Friars at St. Mary’s Church are taking on rap to warn of the dangers fracking can cause to the environment.

The church’s Social Justice Ministry published the website earthactions.org on Sept. 22 to highlight the many environmental issues it has been involved with over the years.

The church’s pastor, Father Frank Sevola, got involved to help with the rollout of the website by participating in a humorous hip-hop video featured on the website’s front page.

The rap is called “Stop Fracking Now.” The video starts off with a musical arrangement that’s from the middle ages with a voice chanting, “Stop fracking now.” At the sound of an album scratch, the musical rhythm changes to a hip-hop groove and Father Frank begins rapping, “Fracking is a lot like crack-cocaine, it’s bad for the water and bad for the brain…”

Social Justice Ministry Director Jackie Schramm said the video was produced this way because they want to purvey their message in a humorous way that people of all ages will enjoy and remember.

The website contains information on climate change, the impacts of using Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in food, protecting the environment, the dangers of fracking, and information on how people can stay involved.

The Social Justice Ministry first formed in 2006 and focused on climate change, and featured former Vice President Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” The group began to focus on fracking in 2011.

Since 2006 the Social Justice Ministry has seen some successes in its work.

“We have helped inform communities about fracking, pipelines, and climate change,” said Schramm.

She added that its members “have been instrumental in getting local towns in northern New Jersey to pass resolutions against a proposed Pilgrim Pipeline.”

The September release of the website was well-timed with Pope Francis’ visit to the area. During his speeches, Pope Francis talked about climate change and how important it is to protect the earth.

Schramm said, “His new encyclical speaks eloquently about the interconnectedness of the problems of climate change. He also speaks about how we can solve the problems by working as one human family if we act now as one voice in unison to bring our planet and ourselves back into balance, but it will take everyone and it will require a change of heart and a change of lifestyle for many.”

Schramm said the pope’s position on climate change “is exactly our position in our website. We are hopeful but it will require everyone to step up to the plate.”

The Social Justice Ministry plans to produce more informational videos and keep the website updated with current information.

The ministry also plans to work with other groups to lobby “on issues such as fracked waste and GMOs,” said Schramm.