A Growing Ministry with Sustainability in Action

Sister Elizabeth Smith, a retired chaplain from CHRISTUS Spohn from years ago, founded the Weavers of Love in 2013.  It is a non-profit 501c3 organization that provides meals and sandwiches to the elders, the disabled, and people who need extra help from the soup kitchen starting in 2015, and medical services offered by the clinic since 2022.  Among her supporters are her previous co-workers from CHRISTUS Spohn, friends, community leaders, and public officials.  Weaver of Love's soup kitchen is open every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm.  The soup kitchen's salad is supplied by their community garden and greenhouse, which the associates maintain. They have nutrition counseling every Wednesday. The center provides nutritious food served by volunteers.  Occasionally the board would come to serve as well. The Weavers of Love extends its services to grief counseling, free clothing for adults and children, and diabetic shoes in another closet room. The food pantry is coming up soon.  

The Sister's Closet has a variety of collections of dresses, blouses, shirts, pants, and shoes.  All of these have been set up in a store-like setting so that their patrons could walk into the room to pick their choice of clothing to upgrade their wardrobe, better clothes for an interview, or simply for daily use.  The store has occasional promotions or deals where people can get more than one piece of clothing.  The store also has volunteer students from Texas A&M.  The service hours to this non-profit make a good collaboration for community experience. 

On March 16, 2024, Sister Elizabeth was honored during the gala for her work with the underprivileged people of Kingsville, building community towards a common good.  Sisters Carmen, Christi, and Marylou represented the Incarnate Word Sisters, San Antonio to rejoice with her on that momentous day.   The people enjoyed the food, silent auction, dancing, conversations, and beautiful messages from supporters of Sister Elizabeth.  It was certainly an evening to be grateful for the many benefactors who have supported the mission of the Weavers of Love.

The facility was closed in September and October for renovations.  The soup kitchen has updated its structures and some remodeling done for a better experience for its patrons.  Since November 12, the soup kitchen has been back to serve nutritious meals.  The patrons have been welcomed by its new Executive Director Andy Patrick, replacing the retired CEO of the Weavers of Love Jose Johnson.  We are very grateful to the previous leadership of Mr. Johnson for his years of dedication to the Weavers of Love.   

The Weavers of Love also received a grant from the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) to support the center's sustainability effort to grow fresh fruits from its garden to its soup kitchen for its patrons.  It is the fall season and a perfect time to plant trees and have their roots well established.  Belinda, an associate of the Weavers, drove to Rio Grande Valley to buy trees from Texas A&M Citrus Center.  She found out about the trees raised by the center under the leadership of research scientist Dr. Skaria.  The center aims to have high-quality citrus with less space or land per fruit yield.  Belinda and the other associates planted lemon, lime, navel oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit trees.  All of these citrus trees from the center have been micro-grafted to adapt to the climate of Texas, with minimum watering.   The associates plan to buy two more trees, one of which would be avocado trees.  She will get an organic fertilizer later to keep the trees healthy and growing.  

We hope that the Weavers of Love continues to thrive and influence its community on the value of growing local, supporting local, and serving each other for a more sustainable and resilient society.

More here:

Weavers of Love back open in Kingsville
'Weavers of Love' opens up to community following renovations
Why it is great to plant trees in the fall?  

Weavers of Love

Sustainability, Biodiversity, Inclusivity, the Green Patriarch and Socio-ecological Justice in Peace Day

On October 31, we had a Peace Day event at the University of Incarnate Word.  Part of this event is to talk about Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Inclusivity in one segment.  Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh (see qumsiyeh.org) shared with us information about human and biological diversity in the Holy Land (Palestine). He is the founder and volunteer director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University (see palestinenature.org). We learned about how colonization affected the environment in many countries but the focus was on damage done in Palestine (e.g. diversion and destruction of the Jordan River system, draining wetlands, uprooting millions of trees, the impact of war on nature). This he explained is a typical colonial system that declares war on human and biological diversity. Palestine was a multi-ethnic, multicultural, multi-religious, and multilingual society that was to be changed to become a monolithic Jewish state. This had consequences for both people and nature.  Qumsiyeh also addressed non-violent resistance (which he and other Palestinians call popular resistance). He explained its long history in Palestine and its successes. He explained how Gandhi opposed the British occupation. He spoke of Desmond Tutu and of  Martin Luther King Jr.  He drew parallels between Palestine today under Israeli colonization that left 8.5 million Palestinian Christians and Muslims as refugees/displaced people and Palestine of 2000 years ago under Roman rule. Jesus had taught Palestinian Christians like Mazin the necessity of helping the needy and challenging unjust systems. Having just completed the olive harvest in the botanic garden of the institute, Qumsiyeh explained the value of olive trees (first domesticated in our region) but also explained the harassment of farmers destruction of trees, and land confiscation by the Israeli colonial occupiers. He argued that this conflict in Palestine must be ended as it is an aberration that harms people and nature (citing examples of genocide and ecocide happening in Palestine).  Dr. Qumsiyeh also talked about the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability which has a vision of sustainable human and natural communities. To arrive at this vision, the institute engages in research, education, conservation (of both cultural and natural heritage), and community service. The facilities act as an oasis of peace and hope for both humans and plants and animals. He explained how people can volunteer (palestinenature.org/volunteer) or support in other ways (you can email him at mazin@qumsiyeh.org or info@palestinenature.org) for more information. 

Another speaker in this segment is Vladimir Narsia who talked about the ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.  The Patriarch earned the title particularly because of his strong advocacy on Care for Creation even before the Laudato Si was launched.  Patriarch Bartholomew had several initiatives through gatherings, prayers, and letters asking people to work on charity for the environment and to subdue the greediness that is degrading the world into climate change, a decline of biodiversity, among many obvious effects of the imbalance in the eco-system. In 1989, the Green Patriarch proclaimed September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for Creation with his first encyclical on the environment.   Subsequently, other Christian churches followed the initiatives of the Green Orthodox initiatives.  It was in 2015 that the Roman Catholic Church through Pope Francis Laudato Si' that the Western church joined the Orthodox in the concrete advocacy and work to Care for Creation, facing the reality of Climate Change and its effects.  The two Christian leaders now with their voices are working to ask the people of all nations to pray, reflect, and take every opportunity that all nonprofit organizations, business institutions, and individuals can do for the environment to give the dignity that it deserves affecting the most vulnerable. 

Following the talk on the love of Creation as initiated by the advocacies and initiatives of the Green Orthodox Church, is the hope that we all have and can share with our neighbors and the rest of the world.   We have our own share of responsibility toward "Socio-ecological Justice".  Since the 19th century, there have been several green organizations that care for the rights and dignity of the environment.  Laudato Si' Movement is one among the many of these.  It is a movement that aims to spread the Gospel in a new way. We are all connected.   Globally, we are affecting the ecological balance causing climate change, decline of biodiversity, and extreme natural disasters.  We are invited to pray, reflect, and take action on our ailing planet.  Laudato Si' means "Praised be to You [my God]".  We are all connected and we praise God by our witness.   We are not living in isolation.  We can contribute to solving the climate crisis by advocacies, a low-carbon footprint lifestyle through eco-conscious living, reducing single-use plastics, and turning to reusable and ecologically friendly products that do not harm the environment.  We can ask ourselves before we patronize any products, will it cause harm to another person, creature, or creation?  There is no such thing as small and insignificant in this global project.  Other ways that the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of Incarnate Word contributes to this cause is through the Headwater's native program, solar-powered water source for wildlife, soil research, and growing native prairie.  Scientists are concerned about this greenhouse gas coming from methane and carbon dioxide. The greenhouse gases are trapped in the atmosphere instead of being released into beyond.  It is important to note that Texas, in particular, has the largest methane emitter in the world due to the Permian Basin.  In addition to the Permian Basin, other shale sites in Texas similarly impact the environment directly.   We have our humble individual actions and yet all are significant as reminded by Pope Francis.   We are all called to be responsible within the limits of the ecological system. Through individual and systemic actions, we can become more hopeful with awareness combined with actions to have a climate-ready future.   

The session ended with JPIC awards to the attendees of the event where they received the Gospel of Peace book by Father John Dear, the compost bin to promote eco-friendly practice in daily living, sponsored by JPIC, and the Innocent Project sweater provided by one of the Incarnate Word Sisters.

Learn about Care for Creation through advocates of nature and ecology.  Also, peace-related websites or links are below for know more about the works about peace.
https://laudatosianimators.org
https://sierraclub.org
https://environmentamerica.org
Env. Defense Fund https://edf.org
https://paxchristi.org
https://alamo.edu/nvc/experience-nvc/community/peace-center
https://paceebene.org/

Grant for Brainpower Schools' Sustainability Projects

University of Incarnate Word Brainpower Connection invites its schools to participate in Sustainability projects.  These schools include Incarnate Word High-School, Saint Anthony High-School, Saint Mary Magdalen, Saint Anthony Catholic School, and Blessed Sacrament Catholic School.  The grant can range from $200 - $1000 depending on the project that the students will submit for implementation. The committee will decide the recipient or recipients of the funds so that the students and teachers can work together for the project for a class, a club, or special project.  Proposals must be submitted by December 4, 2024.

For more information, contact UIW Brainpower Connection Director Ms. Patricia Ramirez plramire@uiwtx.edu or UIW Brainpower Connection Assistant Ms. Karen Gonzalez kkgonza1@uiwtx.edu

UIW Fall Events: Peace Day Oct 30th and Nov 9th Listening Workshop

There are two major events sponsored by University of Incarnate Word hosted by Sr. Martha Ann

1. Annual Peace Day

What: Annual Peace Day @ Univesity of Incarnate Word
When:  Invitation to UIW 2024 Peace Day Oct. 30^th  9:00am - 7:30pm
Where: University of Incarnate Word Student Engagement Center Rooms 2040-2041 and online
Join the meeting (Teams Meeting ID: 265 991 206 995) 
Who: All are invited
Need help?
Those who would like to receive service credit, please register  https://uiw.givepulse.com/event/512966-Peace-Day-Oct.-30-2024-Co-Creating-a-Camino-of-Compassion-and-Peace

2. Workshop on listening, histories, stories, and arts

What: Do We Love Enough to Listen?
When: November 9^th 9 a.m. - Noon,  
Location: University of the Incarnate Word Benack Music Building
How: Registration 

Who: All are invited

Peace Day

October 30, 2024, Student Engagement Center (SEC), Rooms 2040-2041 and Online

Join the meeting (Teams Meeting ID: 265 991 206 995) Need help?

9 a.m. - 11 a.m., Building a Camino of Compassion and Peace: Young Leaders Shine

In July 2024, some young leaders from Texas encouraged by the San Antonio Rotary attended Nurturing Hope, a peace education academy in Corrymeela, Northern Ireland. Other youth leaders attended the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace (charterforcompassion.org) in Monterrey, Mexico. Both Monterrey and San Antonio are Cities of Compassion seeking to grow in that ethic. They invite people all along the Camino to the pathway to become Cities of Compassion.

Learn about the Charter for Compassion and the growing alliance with Peace on Earth by 2030. Learn about Artistic Bridges Artistic Bridges (charterforcompassion.org), a global education project for 18 to 4-year-olds to build understanding and empathy. Hear from the students about their personal Caminos with peace work. Then move into a conversation about current efforts to create a systematic corridor.

Speakers include: Anun Mulla, Global Youth Strategist for the Charter for Compassion speaking from New Delhi, India;  San Antonians who participated in the Nobel Summit, Estrella Needham of UIW and Chase Taylor of UTSA, Migdalia Garcia, Director of the Peace Center at Northwest Vista College, and Dr. Eric Castillo, Alamo Colleges Associate Vice Chancellor of Arts, Culture, and Community Impact. Invited speakers from the countries participating in Artistic Bridges: Darlene Jasso and Edwin Mendoza, Guatemala, Dana Osaily, Palestinian Authority Intern speaking from Ramallah, Palestine. 

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Peace on Earth by 2030

Join Peace on Earth by 2030 led by internationally acclaimed David Gershon.  Be with about 70 peacebuilders from various countries including Afghanistan in the fifth session of the “Peace Games” series. The topic is Abundance, what is needed to build peace on earth is abundant. As the weekly participants go into team discussion groups, be with local people Sister Martha Ann Kirk of UIW, Paul Dubay, a graduate of the IW MA Program in Peace and Justice, and Jacky Zavala Aguila, of the UIW Office of Research and Graduate Studies, to learn how you might be a part of this significant growing movement. In conjunction with this, consider the Positive Peace Index. 

1 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., Biodiversity, Sustainability, and the Sacredness of God’s Creation

Join us for a Palestinian lunch with recipes from NORAH: From My Grandmother’s Kitchen: Palestinian Recipes and Memories by Dr. Rolla Alaydi, holding a Ph.D. in Education from UIW. We are grateful to Dr. Ana Carla Cepeda Lopez and her Nutrition students have prepared the lunch.

Dr. Mazin Qumsiyah, scientist and author, founder and director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability and the Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University shares virtually their work.  Dr. Qumsiyah is president of the Rotary Club in Bethlehem and connects with us through the Rotary Peace on Earth by 2030 organizing team.

He will be joined by two presenters from the recent International Creation Care Conference at UIW.  Visiting Scholar Vladimer Narsia from the perspective of the Eastern Christian tradition and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew’s teachings on sustainability shares. Sister Mary Lou Rodriguez, U.S. leader of the Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation Committee of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, shares on Socio-Ecological Justice and Laudato Si. Issues raised by each presenter led to a conversation with session participants on the importance and urgency of preserving life. 

3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m., Social Justice and the Teaching of World Literature 

Highlights from the Inaugural International Symposium hosted by the UIW English Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, moderated by Dr. Manzur Alam joined by Dr. Jim Baker, Taniajit Kaur, Dr. Paul Lewis,  and others. Participate in conversation with presenters and consider ways of creating a more peaceful world. “If you want peace, work for justice,” by Pope Paul VI.

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.,  Día de los Muertos Ofrenda for Peace & Justice

Note: This session will be held where the alter is displayed in the Mabee Library’s entrance lobby until November 8. The session will not be online.

Rooted in the ancient rituals of both our Indigenous and European ancestors, we pause to honor our loved ones who have died.  We will also honor the lives of so many brothers and sisters who were victims of hate crimes. Join us for an educational presentation in the auditorium and a short prayer service of commitment to work for peace and justice in their names.  You can also request a special presentation for your class while the altar is on exhibit.

6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Building a Camino of Compassion and Peace, Peace and Prayers Are Not Enough, a new book

Adelina Geraghty, Dr. Patrick Muehlberger, Rev. Julie Rowe, Teofilo Reyes, and Jacky Zavala Aguila, who participated in the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and are working on the alliance of the Charter for Compassion and Peace on Earth by 2030 will share. What is a City of Compassion and how can those be multiplied? How does one create a “Peace on Earth Zone”? How might we grow all along the way to Monterrey?

San Antonio Street Medicine helping the unhoused is an example of compassion and Dr. Patrick Muehlberger and Adelina Geraghty will share their work.  

Finally, we consider a new book, Peace and Prayers Are Not Enough by  Rev. Julie Rowe. She has lived and worked in Jerusalem for four years and repeatedly returned. She describes what she has seen and invites all to deeper questions about authentic ways to build peace through justice.

Continuing the commitment to building compassion, justice and peace, join us on these speaker series@UIW Student Engagement Center room 2040-2041.

Do We Love Enough to Listen?

Saturday, Nov. 9,  9 a.m. - Noon, University of the Incarnate Word Benack Music Building

A workshop with award-winning actor Jesse Borrego and an introduction to oral histories shared by the San Antonio African American Community Archives and Museum. An opportunity for certified teachers to get 3 CPE hours for participation.                         

The descendant of an Apache great-grandmother, Jesse Borrego, and the descendant of a settler, Sister Martha Ann Kirk, Th.D., who was given their land, are developing a drama, “Land Taken, Land Given” to invite dialogue in the classroom and society. Do we love enough to listen to different sides of a story? Do we love enough to create futures for all to flourish?

For those interested in stories, cultures, history, performing arts, creative teaching methods and reconciliation between peoples. The drama is enriched by Papa Bear (Issac Cardenas), Evan Santos and Catherine Cuasay. The American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions invite you to join the University of the Incarnate Word conversation to remember.

UIW Education Professor Dr. Ann David shares the relevant theoretical frameworks from education that support the integration of storytelling and diverse histories into classroom teaching.

In 1869, the Ursuline Sisters’ leader, who welcomed the first three Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word when the convent for them had burned down, was from Espada Mission, from the families of the descendants of the indigenous peoples there. What are ways that the histories of Catholic Sisters are interwoven with Native American history and Black history? 

Questions: kirk@uiwtx.edu or (210) 883-5934