A Treasured Letter: Earth Day 2023

Image: Unsplash/@rinckad

Do you,  like myself, have a letter among your keepsakes that you fondly treasure and pull out to reread? Its words touching your heart and inspiring a commitment to live life more fully.

On April 22nd, Earth Day provides us with an excellent, appropriate opportunity to reread a published papal letter.

Read the letter here, or at least a summary of it signed  with deep caring, only as “Francis”.  This letter, called “Laudato Si’ ”, was  officially published on June 18, 2015, and marks its eighth anniversary this June. Its global release was highly anticipated and was accompanied by a news conference which caught the attention of the world.

In the past, papal letters were written primarily as internal documents containing the present pope's views on church teachings and doctrine and were addressed to Catholic clergy and the laity.  Surprisingly, or perhaps not so remarkably,  Pope Francis addressed his wise, timely and respected words in Laudato Si’ to “the citizens of the world”.

Image: Unsplash/Noah Buscher

Pope Francis, relying on thousands of years of Catholic teaching and scientific knowledge calls on all of us to live our life and our faith by caring for our common home. He draws our attention to the deep connection between the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. He weaves together the truths of science and spirituality throughout his public letter calling upon all humanity to heed creation and the Creator’s call.

The website, Space offers these realistic and encouraging words for us to take to heart. “When we hear terms like "code red for humanity" and "climate change", it can feel difficult to focus on the small actions individuals and communities can take to address the climate crisis. But Earth Day strives to highlight how everyone can be part of the change. “

Let us ask ourselves this Earth Day,

Image:Unsplash/Greg Rakozy

“What one thing can I change to contribute to the healing of the earth?”

Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’” is indeed a letter to treasure.

 -Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Header Image: Unsplash/Andreas Gücklhorn

Earth Day

Each year on April 22, we observe the birthday of the modern environmental movement, which began in 1970. Earth Day celebrates its 52nd anniversary this year.

“In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences from either the law or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity...America remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health.”

I remember the publication of Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, in 1962, “which raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health.”

Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin had already been concerned about environmental deterioration in the USA, when, in January 1969, a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California ravaged the area. Wanting to harness the energy of the student anti-war protests and direct them into consciousness about air and water pollution, the Senator came up with the idea of a teach-in on college campuses. April 22 was chosen as it occurred on a weekday between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize the greatest student participation.

Denis Hayes who did the initial organizing realized that all Americans could participate in this movement. As ever more organizations, faith groups and others joined in the various events across the country, the name was changed to Earth Day. National media coverage resulted in “20 million Americans... taking to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which had left a legacy of serious human health impacts... By the end of 1970, the first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other first of their kind environmental laws... “

In 1990 “Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries...30 years on, Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders a loud and clear message: Citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on global warming and clean energy.”

But more challenges faced the environmental community in 2010, as climate change deniers and well-funded oil lobbyists, etc. continued their opposition. But Earth Day continued and EARTHDAY.ORG prevailed, making Earth Day a main proponent for global action for the environment.

Today, as the climate crisis grows and the fight for a clean environment is even more urgent, it is imperative we do our part to work for our planet and its people.

-Sister Patricia Cataldi, CPS/The Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood

(Adapted from www.earthday.org) 

Earth Day 2022

In the scriptures, Jesus reminds us of the care of the Father for each of us, as well as, the birds and the flowers. (Matthew 6:26, Luke 12:27). We, in northern Canada, are so blessed with the beauty of creation.

Earth Day encompasses not only nature, but all aspects of our Mother Earth. Again, as we think and reflect on our life in the North, we are aware of how blessed we are to know and be in relationship with people from many countries of the world. We are indeed, interconnected and interrelated! And in times of hardship, sorrow, and sometimes utter disbelief, we turn, in unity to prayer.

In November 2018, I made a retreat called Boundless Compassion facilitated by Joyce Rupp. The setting was the beautiful Bowen Island, British Columbia. One of the days of the retreat was dedicated to Compassion for Creation. Joyce invited us to go for a walk and have a conversation with something in creation. In this conversation, we were encouraged to listen, more than speak. The following is what a tree stump shared with me.

November 28, 2018 Tree Stump tells me about herself:

This tree stump in my yard is a feeder for birds in winter and a garden in summer. Below, images from my surroundings.

“Well, at one time, I was one of the tall trees on the property. I could see far over the water. My branches would even touch my brothers and sisters. But there came a time that I needed to be cut down…and that is a story for another time. 

Did you know that the beautiful part of our life as trees, is that, although we lose our crowning glory of branches and foliage, we remain connected in and through our root system?

Now my role is quite different. Did you notice the tiny mushrooms growing on my side? I am somewhat of a nurse giving life. And ants come and burrow and carry off sawdust. I think the tinge of green lichen or moss gives a certain decorative beauty. I can still see the water and hear the birds and even now and then a seagull or black bird will rest on me. I am happy in my old age!”

Today I encourage you to have a conversation with Mother Earth. Remember to listen.

Creator of all living beings, we desire the restoration of the health of Mother Earth. As wise stewards of all that you have entrusted to us, we resolve to evaluate our lifestyle and patterns of consumption in order to make necessary changes. Provident God, we are partners with you. By the power of your Spirit, fill us with courage and conviction as we take responsible action to ensure the sustainability of our Earth. We pray in the name of Jesus who shows us the way. Amen.

(Adapted from “An Earth Day Prayer Service”)

Blessings, Sister Maggie Beaudette, CSJ

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Earth Day Canada 2021 | Jour de la Terre Canada 2021

EARTH:  “This Floating Body We All Call Home”

For Earth Day 2021, we welcome the poetic words and thoughts, focused on climate change, written and read by Amanda Gorman. It is an inspiring poem by the 22-year-old US national youth poet laureate.  

Her poem was written and read in 2018 (the 48th anniversary of the celebration of Earth Day) during the Climate Reality Leadership Corps Trainings.  It was dedicated to Al Gore, as well as, the participants in the Corps Training Project taking place in Los Angeles.  

The Corps Training is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness about the urgency for action, as Amanda reads “And while this is training. There is no rehearsal. The time is Now, Now, Now.”   Amanda reads with the enthusiasm and convictions of her profound beliefs and promise...

“Earthrise”
By Amanda Gorman

Where despite disparities
We all care to protect this world,
This riddled blue marble, this little true marvel
To muster the verve and the nerve
To see how we can serve
Our planet. You don’t need to be a politician
To make it your mission to conserve, to protect,
To preserve that one and only home
That is ours,
To use your unique power
To give next generations the planet they deserve.

We are demonstrating, creating, advocating
We heed this inconvenient truth, because we need to be anything but lenient
With the future of our youth.

And while this is a training,
in sustaining the future of our planet,
There is no rehearsal. The time is
Now
Now
Now,
Because the reversal of harm,
And protection of a future so universal
Should be anything but controversial.

So, earth, pale blue dot
We will fail you not.

(This is an excerpt from “Earthrise,” written by Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of the United States Amanda Gorman.

Read the full poem here.

““So, earth, pale blue dot We will fail you not”.”

— Amanda Gorman

For more expanded information about Earth Day please visit www.earthday.ca

-Sister Mabel St. Louis, csj

50th Anniversary - Earth Day 2020

On April 22 1970 environmental fears mobilized 10 percent of American population, or 20 million people to demonstrate and demand from world leaders, a new strategy to save our environment.   Propelling this demonstration forward, was the unified response of ordinary people, who seized the opportunity/crises, from events such as the “oil spills, smog, river being so polluted that they literally caught on fire”.  To this day, solidifying a unified response to this problem, from world leaders, has been slow and ineffective. 

Perhaps some of the resistance is due to the fact, we live in a mechanistic age, lacking in “creativity, innovation, ambition and bravery, to meet our climate crises and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future.”  In these turbulent times a new vision for the future is imperative, as we work together towards transformative change, in ourselves and our entire world.  However, it is imperative we maintain hope for progress leading to solutions against global warming.   

Currently, I want to imagine, that the coronavirus sweeping the world will be like a “thin edge of the wedge”, to open the door for a more unified response to our global environmental crises. Deep in our bones and DNA, we know that not addressing climate change, endangers not just the lungs and life of people, but of all creation, above, below, in the oceans, earth, and high into the stratosphere of our beautiful sky, mountains and solar system.  

Let us follow the example of former TV news anchor Walter Cronkite.  He kept a photo of the earth taken from space, “Earthrise” from Apollo 8, on his desk, to remind him of “The Earth’s Fragility”.  Art is of value, because art has the ability to shift consciousness, to help the viewer wonder and see things in new ways. It is my belief we will evolve with greater intimacy and commitment to mother earth. By changing inconsistent patterns and using our imagination, we are capable of finding a creative new global agreement. We can. We will. We must.

Visit www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/ and discover activities happening on Earth Day in your neighbourhood,  around our world, and also the history of Earth Day.

- Sister Patricia St. Louis, csj