EarthConnection hosted the Cincinnati Vincentian Volunteers in June. Volunteers learned more about environmental sustainability and helped in the EC garden.
Journeying Toward a Better Future By S. Caroljean Willie
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limate change is in the news every day as people throughout the world are experiencing its negative effects in multiple ways: stronger storms, droughts, flooding, fires, biodiversity degradation, rainforest destruction and more. For many years there have been voices among environmentalists and the science community who spoke out about the danger climate change would cause to the sustainability of life on planet Earth. Now, however, corporations and the business community have added their voices to the concerns – and governments are listening. The realization that climate change is not something that is going to happen in the distant future, but is already on our doorstep is galvanizing world leaders to seek a collective response. While a collective response among world leaders is essential, equally as important are the actions taken by ordinary citizens at the local level in rural and urban communities across the globe. EarthConnection (EC) strives to provide an overview of what is happening at the international level, but also to educate people at the local level as it remains faithful to its mission to serve as a center for learning and reflection about living lightly on Earth while seeking to integrate spirituality and sustainability with an understanding of the interconnectedness of all of Creation. Although we were unable to host in-person gatherings due to the pandemic, we did provide bi-monthly webinars via Zoom. One of the advantages of the Zoom meetings was that speakers from other countries were able to share their expertise with our audience. Recent topics included two sessions by S. Maureen Wild, SC (Halifax) from Gabriola Island, Canada, entitled “Sacred Pathways to Earth Healing: From Cosmic Grace and Guidance to Personal Choice”; a session by S. Gertie Jocksch, SC (Halifax) from the Earth Literacy Center on Vancouver Island, Canada, on “Understanding and Appreciating Your Bioregion”; and a session by S. Colette Kane, OP, from Wicklow, Ireland on “New Cosmology through a Celtic Lens.” As we begin to look at in-person programming again, we plan to continue occasional Zoom webinars with speakers who can bring an international perspective to sustainability issues. In the last issue of Intercom I wrote about the international efforts to bring forth a moral voice among the world’s faith traditions to create a more sustainable and equitable future 16
for all. Here I would like to introduce the Laudato Si’ Action Platform based on Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’. The platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will.” This is a seven-year project which aims to take a ground-up approach rooted in the strengths and realities of communities throughout the world. It is designed to empower people to take “decisive action, here and now as we journey together toward a better future” (LS 161). EC will take an active role in promoting participation in the Laudato Si’ planning process which will begin officially on the Feast of St. Francis, Oct. 4. In the meantime, consider reading a portion of Laudato Si’ daily (available online at www.vatican.va/content/ francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_ enciclica-laudato-si.html). Plastic pollution is a source of incredible pollution both on land and sea. In July, EarthConnection, as a member of Green Umbrella and their impact team on Faith Communities Go Green, offered several options for interested parties to become involved in the effort to reduce plastic pollution. This included the opportunity to join our team, Cincinnati Area Faith Communities Go Green, and the worldwide movement to reduce the use of “Single Use Plastics” as part of the Plastic Free Eco Challenge from July 1-31. EC also hosted a Faith Community Go Green webinar on July 29. EC is gradually opening to host in-person events. We recently hosted the Cincinnati Vincentian Volunteers for a morning where they learned about environmental sustainability and helped out in the garden. Other events included presentations (some in-person, some via Zoom) by S. Caroljean (Cj) Willie for the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, the Oldenburg Franciscans, St. Mary parish in Hyde Park, the Cincinnati chapter of the Climate Reality Project, a Girl Scout troop in Cincinnati and three Girl Scout troops in New Jersey. S. Winnie Brubach and the “Garden Ladies” have planted multiple crops in their more than 20 raised beds in EC’s organic garden. They recently harvested their first crop of kale for distribution to the clients of the Good Samaritan Free Health Center in Price Hill. I n te r com
