Sowing Hope for the Planet

By S. Caroljean Willie

At the end of 2022, the earth Justice Circle completed its work on the laudato Si’ Action Platform. The plan follows the framework of other congregations listing not only what the Community has committed to do, but also what the Community has already done. The commitments flow out of the activity we did at the Spring Forum. The committee asks Sisters to engage in those that are possible for them and plans to send out ideas and suggestions for engagement periodically. The following is what was submitted to the Sowing Hope for the Planet website.

laudato Si’ Goals Recent and/or ongoing Actions:

• S. Pat Hayden, SC president, officially enrolled the congregation in the laudato Si’ Action Platform and received a confirmation letter certifying our enrollment.

• On April 24, 2022, at our congregational forum, a presentation was given by S. Caroljean Willie, our lSAP liaison, on the laudato Si’ Action Platform. The presentation was followed by an activity where four Sisters at each table were given a sheet of newsprint with one of the goals at the top. each of the more than 30 groups were asked to list what the congregation was already doing pertaining to the goal and what more we could be doing. This information was collated and sent to congregational leadership and the members of the laudato Si’ Committee for further analysis and as a tool for formulating our goals.

• A rosary on the ecological sorrowful mysteries was held in the motherhouse chapel. other ecological joyful and glorious mysteries will follow.

• On Oct. 2, 2022 our new ministry center, La Casa del Sol, was dedicated. This building employs both geothermal and solar energies and is 100 percent net zero.

• Several Sisters took the initiative to do video interviews with the international workers at our nursing facility, mother margaret Hall, about the realities of climate change in their home countries. our Communications office edited the videos and is making them available weekly on our SC website. They will continue with video interviews with people from the u.S. as well.

• During the Season of Creation daily photo reflections were offered to Sisters and Associates.

• On Pentecost a reflection page on Care of Earth incorporating quotes from laudato Si’ and our own documents was made available to Sisters for reflection. Sisters and Associates are encouraged to reflect on the paper and participate either in small groups or via Zoom to share. laudato Si’ Action Plan Commitments:

• Hold an open house at La Casa del Sol Ministry Center for local civic communities.

• Suggest that the Community hold Meatless Mondays (or commit to another day of the week not to eat meat).

• Provide education for Sisters on environmental topics including why moving to a plant-based diet is healthier for the planet and ecospirituality.

• Provide advocacy efforts regarding pending legislation on environmental issues.

• Integrate ecospirituality into all of the initiatives we choose to take.

• Continue video interviews with employees about climate change.

• Provide photo reflections on Laudato Si’ for Advent and Lent.

• Explore the possibility of using some of our land for community gardens or an orchard project.

• Provide reflection sheets on LSAP goals and our SC Charism/Vision statements.