UIW Brainpower Connection's Artworks 3.0 and Pilgrimage

The Catholic church designated this year as the Jubilee Year of Hope. US Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, University of Incarnate Word (UIW) and UIW Brainpower Connection have joined hands again to create a program for five schools namely Incarnate Word High School, Saint Anthony Catholic High-School, Saint Anthony Catholic School, Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic School and Blessed Sacrament Catholic School.  These schools will have their third year of collaborative work with students reflecting on the Season of Creation through creating artwork about God's wondrous works. The students will use the theme "Peace with Creation" for their artworks.  The deadline for the submission of the artworks to Ms. Karen Gonzalez, the Assistant Administrator to UIW Brainpower Connection has been moved to September 29 to give more time to the students, and teachers.

The artworks of the students will be displayed in Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center which is the center adjacent to Mission Concepcion, a World Heritage Site.  Each of the artworks will be an entry to a raffle that will be held on October 4, 2025.  There will be UIW students from Environmental Science Department courtesy of Dr. John Hooker who will be working together with Sister Martha Ann to create a program and design for the display of artworks for the Pilgrimage Center. We are grateful to Ms. Biniza Zentella, Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center Manager who made it possible to a public exhibit of the children's art work there on October 4, 2025, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of creation.  

In line with the Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope, as well as the 10th Year Anniversary of Laudato Si', the UIW Brainpower Connection, UIW, and JPIC are also hosting a Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation. The pilgrimage will be held on October 4, 2025.  The pilgrimage will start at 9:00am in Confluence Park, San Antonio, passing through the side of the river to the park, following the path to Mission Concepcion, and finally ending in the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center.  Confluence Park and the trail going to the Mission Concepcion give a wonderful opportunities to learn about nature in this area. We will both pray to thank the Creator, and we will learn as we see aspects of creation. A special program  will be held in the pilgrimage center at 10 am and it will include a raffle for those students who  participated in the Season of Creation Artworks 3.0. 

All the students and faculties from the five schools are encouraged to participate in Artworks 3.0 and this pilgrimage. Contact Ms. Karen Gonzalez through kkgonza1@uiwtx.edu and phone (210) 832-5635 for information on submitting artwork.  Questions on the Pilgrimage can be also answered by Sister Martha Ann Kirk kirk@uiwtx.edu.

Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. The walk is only .9 miles, but we will be pausing to reflect on things along the way. Please arrive at Confluence Park, 310 W Mitchell St, San Antonio, TX 78204, at 8:50 am to check in. Those who do not wish to walk can drive to nearby the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center and Mission Concepcion 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210.

To join the pilgrimage register here: Mission Concepcion Pilgrimage and Artworks 3.0

For UIW students who need service hours, this is an opportunity to volunteer and enjoy serving by putting up the artworks (September 30 - October 3), taking down the artworks (October 7) and assisting with the event:  https://uiw.givepulse.com/event/update/669954 

More information can be found below.  Click the image to enlarge.

The Pilgrimage from Confluence to Mission Conception ending in Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center

Incarnate Word Sisters of San Antonio having the Mission Concepcion as its heritage ministry

Shine a Green Light

To RSVP, click the image below.  To know more about the event, go to http://saccvi.blogspot.com/p/events.html  

 

The seven goals of the Laudato Si Action Platform

You may have read or heard about the seven goals of Laudato Si, here is a synopsis of what they mean.

1.     The Response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend all forms of life on Earth. Actions could include supporting initiatives to end human trafficking, accompanying the elderly, people with disabilities, migrants and families of missing persons, assisting children in day care centers whose low-income mothers have to work, etc.

2.     The Response to the Cry of the Earth is a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all. Actions could include promoting greater use of clean renewable energies and reducing fossil fuels to achieve carbon neutrality, efforts to protect and promote biodiversity, supporting policies that guarantee access to clean water for all, etc.

3.     The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of solidarity and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. Actions could include participating in urban eco-projects, encouraging the elimination of single-use plastic, adopting a more plant-based diet, supporting people wishing to implement family/community gardens, etc.

4.     Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a sub-system of human society. Actions could include the promotion of cooperatives in indigenous communities, sustainable production, fair trade, ethical consumption, ethical investments, divestment from fossil fuels and any economic activity harmful to the planet and people, investment in renewable energies, etc.

5.     Ecological Education is about re-thinking in order to foster ecological awareness and transformative action. Actions could include assistance to patients with alternative medicine, promotion of values of care for creation, promotion of eco-friendly projects, etc.

6.     Ecological Spirituality springs from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things.” Actions could include prayers on integral ecology, promoting creation-based liturgical celebrations, developing ecological retreats, catechesis, and formation programs, etc.

7.     Community resilience and empowerment envisage a synodal journey of community engagement and participatory action at various levels. Actions could include promoting advocacy and awareness of fracking, fostering rootedness in local territory and neighborhood ecosystems, taking a stand against unfair systems, etc.