Caring for our planet and specifically our local surroundings in the footsteps of St. Francis, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital and Catholic Charities hosted a recent Earth Day Event on Brother Earth, Brother Fire, Sister Water and Brother Wind/Air. The informational presentations took place in the Franciscan Center for Music Education and Performance at 6751 Calumet Ave. in Manitowoc. Sister Mariella Erdmann’s oil painting was the featured image of the day.
This event intended to raise awareness of the need to protect earth’s natural resources for future generations. Speakers included:
- Brother Wind/Air — Greenhouse Gas Effects
David Poister, Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science, St. Norbert College - Brother Fire — Sustainable Energy from Past to Present
Troy Adams, General Manager, Manitowoc Public Utilities - Sister Water — Wastewater Management
Brad Busse, Engineering/Stormwater Technician, City of Manitowoc - Mother Earth — Grow it Forward
Amber Daugs, CEO and founder, Grow It Forward
Green activities for children and resource tables of information were also available. Nancy Gill, Board of Directors, Conservation Education Incorporated, addressed “How Planting Native Plants Restores Biodiversity”. Nancy was a student of past Biology Professor Franciscan Sister Julia Van Denack.
At the closing of the day Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province Fr. Placid Stroik blessed seeds given to all participants. Here Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Novices Sister Catherine Peter Logan and Sister Michelle Marie Ozuna delight in their simple terrariums that they created at the event. Tara Wachowski, Manitowoc County Water and Soil Conservation, led this activity.
