Religious Communities who have been around for over 100 years have a weathered Gospel wisdom that is passed from generation to the next. Such dedicated religious inherit a strong respect for each of their members and all of life, including the small or seemingly insignificant in creation. In this spirit, the leadership of the Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey, Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, and the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity planned an evening conversation on the topic of sustainability and religious life on January 19, 2010.
Important to the discussion included the following:
- The gathering began with a group prayer for enlightenment and simple introductions.
- Sister Janet Weyker, O.P. shared on her community’s Eco-Justice Center dedicated to environmental education
and care of earth in the context of community, contemplation, creativity, and cultivation. - Sister Sally Ann Brickner, OSF, facilitated a discussion on the National Catholic Rural Life Conference’s Questionnaire on Climate Change and Religious Communities.
- Brother Steve Herro, O Prem connected the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change’s St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor to the evening’s topic.
St. Bonaventure in Souls Journey Into God, said: “Therefore open your eyes, alert the ears of your spirit, open your lips and apply your heart so that in all creatures you may see, hear, praise, love and worship, glorify and honor your God.”
Share some choices for sustainable living.
