This Year, 2020, is the 5th Anniversary of 'Laudato Si' and the 50th Anniversary of 'Earth Day'.
On 11th January members of our Marist General Councils - Cristina Giustozzi smsm, Anne McCabe sm, Ben McKenna sm, and Ángel García fms, met together to reflect on: 1. What are our General Chapters calling us to do? 2. What is happening in our Branch of the Society? 3. What Resources are we using? and 4. How can we support each other and work together?
What are our General Chapters Calling us to do?
Each member shared on their work and commitment to 'Laudato Si' within their branch of the Society of Mary.-The SMSM's are working on "Care for our Common Home" in their schools, medical institutes, and communities.
-The SM Sisters are members of UNANIMA which has a voice on the UN. Anne McCabe has produced a book for use in Primary Schools. A pdf copy of this book is available on request.
-The FMS have a voice in the UN at Geneva.Ecology is part of the portfolio of Solidarity.
-The SM Frs & Brs have a Commission for Ecology and a JPIC blog: https://jpicblog.maristsm.org
Resources:
- The Vatican Dicastery for the promoting Integral Human Development delivered a pertinent message last year: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/05/24/190524b.html and one for this year is imminent. A documentary film is to be produced; also special Stations of the Cross; and a special Holy Thursday washing of the feet.
-The Season of Creation, 01 September – 04 October, will have resources, prayerful and practical for this year. https://seasonofcreation.org/guide
-There is a 'Laudato Si' Mass monthly in Rome, to celebrate the ongoing mission.
-The Global Catholic Climate Movement - https://catholicclimatemovement.global - have resources for Schools, Parishes, and Catholic Institutions. They also train Animators for implementing Laudato Si:
-SEDOS, Rome, https://sedosmission.org have the Theme: "Ecology and Mission" for this year's workshop: 04-08 May: to be held in Nemi. A Marist from the Pacific will be making a presentation.
-The Marist Family, in Australia, have produced a leaflet "Caring for our Planet". Available on request.
-The Marists in NZ are producing a 'Sustainability Covenant', and a Kit by which this can be lived. Peter Healy sm is responsible. This should be available in due course.
- Carbon Audit and offset: Donato Kivi sm, Fiji is working on this, in this transition time of moving away from fossil fuels.
- JPIC Roma - https://www.jpicroma.org – have many resources available for a wide range of application.
Other matters mentioned were: Composting, Re-cycling, De-cluttering [a 6 week plan], Vegetarian meals, and 'Green Flag Schools' https://inherit.eu/green-flag-one-of-the-practices-developed-and-initiated-by-the-foundation-of-environmental-education-fee/
We also propose that on the three occasions that the Marist Family come together: 28 April – Peter Chanel; 06 June – Marcellin Champagnat;1 2th September – Holy Name of Mary: we could explore, apply and develop an "Ecological Dimension" for these Feasts this year, 2020.
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Comments 5
As they say in Australia (God bless this continent and the fires!), Good on you Ben, for pushing the four branches of the Society of Mary to meet and share resources! Thank you for that! You saw in your visit last year, that at the provincial house here in WDC in the United States is solarized, and we are saving money as well!
Keep up the good work, and Courage!!
Ben, in your post you mention a book by the SM sisters for the primary school, and that PDF copies ae available. Ho do I get a copy sent to our school Ecole NDV, San Francisco), or to me?
The NDV principal is Sarah Currier, currier@ndvsf.org . Please do NOT post the principal's email.
Great Bruce, trusting that now you have received a pdf copy of Anne's book! Its a great resource!
Hello Ben, tonight on the ABC programme "Back Roads" the featured the town of Menindee (western NSW) where there was an ecological disaster last year - over a million fish died. The fish suffocated after a blue green algal bloom, which robbed the water in the Darling River of oxygen. It was devastating to see the images again - all due to mismanagement by The Murray Darling Basin Authority.
Menindee is a small remote town of 500 people - a real "no-where place" in the eyes of the world, the rich and powerful, but precious in the sight of God.
God bless your planning and preparation work through the Marist General Councils and the Marist JPIC Blog - Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation ministries throughout the Marist world.
Ross, thank you for this . It may not be possible - but if there were a few words, and a few pics, then we could put in a blog piece.....