After five years of Laudato Si’, Sisters see environmental work to do threatens our commitment to: protect human life ive years ago, Pope Francis urged “every person and dignity, exercise a living on this planet” to engage in a dialogue preferential option for the Maintenance worker Bryan about the role each of us plays in shaping Padgett pours used cooking most vulnerable, promote into a receptacle to the future of the earth. His encyclical was called the common good, and care oil recycle. The Mount kitchen “Laudato Si’: Care for Our Common Home.” for God’s creation,” the recycles oil and liquids used His words were met with great affection by the letter said. The Ursuline in the cleanup of dishes. Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, who have Sisters received criticism made caring for the earth a staple of their spirituality from some of their since they began in their rural home in 1874. Now supporters over taking that stand. that the newness of Laudato Si’ has worn away, the “When we write letters like that, we want people Sisters see more work to do. to know that we not only care about our own area, “I believe Pope Francis has attempted but we are a part of the whole global to unify all the social teachings into The Sisters believe they community,” said Sister Amelia Stenger, one articulated whole – in so many have an important role congregational leader. “We believe that all ways he calls us to recognize the global people share this planet and each one of relationship among people, all creation, to play in teaching people us must do our part to take care of it. It is and how we treat each other and each that spirituality is a part so important for the people of the United component in creation,” Sister Sharon of protecting the earth. States to have a part in decisions that are Sullivan said. “Economics, health care, made globally because the decisions that are education, justice, development and politics are all made affect the local. Jesus said to love our neighbor, part of one unit – each affecting each other and the and this is one way we can do that.” whole. Sort of like a Rubik’s Cube. What still needs The pope’s encyclical took its name from to be done is basically that we all need to get on “Laudato Si’, mi Signore,” which appears in the board. I was so energized by the Paris Accord, the third stanza of Saint Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle hope it generated, the reality of what looked like a of the Sun.” It means “Praise be to you, my Lord.” global effort with real political will.” The Sisters believe they have an important role to The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 established play in teaching people that spirituality is a part of a framework for global climate action, including protecting the earth. the mitigation of climate change. President Trump “If people actually become convinced that later withdrew the spirituality is involved in the way we treat the planet, United States from the we would go much farther, much faster,” Sister agreement. Michele Morek said. “Many people had pigeonholed Ursuline leadership the issue of climate change so that it had nothing joined with other to do with their personal lives or with spirituality – women religious until Laudato Si’ came along. We can help through communities programs offered in the Retreat Center, and through in Kentucky to prayer services, discussions, etc., that we offer in our publicly state their chapel or even on Facebook. I think we could have Sister Michele Morek, right, disappointment with some virtual, online presentations that might attract blesses the farm and the fields that move in a 2019 with holy water at Mount Saint some interest. The way to get parents involved is letter to the editor Joseph in 2009, along with through the kids – the ones who are really getting Sister Francis Louise Johnson. published in several behind it and always have are the kids.” The Ursulines try to do this newspapers. “Sometimes I hear people equating care for the blessing during an annual “Catholic teaching is procession to the cemetery on planet with political realities,” Sister Sharon said. clear – climate change is the Feast of Our Lady of the “The notion that a spirituality could drive something a grave moral issue that Snows on Aug. 5. By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph Staff
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