40th Annual University of the Incarnate Word Peace Day in the October Season of Justice, Peace, and Creation

 This and other Peace Day Schedules can be seen at 2026 October Season of Justice, Peace and Creation Schedule with the 40th Anniversary Peace Day | Past Peace Day Schedules  

Young people are invited to join the “Charter for Compassion Delegation” to the World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace in Rome the first week of December.  The deadline for registration is Oct. 30, 2026, but preparation is required before that. Register here.   

2026 October Season of Justice, Peace and Creation Schedule with the 40^th Anniversary Peace Day

 

Dr. Yosuke Nagai and Accept International “breaking the chains of violence together.”  As Incarnate Word celebrates 40 years of Peace Days, it is a leader organizing youth for the “Charter for Compassion Delegation” going to the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. Some of those young people will be in conversation with Dr. Nagai, Oct. 20, at UIW.

 Compassion and Peace in the Abrahamic Traditions: A Panel of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Voices

Oct. 1, 4 pm. Online

As part of the Campaign Nonviolence Call To Action Days, Sue Parsons, Tamar Krigel-Armstrong, Iman Beytullah Colak, and Sister Martha Ann Kirk united with over 2,200 groups around the world reflecting on  nonviolence as more effective than violence.  The human species has survived because people choose to compassionately care for others, to let the suffering of others make a claim on us.  Learn more of the panel  and of the Mother’s Call, a movement that no child may be raised to kill or be killed initiated by Israel and Palestinian women.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi                                                                                              

Oct. 4, 2026, 5 pm – 7 pm. Our Lady’s Grotto    

On the 800^th Anniversary of  St. Francis, we remember that he risked his life to dialogue with the most powerful ruler in the world, Sultan al-Kamil. A few years after Francis’ death, the Sultan, a prayerful Muslim negotiated to end the Crusades.  5 pm Environmental and Pet Fair.  6 pm Prayer for Creation and Blessing of the Animals.  Led by the Special Events Communication Arts Class of Dr. Sophia Dove and Sister Martha Ann Kirk.  Co-sponsored by the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace and Creation Office.  Contact: Sr. Martha Ann Kirk by email at kirk@uiwtx.edu or phone (210) 829-3854.

 Living the Call of Laudato Si to Care for the Earth

Friday, Oct. 9, 11 to 12 am, Bonilla Science Hall 316

 Jaype Sanz of Hilo, Hawaii, is a horticulturist and transition coach with over two decades of experience helping people connect with nature, embrace plant-based healing, and transition toward more sustainable lifestyles msha.ke. He is the executive board member of Community Partners for Innovation, director of the Urban Farm Council, and a plant-focused consultant who has worked with high-profile clients, families, and communities msha.ke.   Join in conversation with him on fostering regenerative, community-based food systems. Learn more here.   Contact: Sr. Martha Ann Kirk by email at kirk@uiwtx.edu or phone (210) 829-3854.

The Hidden History of Enslaved People in San Antonio and Our State, an exhibit called “Texas: Land of the Free”

Oct. 12 to Nov. 6,  Student Engagement Center.

As part of the observance of the 250^th Anniversary of the Constitution of the US, UIW explores facets of history, calling us to create a better future. This exhibition was organized by the  San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM)  The exhibit was planned in light a future program, Nov. 4, 10:30 am to 2:45 pm. 

From Slave-owner to “Saints”: Learn of  Those Who Lived in the Brackenridge Villa

Visit the Brackenridge Villa and learn of those who lived there such as Eleanor Brackenridge, the Texas “Mother of Women’s Suffrage,” the Incarnate Word Sisters, and an exiled Mexican Bishop. Professor Tim Draves will share on James R. Sweet, who built the right side of the house in the mid 1850’s. The year before he had sold an enslaved 13-year-old, Sarah, and bought enslaved 23-year-old George. He was both the mayor and a slave-trader. In 1862 He went to fight with the Confederacy. When defeated, he as about 500 other,  fled to Mexico. Register for a 10:30 am or 12 pm or 1:30 pm visit because space is limited From Slave-owner to “Saints”: Learn of Those Who Lived in the Brackenridge Villa | Home | University of the Incarnate Word Contact: Sr. Martha Ann Kirk  kirk@uiwtx.edu

Compassionate Communities in 1776 Inviting Us to Be Compassionate: UIW Celebrates the 250^th Anniversary of the Constitution.

In connection with the programs mentioned above, see the growing LibGuide created with the assistance of Erin Cassity of the UIW Maybee Library with resources associated with events throughout this 2026 – 2027 academic year.

Remember that in 1776, our original people in the missionary-led towns of Mission Nuestra Señora Concepción de Acuña, Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Francisco de la Espada lived the ideal of Acts 2:44-45, sharing their goods. They compassionately took care of each other.  Remember how the indigenous people donated cows and one silver piece for each person to help the 13 Colonies get freedom from the British Empire. Learn of the creative non-violence supporting US independence. UIW is working for the prestigious Compassionate University designation.  Participate in UIW’s compassionate projects for the 250^th Anniversary:  

250 service hours for the 250^th Anniversary!  Your group or class can compassionately co-create the future of the U.S.A. Build on the history of our compassionate San Antonio Mission communities in the 1700’s. They shared their goods so no one was left hungry.  When you win this Compassion Game, all of us win. Reflect on the country we wish to have. Get started serving in San Antonio, a Compassionate City. Register here the 250th Anniversary.

Oral History: Collecting Stories to Build Community. Each person’s story is part of the story of the U.S.A. The Constitution of the USA, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Catholic Social Teaching all affirm that each person matters.  Share your story and collect the stories of others. Register here for more information.   

 6th Annual Blessing at the Blue Hole, the Headwaters at Incarnate Word

 Oct. 13, 9:00 am  

Join members of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AITSCM) for the 6th Annual celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day at Incarnate Word. A ceremonial blessing at the Blue Hole in remembrance of Indigenous People. For more information, contact the Ettling Center at (210) 283-6423 or Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez at rigonza4@uiwtx.edu

 Environmental Volunteer Expo

Oct. 17, 10 -2 pm,  Urban Ecology Center, Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 N.W. Military Dr., San Antonio, TX

This is a free, family-friendly event that showcases local environmental organizations looking to recruit motivated volunteers wanting to make a real impact in San Antonio.  UIW unites with many city organizations in care of God’s creation.  Register and get details  Environmental Volunteer Expo | Home | University of the Incarnate Word

Dr. Nagai in the middle working to reconcile.

Join in Solidarity with Young Fighters Changing into Young Peacebuilders

Oct. 20,  8 am,  1:30 pm, 5:30 pm, register to get locations and details  https://uiw.givepulse.com/event/941280-Join-in-Solidarity-with-Young-Fighters-Changing-into-Young-Peacebuilders

We are “breaking the chains of violence in the world together” says Dr. Yosuke Nagai.  He is the Executive Director of Accept International  and the Founder of the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY). Since 2011, he has led the design and implementation of deradicalization, reintegration, and rehabilitation programs for disengaged members of non-state armed groups in Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Indonesia, and Colombia. He has also actively promoted dialogue and reconciliation initiatives in highly sensitive contexts. Hear stories of the young leaders of violence, now leaders in building reconciliation. Nagai is currently a Visiting Fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, an Associate Researcher at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), University of Tokyo, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Kyoto University. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Charter for Compassion. Sister Martha Ann Kirk is preparing young leaders from our city to be part of the Charter for Compassion Delegation participating in the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome at the beginning of December. 

8 to 9 am   UIW Maybee Library Special Collections Room, 4301 Broadway, SA 78209. An introduction to Accept International and their important work from Dr. Nagai. An introduction to The International Institute for Peacebuilding in Active Conflict (IIPAC)  from the founder Mehri Hilton, a Rotarian in Ukraine, and J.C. Clapsaddle, formerly a Rotarian in San Antonio.   A conversation on learning from each other.  Light Breakfast. Register here and indicate the 8 am session.  

1:30 to 2:45 pm  Welcome to San Antonio by Former Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who was the chair of the USCM’s Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Compassionate and Equitable Cities. He launched CompassionateUSA.  Followed by Dr. Nagai. Cheever Legacy Event Center,  University of the Incarnate Word Founders Hall, 4119 Broadway, SA 78209 (enter on Hildebrand for convenient guest parking) Register here  and indicate the 1:30 pm session.

5:30 pm. Conversations with youth in the Charter for Compassion Delegation who will participate in World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome in December and with some of the San Antonio Peace Laureates annually announced by the Peace Center.  Refreshments. 6 pm  Dr. Nagai. UIW Student Engagement Center 2031-2032, 4301 Broadway, SA 78209. Register here and indicate the 5:30 pm. session.

Writing Is the Fuel for Hope

Oct. 21, 12 noon, Dubuis Lawn

Writing Is the Fuel for Hope: Join the students from Dr. Josh Robbins' Writing As Resistance class for a poetry reading, harnessing the power of language in performance to effect change, inspire, and call our community into action and empathy. Students will read their work and attendees will have space to share their own words of resistance. 

 Nuclear War, the Forgotten Conversation  

Oct. 27,  4:30 to 5:45 pm, Admin 365

A panel with Paul Andrews, Bishop Trevor Alexander, UIW Chaplain and Religious Studies professor, and Dr. Paul Lewis, UIW Philosophy professor. Shared with the Philosophy of Science and Technology course.  Paul Andrews is currently doing research and writing on young people’s fear in light of nuclear proliferation. “The threat of nuclear Armageddon, a constant worry for many who grew up during the tense decades of the Cold War, is becoming a cause for concern for a growing number of young people,” according to the United Nations.

 

40^th Anniversary Peace Day, October 28, 2026, Wednesday

As Incarnate Word celebrates 40 years of Peace Days, it is a leader organizing youth for the “Charter for Compassion Delegation” going to the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. Some of those young people will be in conversation with Dr. Nagai, Oct. 20, 5:30 pm.

“ ‘Peace as a Way of Life,’ the first Peace Fair, October 4, 1986.  People were invited to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Peace and the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, who cherished God’s creation and modeled reconciliation. Fifteen workshop sessions and dramatic and musical performances were shared and a center piece of the gathering was the ceremony ‘Choose Life’ marking the formal announcement of the Peace and Justice Studies Graduate Program and the dedication of the Peace Pole monument. The Peace and Justice Graduate program was an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing the complex issues of violence and inequity in the world. Dr. Louis Agnese, the Incarnate Word President, Dr. Amy Freeman Lee, the President of the Board of Trustees, and Sr. Dot Ettling, the Superior General of the IW Sisters spoke. Chikae Ishikawa donated the Peace Pole with an inscription in four languages, “May peace prevail on earth,” to Incarnate Word. The monument connects us with the Society of Prayer for World Peace, a non-denominational organization founded in 1955 by Masahisa Goi in Japan, which had seen the ravages of nuclear bombings bringing on-going disease and death. Encouraged by the society, over 200,000 peace pole monuments have been placed in 180 countries. Dr. Agnese’s letter of gratitude to Mr. Ishikawa said, ‘the Peace Pole [the current pole is in front of the Brackenridge Villa] . . . is a very meaningful new symbol on campus, a reminder of the College’s mission of service in a world of peace, and the need for prayer and constant efforts to make peace a reality in our own lives, and the lives of others.’ Many bishops, rabbis, and other religious leaders sent letters of congratulations to Incarnate Word for having such a monument that publicly invites people to prayer, reconciliation, and active peacemaking.”             From https://www.uiw.edu/PeaceDay/_docs/peaceday-barnes-kirk.pdf 

 

All Peace Day presentations are in the Student Engagement Center 2040 – 2041 at the University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209,  and are hybrid except the 12 noon to 1:15 pm which is on the SEC porch and in the Community Garden. Learning and sharing peace, justice, and care for creation serves the world.  Register for service credit and if you cannot attend physically and for the virtual link.

Nuclear War, the Forgotten Conversation 

Oct. 28, 9 – 10:15 am, SEC 2040 -2041

 A panel with Paul Andrews, Bishop Trevor Alexander, UIW Chaplain and Religious Studies professor, and Dr. Paul Lewis, UIW Philosophy professor. Shared with the Religious Studies “Word in the World” Class.  Paul Andrews is currently doing research and writing on young people’s fear in light of nuclear proliferation. “The threat of nuclear Armageddon, a constant worry for many who grew up during the tense decades of the Cold War, is becoming a cause for concern for a growing number of young people,” according to the United Nations.

Listening to the Voices of the Cuban People

10:30 to 11:45 am SEC 2040 -2041

Jovanni Reyes, MA in International Relations from Troy University and a leader in About Face, Veterans Against War,  visited Cuba April 26 to May 8 to deliver much-needed medicine, given that the American blockade has tightened with the intention of starving the Cuban population into submission. Additionally, not a single drop of oil has been allowed to enter the country since January 2026 causing great suffering. Note a UN statement on the human rights violations that the oil blockade has caused.  

Daily Food, Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution

12 Noon – 1:10 pm, SEC Porch and the Community Garden

Free lunch on the SEC Porch and free dessert in the Community Garden between the Dreeben Education Building and Clement Residence Hall. The UIW Nutrition Department and the Student Dietetic Association led by Heather Frazier, PhD, RDN, LD, will share delicious food and fig sweets (by the fig tree in the garden) as they educate us on food that is healthy for the planet and healthy for us.  Our daily food can be a celebration of creation and of the Creator or  further waste the resources of our Common Home, the Earth.

 The Holocaust  1933-1945 by Dr. Roger C. Barnes

1:30 – 2:45 pm  SEC 2040 -2041

This presentation about the Holocaust describes the Nazi persecution of Jews and others during the reign of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.  There is a concluding emphasis on the six extermination camps that were in Poland. Dr. Barnes is professor emeritus of sociology at UIW.  His trips to Holocaust sites have taken him to Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, and Ukraine. He frequently writes columns for the San Antonio Express-News.

“TLC--Talk, Listen, Connect” Compassion Transformation Institute

3 pm – 4:45 pm.  SEC 2040 -2041

What if the most powerful tool for healing division, loneliness, and polarization was something profoundly simple? Talk. Listen. Connect.  The Charter for Compassion in pilot training with nearly 100 participants from around the world, found that in small groups and brief conversations, strangers found common ground. People shared what they loved. Others listened—deeply. And in those moments, community began to form.  The science is clear:  1. Strong social relationships reduce mortality risk more effectively than smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, diet, exercise, or blood pressure treatment. 2. The 80+ year Harvard Study of Adult Development confirms that strong relationships are the single greatest predictor of long-term happiness and well-being. 3. Human evolution is not simply “survival of the fittest,” but survival of the most connected.  TLC reclaims this truth. Kindness, compassion, and connection are not soft ideals.  They are biologically wired strengths.  Learn more of the institute here.  The process will be led by Sister Martha Ann Kirk, Th.D., Coordinator of the Compassionate Colleges and Universities Initiative of the Charter for Compassion.

 

INSPIRES Index, a Measure and a Motivator

5 - 6 pm SEC 2040 -2041

Through the ages religions have been some of the greatest contributors to peace, but also some of the greatest contributors to conflicts.  The Interfaith, Spiritual, Religious, and Secular Campus Climate Index, or INSPIRES Index is an assessment tool that measures, evaluates, and represents a campus’ efforts towards and commitment to establishing a welcoming climate for students of multiple worldviews. The Index was created using data gathered through the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS).  UIW has been an INSPIRES Campus Partner reflecting, assessing, and committing ourselves to ongoing improvement.  Come join in conversation in regard to the seven areas: Academic Engagement, Religious Accommodations , Space for Support and Expression, Institutional Structures, Institutional Behavior, Efforts to Reduce Negative Engagement, and Extracurricular Engagement.  How are we and how can we improve?   

Earth's Greatest Enemy, a film by Abby Martin  

7 pm SEC 2040 -2041

Join About Face South Texas for a screening and discussion of Abby Martin’s documentary, Earth’s Greatest Enemy. The film examines the environmental impact of the U.S. military, connecting pollution and contamination near San Antonio’s former Kelly Air Force Base with the broader consequences of military operations around the world. Bring friends for a conversation about militarism, environmental harm, and the communities affected. See the trailer.  Co-sponsored by Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, the Southwest Workers Union, and Oppressed Revolutionaries for Worker Power.   Contact: Jovanni Reyes <jovanni@aboutfaceveterans.org>

 Gratitude to our exhibitors

 See these exhibits and more in the UIW Student Engagement Center Concourse:

 About Face, Veterans Against War  South Texas with Veteran Tony Allevato, Veteran Chaplain Renee Sinicki, and Veteran Jovanni Reyes
 Bexar County--Moms Demand Action 

Pax Christi and Laudato Si, Catholic voices for peace and for sustainability

Charter for Compassion and Artistic Bridges  

Mass for Creation for United States Approved by the Holy See

The United States Church is very blessed to receive the approval of the USCCB Mass for Creation for English and Spanish from the Holy See.  Last year, Pope Leo XIV himself celebrated the First Mass for Creation on July 9, 2025.  The newly approved Mass for Creation for United States church is now available for use given the formulary and the lectionary which can be found in the USCCB website.  We thank all the Arch/Bishops and the faithful for supporting the cause to advocate for the mass that is available for the church in this part of the world.

Why is it important to celebrate the Feast of Creation?  We are creatures and we are not God.  All of the things on heaven and on earth belongs to our Creator.  As people of God, we are people of rituals. We move in habits.  We wake up in the morning according to what help us to move from one phase to another.  Some start their day in prayer, some start their day making coffee, some people start their day taking a bath and sing!  When we move in phases, our body gets prepared for what is to come or what state of the day are we in.  When someone is born, we gather and bless the baby and after a few weeks for Catholics, we baptize the baby to formally welcome him or her into our society of Christian faith that we believe exist in both heaven and earth.  We are people of ritual.  Through rituals, we function as one.  We unite ourselves towards a common awareness, function, and mission.  We feel, we move, we belong to each other by a common ritual.  What a blessing to be united with our Creator through the Eucharistic celebration with the awareness of our Creator as the center of our being. 

In this day and age, where there is a challenge not to be overwhelmed by the demands of our responsibilities, the desires of the world, the false needs of having more of the materials than having less but depth of meaning and relationships, we are called to go back to our roots.  We are called to connect to our Creator.  God created everything and he was pleased with everything which includes the evening and the morning (Gen 1:31).  Indeed, there is a time for everything.  God created the world in phases.  Every time God created and finished, God pause at the Creation and was please with it,

We are created in the image and likeness of God.  There is a time for everything.  We do not do everything all at once.  There is a power in reflecting, moving from one phase to another.

This is an invitation to all the Arch/Bishops, pastors and priests to pause and honor our Creator through the Mass for Caring for Creation.  

This year's Season of Creation that starts from September 1 and ends on October 4 is an opportunity to celebrate this liturgy to be mindful that we depend on God's Creation and more importantly we depend on our Creator who entrusted to us the care of our brothers and sisters.  We pause to contemplate that we are creatures and human being is not the Creator.  The Word of God care for all that are visible and invisible, and we are united as one through prayers, contemplation and actions.   We build relationships through time and through this Season of Creation, we are intentionally offering our prayers for the heaven and earth that holds us.  This year's season of creation is inspired by Ezekiel 47: 1- 12 which is for the whole church to contemplate having water as the literal source of life.  Given the ecological crisis where drought is the reality in a lot of cities of our world, we are called to be mindful of our practices that deplete our water source.  How is God calling us to ecological conversion?

In this Jubilee Year of Saint Francis, we are especially called to feel for our brother Earth, Sister Moon, Brother Trees, Brother Fire, Sister Water and all that we can see bearing in mind that God was pleased with them.  This year is another good example of using the Mass for Creation, knowing that Saint Francis is a man of peace who treated everything as his sister and brother.  Our World needs to be connected to a man of peace, Saint Francis and Christ, the Prince of our Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

How do we take care of our brother or sister?  How do you take care of your loved one?  We are bridges and we are peacemakers through the heart formed by our Creator as the center of our being.  We are called to love.  We are called to be nothing but to be made for love, the love of Christ who has given everything.

Reference:

Catholic Climate Covenant - Mass for Creation Explanation

USCCB Mass for Creation

When to use of the Mass for Creation

Mass for Creation on July 9, 2025 by Pope Leo XIV

Feast of Creation in Christ - World Christians

Season of Creation

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis

800th Anniversary of Canticle of the Creature

Evolution of Rituals

Groundswell Watch Party + Live Q&A by Climate Reality Project

From Climate Reality Project of San Antonio:  Regenerative Advocate Training

Empowering Your Voice & Participation in the Movement to Regenerate the Earth

Join Finian Makepeace, co-founder of Kiss the Ground and Executive Producer of Kiss the Ground, Common Ground, and Groundswell, for a live, 2-hour online training. The session will explore regenerative agriculture, the power of storytelling, and how our voices, relationships, skills, and influence can help create change. You don’t need to be an expert—just a willingness to participate.

 Invite friends, colleagues, and others who are interested in regenerative, low-water agriculture. Each of us can be a storyteller and advocate—sharing what we learn and bringing more people into this important movement.

A Q&A will follow, with additional seminars planned. Use QR code to RSVP for watching this documentary tomorrow. 

   

The Impact of Capitalism, Data Centers and Resource Intensive Industries to Ecological Crisis

If you are using any high-impact technology that makes use of AI where it consumes hundreds of thousands of gallons per day, carefully think how your technology footprint is contributing to the Climate Crisis.  According to the Data Center Map, there are more than 500 data centers in Texas, second only to Virginia. There are more than 4500 data centers in United States, 38% of the total in the world.  This will continue to grow, while these companies will search for where there is water and energy.  This growing development has the assumption that we have unlimited water, energy and we have unlimited noise capacity for the nature.  Our model of development only thinks of the false idea of human progress by speed, and convenience without thinking about the harm that we are doing to wild animals, water supply and to the environment.   These data centers are using potable water and connected directly from the grid.  There will be more data centers for development that are engineered not in the net-zero model but in the traditional way of business as usual.

United States is built as if there is an unlimited resources so that people can keep on building, developing and implementing new technologies with the idea that we have limitless energy, and resources.  The capitalism is built in a way that people will continue to consume and people will continue to buy, produce, and the cycle of consumerism and capitalism goes on.  This leads to the throw away culture.  The product that are being produced by companies are not made to last.  Even the workers do not know how to fix anymore and would prefer buying new things that are cheaper than fix a broken appliance.

The National Weather Service has issued drought information statements for Texas is already facing drought in a Corpus Christi, Austin/San Antonio, Lubbock, El Paso/Santa Mesa, NM.  The fresh water supply in these cities are in crisis. To cite an example, Corpus Christi's industries consume more then 60% of water, which is more than the residential segment.  Data centers require various types of cooling system which includes water. Another resource that these data centers need is the energy.  These data centers need to be connected to the grid in order to be operational.  What happens in the winter when the residential needs more energy?  Therefore, the data centers can accumulate more carbon footprint which the organizations and people in whole world have been mitigating and solving for decades.

There are a lot of talks on Data Centers for AI. We need to have a conversation with our legislators and make sure that there are policies around the water usage, and even moratorium especially in the cities where there is already a water crisis or drought. If the problem with the refineries, plastic industries, etc are consuming water, the data centers will also need a lot of water. The water source for the data centers can come from the same line as the consumers unless the companies recycle or find way to harvest water from some other source. The issue is that there is no transparency and accountability by these industries to report how much water they are using and wasting. The federal government has no policies or restrictions as to how much water do these industries can consume.

Are the use of these non-renewable natural resources sky's the limit? For as long as there is something that the industries can extract from the earth, we let them extract the resources. This will continue to happen until there is a true conversion of heart from capitalism and the throw-away culture in United States of America.

Texas is the # 2 state in United States of America with the highest number of data center, second to Virginia. We need to rethink how these data centers can impact our life quality due to air pollution, noise pollution, carbon footprint due to energy and space consumption, and water usage. We need to take action by talking to our legislators to put policies in our neighborhood before it become so degraded and unlivable because of data centers, refineries, fracking, nuclear weapons, that are evidently in Texas? We have a moral responsibility to take actions, to not allow the people in power to destroy our planet and not to take away the chance for the young and future generations to have a livable planet.

Our world has limits and we are called to be one with creation. With this Jubilee Year of Saint Francis, we are calling all people to reflect on Laudato Si' and the reality of our world. What are we called to do in this time when there is so much destruction brought by war, greed, violence, individualism added to the throw-away culture and capitalism that speed up the carbonization of our planet?

Article 106 of Laudato Si':

Men and women have constantly intervened in nature, but for a long time this meant being in tune with and respecting the possibilities offered by the things themselves. It was a matter of receiving what nature itself allowed, as if from its own hand. Now, by contrast, we are the ones to lay our hands on things, attempting to extract everything possible from them while frequently ignoring or forgetting the reality in front of us. Human beings and material objects no longer extend a friendly hand to one another; the relationship has become confrontational. This has made it easy to accept the idea of infinite or unlimited growth, which proves so attractive to economists, financiers and experts in technology. It is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods, and this leads to the planet being squeezed dry beyond every limit. It is the false notion that “an infinite quantity of energy and resources are available, that it is possible to renew them quickly, and that the negative effects of the exploitation of the natural order can be easily absorbed”

The economic system in United States requires the businesses to produce more, and for consumers to buy more and extract more raw materials every change in season or every financial year.  The industries measure their success by revenue. The WallStreet companies measure their strengths by dollar value.  This world economic model is causing the world's ecological crisis.

This economic model caused the crisis that we are in now.  We cannot be living the same lifestyle with the rate of taking more resources than ever before from the planet that continues to degrade and diminish its resources.  The planet is failing to replenish its resources while the war and the climate crisis also speed up the extinction that is happening before our eyes.   This is an invitation to join peaceful and sustainable organizations like Laudato Si' Movement that you can collaborate with and make socio-ecologically sustainable solutions possible for living beings of our earth.  It takes the whole human race to work on these steps towards a carbon net-zero 2050 which is in our generations and make a livable future possible.

Call to Action: 

Educate yourself on Pope Leo’s First Encyclical on the use of technology, AI and socio-ecological Justice: Magnifica Humanitas: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

Pray: Catholic Climate Covenant will host a prayer service outside EPA and deliver the letters on Friday July 24. Join us  for the prayer service or pray from where you are.

Have a conversation with  your legislators on putting policies and moratorium on the data centers appropriate to the needs of the people and the habitat in the areas impacted by Data Centers.

Call EPA to Protect Our Common Home::

https://mailchi.mp/catholicclimatecovenant.org/advocacy-landing-page

Ponder and discern your use of AI.  Is it necessary or are there ecologically just alternatives?  How is your use of technology impact the vulnerable such as Creation, neighbor, the poor and the indigenous.  

Read More:  

Laudato Si' from Vatican

Laudato Si' Movement

Magnificas Humanita

5 Ways Data Centers Endangered Texas and the Whole Word

Texas Data Center Policy Guide

The Sixth Mass Extinction

Global Ecological Events in Summer and Early Fall

SUMMER EVENTS

JUNE 5: World Environment Day

The world is seeing the effects of Climate Crisis and every action matters. The world does not delay on its impact but show the humanity of how we take care of the earth.  Denial is not the solution but to shift our mind to a new lifestyle and thinking. 

The transformative power of working together towards the planet healing is possible.  Clean energy and sustainable lifestyle is possible.  Join the call to action to make joy renewable:

• Start a conversation
• Fund a solution
• Shift a policy
• Share a story
• Make your moves in ways that move others

 #WorldEnvironmentDay 

JULY CHALLENGE: Save the World by Refusing Plastic for One Month

According to Ocean Blue project, there are 400 million tons of plastic that are produced globally and 8–11 million tons of plastic enters the ocean. The microplastics eventually end up being eaten by the creatures and into the food system.  

Do you want to save the world from plastics?  Challenge yourself not to buy products with plastic packaging, build a habit of buying eco-friendly products or patronize sustainable packaged produce..  Join the plastic free July challenge here: Plastic-Free July Challenge 

Y o u  c a n  m a k e  a  d I f f e r e n c e.

 

SEPTEMBER 1 - OCTOBER 4: Theme Living Water in Season of Creation

Season of Creation (September 1 - October 4) is one of the major feasts celebrated by the whole Christian Community, including the Catholic faithful.  Laudato Si' Movement serves on the steering committee for the Season of Creation observance.   The Season of Creation has a designated theme each year.  Last year's theme was Peace, and this year's theme is Living Water. 

According to United Nations, 1.8 billion people still do not have drinking water on-premises and 3.4 billion people still not able to have a good sanitation system.  If you live in the cities where there is a heavy industries such as oil and gas that consumes billions of gallons of water, without conservation, water resilience and infrastructure investments and improvement strategies, the cities can soon face a water crisis which some of the cities are now in such state.  According to Country Adventures, drought, though not new, is in several states like Texas. California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Nevada.

Given the life that water gives and the necessity for water to sustain life, this is an invitation to reflect on what sector and industries does water go?  Something to reflect is to ponder on what is God calling us during this time of our age, in terms of our lifestyle to have sustainable water?  If you belong to a city with oil and gas, the extraction requires billions of gallons of water.  Do the benefits from oil and gas overproduction outweigh the suffering caused by the lack of water?  Or vice versa? The reality shows us that the cities are suffering from water shortage, and hurting the family from illnesses such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, premature births among others? These are documented research and we know the truth.  This Season of Creation with its theme of Living Water, calls everyone to find ways to raise awareness on our call to action to have sustainable water, take care of waterways, conserve water, to be an advocate for the life-giving water.

 

Saint Anthony Catholic High School Reports on Compost and Garden

Saint Anthony Catholic High School is the recipient of the Gardening class package from Gardopia as the school's award sponsored by Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) in collaboration with University of Incarnate Word's Brainpower Schools during the Season of Creation of 2025.  SACHS won the raffle in the artworks that was displayed in Padre Margil World Heritage Center.  JPIC through Sister Marylou invited Climate Reality Project of San Antonio through Ms. Darshana Gupte to get the composting project a reality for the Catholic school.  In turn with the help of the Eco Centro Collaborative network of resources from Climate Reality, JPIC, and San Antonio Composting, the composting was offered and SACHS was glad to be the first to implement among the Catholic schools in San Antonio for this endeavor.  The Climate Reality Project opened the door for the San Antonio Composting to make resources available for the school with the support of the City of San Antonio and the training of the students provided by the San Antonio Composting and Gardopia.  SACHS has the Earth Angels enthusiastic to get this system working especially supported by Mrs. Jacqulyne Esteves as the adviser/project leader.  JPIC is grateful to all these non-profit organizations working together to make this project a community oriented and collaborative project for the care of our common home and particularly making our youth a big part of this project.

Now, that the Composting project and Gardening Classes have been completed, Earth Angels through SACHS Principal Ms. Patricia Ramirez is happy to share their report on composting.  Through this report, we can also celebrate the biggest global program on the advocacy on composting, which is May 3 - 9 as the International Compost Awareness Week.  This year's theme is "Compost: Feed the Soil that Feed Us."

Article by Earth Angels 

Introduction

St. Anthony Catholic High School Earth Angels Environmental Club has partnered with Climate Reality Corps, San Antonio Composting Project, and Gardopia Gardens to create our high school's first compost beds and a school garden. The club is sponsored by Mrs. Jacqulyne Esteves (lead) and Ms. Ava Liebentritt who are both full time teachers at the St. Anthony High School Campus. We are proud to announce that as of March 2026, the garden and compost are fully functional and are integrated into our school lives. Service is a core mission here at St. Anthony, and students are encouraged to give back to their community every single day. The mission of service is at the center of our club and guides each project we decide to take part in.

According to the Environmental Protections Agency, it is estimated that of the U.S methane emissions, 17% of the emissions come directly from landfill waste.1 While our students cannot reform all carbon emissions from buildings nor automobiles, we felt that eliminating landfill waste could be a direct initiative for our community. Based on our projected data we can save almost 800lbs of waste each school year from the landfill. 1 ton of dry waste roughy produces 143 Lbs of methane. This initiative will not only halt methane emissions from our school but will educate students on how to compost. This The compost project was granted to us through Darshana Gupte, Chair of the San Antonio Climate Reality Chapter, and we were assisted by Christiana Rodgers from the San Antonio Composting Project. In December, students assembled four outdoor composting beds near the school garden. The leadership members of the club then performed a wasted audit to gauge the knowledge of composting among current students. 

See results below:

Students are now composting after each lunch and composting the waste that the cafeteria staff would normally throw away. On average, the cafeteria staff is composting 20 lbs a week of unused products.

We hope to use the compost in our school garden for future crops. This closed loop cycle will ensure the future of our garden, the health of students, and a growing connection with nature.

Financial Gain

Composting at our school can provide us with many financial benefits, including providing source of fertile soil that leads to less trash being thrown out, reducing the number of dumpsters that we need and in turn the cost of STA’s facilities. To elaborate, having fertile soil is necessary for the overall health of our garden. This leads to healthier foods that we can use in school lunches, decreasing the costs of purchasing ingredients, which is the main goal of this garden. Additionally, composting allows us to dispose of food scraps other than in our dumpsters. Without the several pounds of food each day, we may be able to rent fewer dumpsters, which would save us a lot of money. Also, besides the many positive environmental aspects, having a garden is also something that would attract many people to our school, which would subsequently increase our enrollment and our financial gain.

The Garden

The growth of the garden will bring a green atmosphere to SACHS. We could have a cooler and more beautiful area instead of a blank space just with grass. By growing the garden, we brought an experience about a sustainable non-profit business from SACHS to everybody. We apply what we learn in real life. This project is a symbol of environmental sustainability in the STA community.

Having a garden adds to the St. Anthony Catholic High School experience, allowing us to be better stewards of the Earth. It ensures that we can give back to the environment in the way that it gives to us. By giving us easy ways to waste and reuse food scraps, we can be more efficient with the resources that we use. This wouldn’t be possible without our generous donors, Climate Reality Project, and Gardopia Gardens. As a Catholic high school, we believe that God’s creation is to be protected. Therefore, it is our duty to do the most we can to ensure that our environment is being cared for. Our solution is to develop a bountiful garden that continues the longevity of our mission as a catholic community.

Educational advantages

One of the more common things that some schools lack is teaching valuable life skills. St. Anthony Catholic High School is able to provide at least three of these through our garden. The first educational value aligns with one of our core values. Service. The SACHS garden was brought into reality by our own students. We have put our time and effort into this garden, just as our school teaches us to always do. Another educational advantage has to do with our students having an interest in the environment they live in. If our students are more educated about the environment, they will be able to inform their peers. An educated student body is a more active student body who will want to create change in their community. The final educational  advantage that our garden supplies us with is the beauty of nature. As a Catholic school, we want our students to recognize the beauty of God’s creations and this garden is a prime example of that. Our SACHS garden provides us with so many benefits as shown in this report which is why it means so much to us, our students, and those we work with.

Saint Anthony Catholic High School has been featured in Telemundo: https://www.telemundosanantonio.com/video/noticias/local/pequenas-lombrices-una-gran-mision-jovenes-transforman-residuos-en-vida/2493433/

1 https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas

Read More:

The Compost Story (Full Video) by Kiss The Ground
Composting Council on Education
Composting Policy Resource Hub

Caring with our Hands, Education and Community Building

San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in United States that is working very hard on sustainability collaborating across different organizations and communities.  According to World's Population Review, it is the 6th largest city in United States.  It is also one of the cities committed to Paris Climate Agreement and has a goal to be 80% carbon-neuttral by 2040 and carbon-net zero by 2050.

Gardopia is one of these organizations working on sustainability in San Antonio.  I met Sherry in Pearl's farmers market about 4 years ago.  I met her again as a teacher in gardening classes, two years ago.  With her energy and enthusiasm in gardening and sustainability, I asked her if they could work with one of our UIW Brainpower Schools.  We had a Season of Creation artwork raffle in October 2025, and Saint Anthony Catholic High-School won the raffle.

Six weeks before Earth Day, and we are getting ready to celebrate with you to care for God's Creation.  In this article preparing for the big Earth month of April, we will know more about the greening of San Antonio and beyond given this year's Saint Anthony Catholic High School's community garden's facilitator, and teacher from the Gardopia, Ms. Sherry Lim.

Here's our conversation:

Sr. Marylou: There are so many ways that people define sustainability.  While some people find it hard to answer what does it really mean.  It will be good to hear your thoughts on Sustainability.  

Sherry: It is about thinking of future generations, reusing resources for the (sake of the) future.  It is about how everything works in a cycle.  For example, a soil can be used for 3 generations.  Plastic has no cycle.  Water has a cycle.  Through sustainability, we are making sure that we have resources for the future.

Sr. Marylou: I am sure you are working on a lot of projects and programs, what are your top three programs or projects in Gardopia on sustainability?

Sherry: We have 75 schools in 10 districts of San Antonio that are in Learning Program.  We are teaching them how to grow food organically.  There are two Private schools and the rest are public/charter schools.  These are mostly from the outreach from the Physical Education and Health Director of the District. 

The director is invested in teaching gardening in every school.  The classes include the teaching part and the gardening materials.

Sr. Marylou:  It will be great if all the Catholic schools have sustainability in their curriculum or have these garden classes. 

What is your second?

Sherry:  We also have the Tree Canopy project with a half a Million dollar grant from the Hispanic Access Foundation. This program aims to distribute 1,000 trees for schools.  Any schools can get 20 trees with 2 years of tree care from Gardopia.  It also comes with 12 gardening classes, and irrigation for the trees.  The Gardopia staff will check the tree every two weeks.  As of now, we have three hundred trees planted and several community gardens.

This also supports any community garden. 

Sr. Marylou: You make it easy for people. You check on these trees for two years plus they get the classes.  If the organization is a school or if they have community garden, they can apply for this grant.  

Sherry: Yes.  That is correct…

Sr. Marylou:  What is your third?

Sherry: You're going to love this.  We also have the Agrihood.  There is a property donated by a private individual.  The New Braunsfels street has growing concerns where people live on the streets. The donor cares for the people on the streets. Gardopia plans to build tiny homes using shipping containers.  The rent is going to be minimal with 6-8 members per house.  The community will have a farm which the members will work on.  The launching of this project depends on the permit that Gardopia is waiting from the city.  

We already have a model. 

Sr. Marylou: That is exciting.  This is the same concept of Dorothy Day's Catholic Worker House.  Peter Maurin and Dorothy Day worked together.  Peter was a farmer and put sustainability in the system by having a farm to supplement the Catholic Worker House.  The concept is that the people work on the farm and the crops from the farm supplements the needs of the community.  

What about the support system for the people, knowing that there is a reason why people live on the streets?  There are issues like mental health that needs to be looked into.

Sherry: The New Braunfels street has a lot of social services for the people.  There are centers on this street that give away food, and schools have been converted to mental health clinics. There are centers that give toiletries, and clean clothes. During the freeze or winter, you will not see any person on the streets.

We also are in contact with Mark Wittig.  He is a great resource and person.  We work together in some projects.

Sr. Marylou: Definitely, the Town Twin has a lot of support services onsite... and Mark has a great plan for that community.

Knowing that sustainability is a huge endeavor, what international organizations are you connected with to keep your organization going?

Sherry: We are connected to United Way, CommuniCare, Spurs for funding, San Antonio Rodeo who gives funding to support school, HEB Foundation, School Garden Support Organization also supports our work.

We also partnered with Japanese schools so that their teachers can also learn how to grow food in school.  

Sr. Marylou: This is interesting.  Their teachers have to come here to learn something about teaching?  Tell me more about it.

Sherry: Their teachers know how to teach but we teach the process of what we do in school which is growing the food in school and incorporating this into classes or curriculum.  

Sr. Marylou: Are there any organizations similar to Gardopia?

Sherry: There are programs that supports sustainability for communities like Farm to School Program, and Peas in Austin

Sr. Marylou: Are there any conferences that are available related to these programs?

The Farm to School has a conference.

Sr. Marylou: What or who are your inspiration?

Sherry: I love listening to radio station with the host Bob Wester.  I grew up with my mother turning on the radio station.  She is not into gardening but I think she wants me to listen to something that I can learn from.  He is an organic gardener.  He teaches about it.  He was the owner of Shades of Green.  It recently closed.  

Sr. Marylou: Is the station segment still available?  

Sherry: Yes, I believe so. I also like the Chefs farm to table. 

Sr. Marylou: What do you like to grow?  

Sherry: Grow what you love.  I grow dijon radish in winter, and also Napa cabbage.  These are my favorites.  

Sr. Marylou: Why people should work on sustainability?

Sherry: Everybody has a kind heart.  It is human nature to care.  If we destroy the future, it is not fair... 

If people take time to care, to lessen the pain.  We can do things like composting, saving rain water, growing plant.  Everybody can do this.

Sr. Marylou: What about those in small spaces like apartments?

Sherry: People can still grow plants like hydroponics, pot gardening, and composting.  People in small spaces or apartments can use vermi-composting and layer it with top soil.  Then, they can use the soil on top of the container.  The earthworms only want to be in the deep so the soil on the top can be used for the plants.

Sr. Marylou: What about those who are afraid of pests when composting?

Sherry:  That is the purpose of the soil.  Animals do not like to eat dirt.  If people cover the compost with enough soil, it will not attract pests. 

Sr. Marylou: Do you have any activities that you participate or connect related to Systemic Change?

Sherry: Apart from what we are doing?  education?

Sr. Marylou: Yes (smile)

Sherry: Connecting with Food Policy Council.  They educate on how to get involved.  They tell you and advice on the laws.  They will inform you on how to do actions and to bring leader to tackle how food is being tackled.

We are involved or connected with Idea East.  They want every school to have a farm.  

There is also work by Greenies, and ECO Centro similar to us.

Sr. Marylou:  How is your team here in Gardopia?  How many people are working in Gardopia?

Sherry: We have 17 staff and we are hiring.  We have educator team, steward team who is doing the hard work of digging the mulch, driving the tractors, etc.  We have the administrators who are the working on assistance and grant writers.  Dominic is great with grants.   We also have the videographers/photographers and bookkeeper.

Sr. Marylou: Thank you Sherry it was a pleasure to be with you.  Thank you for what you all are doing.

Note that at some point of our conversation, we had a guest from the street and she wanted to have a sustainable bag.  She was willing to wait and after our conversation, Sherry looked for a good bag to give.  Sherry gave the bag that she needed after we found her. She knows the lady's story.  The lady likes being around the area and around the garden.

With this conversation, we have learned how caring starts with forming young minds with practical ways to love nature, responsible parenthood and education system, using our hands to grow, educating ourselves and others, and building supportive and compassionate communities.  We can all take time to care with these possibilities.  We can take these possibilities into actions that make the solutions a reality. 

The problem with Climate Crisis can be overwhelming and it takes all of us.  We can grieve with what is happening.  However, we cannot stop with grief.  The children and future generations rely on our actions.  And as George Henry Lewes says, the only cure to grief is action.  One way of serving the vulnerable is by making responsible choices.  If we choose sustainable and conscientious living where we think of people suffering before choosing an unsustainable products or practices such as single use plastics, and styrofoam, wasting food, throwing things without fixing or reusing, we will end up with more carbon footprint speeding up the carbonization of our planet. Similarly, if we learn how to grow our own food or we understand the heart of growing food, we care more about the planet and people as we know how everything takes time and we nurture what we care for.  As we learn to care for our Common Home, we can move from a throw away culture to a culture of care.

"Ecological culture cannot be reduced to a series of urgent and partial responses to the immediate problems of pollution, environmental decay and the depletion of natural resources. There needs to be a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality which together generate resistance to the assault of the technocratic paradigm." - LS 111

Suggested Reading:

https://www.gardopiagardens.org/

https://decarbonization.visualcapitalist.com/decarbonization-targets-for-the-largest-u-s-utilities/

https://www.ktsa.com/texas-gardening-with-bob-webster-on-demand/

https://www.earthday.org/action/

https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/DRS/Community-Initiatives/Strategic-Plans/SA-Climate-Ready

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html