Care for All Creation: Q & A with Sue DiTullio

As an Associate in mission with the Sisters of Charity, and administrative assistant for the Associates and earthConnection, Sue DiTullio shares a commitment to the mission and spirit of the SC Community.

Can you talk a bit about your interest in caring for the earth? Where does this come from? Is it something you’ve always been mindful of, or did the awareness begin after meeting the Sisters of Charity?

I think it is essential to be mindful of our earth and how we can, as an individual, make a difference. I don’t think I always thought about it as I do now. Working with the Sisters and some Associates has made me more aware of the issues with our earth, but they also remind me how beautiful our earth is.

Talk about a couple of the initiatives you started at earthConnection (eC).

Sisters Cj Willie, Winnie Brubach and I work as a team, so we are always talking about how we can continue the mission of eC and what S. Paula Gonzalez started many years ago. We want to showcase how doing simple things can make a difference. The Caps to Benches project is a perfect example. We have kept over a ton of caps and lids from the landfill and created three benches and two picnic tables from what we collected.

one of the newer ideas is enhancing the grounds at eC. We want to create areas where others can see how using recycled material in their garden or house is doable. We have cleaned up the gardens around eC with native plants and created a tire garden filled with seasonal plants. The tires were from S. Winnie’s car. We are also working on a trail in the woods behind eC for visitors or the community.

Your work includes programming for Girl Scouts and educating them about caring for all creation.

Can you elaborate on the importance of providing this type of education at such an early age?

earthConnection is a learning center about living lightly on this earth. We must engage the young kids. As they learn to respect and appreciate the earth, we will benefit. And to learn, they have to experience or observe how they can help create a better place for themselves and others. The programs offered through the Girl Scouts of Western ohio perfectly match the programs at eC.

We help the troops fulfill the various environmental badges, but they are also introduced to the eC building and why it is so unique. If they are not there for a badge, they will get information on ways they can help the environment. once completed, they receive an eC patch to put on their sash. I have to say, when I saw the eC patch on the sash, I was pretty proud of what we are doing.

What/who inspires you?

All the Sisters and Associates inspire me. I have seen the passion of the Sisters most of my life as I had them in grade school and high school. S. louise Akers was a great mentor to have. Her compassion for those living on the margins made me more aware of the struggles that others have. She taught me and introduced me to issues I didn’t think about, like the wealth gap, human trafficking, violence against women, and much more. She took on that social responsibility and highlighted for us that we have an obligation to each other. And now, working with Sisters Cj and Winnie has brought me to environmental justice. I have learned so much about local issues and the many global problems that our world faces. And even if it would be easier not to know about the world’s struggles, the Sisters refuse to hide and try to bring out the issues. They do a great job of reminding us that earth is worth saving.

For the full article, please visit our website at www. srcharitycinti.org. For more information about the programs and opportunities offered through earthConnection, please visit https://www.scearthconnection.org.