests enthusiastically purchased eco-enzyme pillows, organic soap, organic fertilizer, crafts made from recycled materials, and more. This booth provided a space for education and inspiration about sustainable lifestyles that Catholics can implement in their daily lives.
According to Mr. Bintang Nugroho, the booth's presence is not merely an exhibition, but part of the Church's ecological mission. "We want to convey the message that authentic faith does not stop at the altar, but is also evident in how we treat the earth as God's creation," he said.
With this activity, the KAJ Pastoral Gathering is not only a forum for collective formation and reflection, but also a concrete call to integrate ecological spirituality into our lives of faith — in order to build a Church that is relevant, environmentally friendly, and compassionate toward all creation.