Eco-Sites
Events
All videos were created and produced by S. Marylou Rodriguez CCVI.
Friday, September 1, 2023
Season of Creation
Happy Season of Creation!
From September 1- October 4, we are celebrating the Season of Creation by uniting worldwide in prayer and action. This year’s theme is “Let Justice and Peace Flow.” Here are some resources that might be of interest. Let’s take this season as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to be good stewards of God’s creation.
(a) Season of Creation Prayer. Creator of All, from your communion of love life sprung forth like a mighty river and the whole cosmos came into being. On this Earth of overflowing love, the Word was made flesh and went forth with the life-giving waters proclaiming peace and justice for all creation. Read more or Print the prayer card by clicking HERE
(b) Activities in San Antonio. A superb CCVI inter-ministerial team led by S. Marylou Rodriguez has created a variety of experiences that are accessible to all. See the program by clicking HERE
(c) Activities in St. Louis & beyond. The Seeds of Justice Network team offers a series of resources for prayer, action, and participation in caring for the common home. Read
(d) Eco-sites in San Antonio (Short-films Series). Sisters Miriam, Christi, Martha Ann and Marylou talk about some of the living sites around us. Videos
(e) Pope Francis' Message. 2023 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. See more
(f) Our Sisters' Sharing. S. Martha Ann Kirk shares about Sister Water (see here), and S. Marylou Rodriguez shares about the care of the common home activities at the UIW (see page 5).
Blessings!
Saturday, August 12, 2023
The Manna from Heaven: Graces Enough for Everyone
I met Juan, sitting on the floor of the parish I usually go to. He was charging his phone. I asked him if he has company, he said, he is alone. He is from Venezuela. Are you alright? I asked him. I just have the courage to ask him amidst my poor Spanish. Besides the Gospel of that day was about feeding the multitude and the first reading talked about "manna from heaven". God will not forsake His people but the people must seek and ask for God's blessings instead of complain. After calling several Spanish-speaking Sisters whom I know, they were able to talk to him so I can understand his situation, I finally got his story at least good enough for me to know what can help him other than leave him on the floor, looking helpless.
He left the Catholic Charities for a job. The painting job only lasted
for two weeks. He has a friend in Florida but could not help him to
stay in his house because of his friend's family. He missed his court
date in Florida. He is in San Antonio, but he has been in several places
according to the church staff who was also trying to look for help for
him. He wants to be deported. The church staff was also busy with
the demands of the church obligations and the parishioners that they needed to
look after. The city of San Antonio has not called them yet
regarding the situation of Juan. He showed me $10 in his pocket. I
added what I barely have. We have a gracious God, in Jesus Christ, who
provided the multitude if I can give what I have. Juan told me that
the Catholic Charities Shelter cannot accept him anymore because he has left
their custody. I called Haven for Hope but unfortunately, they do not
accept refugees there. There is one hope that I can advise
him. On very few occasions in the past, I volunteered in the Greyhound bus
station where the Raices and Interfaith Coalition tirelessly welcome and give
sandwiches, backpacks, and advise the migrants and refugees about the next bus
to get into. With the help of his cellphone, he can look up on how
to go to Greyhound Bus Station. There are volunteers there who can
further assist him. He agreed to go to the station I
suggested.
The system is overwhelmed by the refugees and immigrants who are coming to
United States. Especially in Texas borders where the refugees without
families are left to the situation of taking chances of what the system can
provide. Juan's friend is not able to help and still migrants like Juan took
chances of travelling from one country to another to seek refuge.
Perhaps, they are hopeless and see United States as their only hope. The
refugees are coming here because they feel lost, climate change, dying in their
countries without necessary assistance, civil unrest, government instability,
war, drugs, and violence.
I can see in the news that in European countries, families are taking in
refugees and immigrants. The system in United States is mostly working
through non-profit organizations, government, and non-government
organizations. The refugees are given a court date that they must comply
depending on what the refugees told the immigration officer, they will have to
appear in a specific place where their case will be heard. There might be
cases when refugees do not have money to buy a ticket to go to the place of the
court hearing. I occasionally volunteer in Catholic Charities, where they
cater 40, 50, 100, even more than 700 refugees, asylum seekers in a day.
Every day, the Catholic Charities shelters are flooded with people waiting for
their next destination. They cannot stay in temporary shelters and thus,
the work of the staff is to get them to their families, friends, or temporary
shelters. There were occasions when there were no shelters to place the
refugees.
The long-term solution to the root causes of this migration crisis requires a foreign economic policy, political will, conversion of leaders to work for the common good, our continuous conversion to change our lifestyle to put an end to increasing risks brought by the climate crisis, and an open heart, mind, and hand to assist what we can with prudence about the human trafficking that could be at large and abusing the vulnerable people including the migrants. In case of Human Trafficking, please report to National Hotline 1-888-373-7888. It is a crime to enslaved people for work, sex, and money. I would not let that young man to be trafficked. I would rather give him the right resource. This is the manna from God to have compassion. Compassion is similar to fish and loaves.
Mother Teresa said, "if you cannot feed a hundred,
then feed just one." Sometimes, we are burdened by a lot of issues
and challenges that we face. We can tackle them by attending to what we
can do at a given moment. God can give us one person in front of us. In
this case, I saw Juan. I have the option of ignoring him, leaving him
looking helpless. However, I chose to direct him to the right
resource. There are resources available in places where we are. We
must be aware of where the resources are. Give the people the
options. Jesus Christ worked with the resources that are available and
offered it up to God. It is human's work to cooperate with God's graces,
to humble ourselves that we need help, to receive the graces, and to be
transformed.
We could easily be trapped in the idea
of complaining that there are a lot of responsibilities, a lot of pending work,
and a pile of things to do. God does not want us to make miracles out of
nothing because it is God's work to multiply and to change hearts so others
will give too. Each of us has been given Juan in our lives. God is asking
us what we have and offer it up. We have the option to focus on the good
things we can do and offer it up. The harvest is plentiful, and the
laborers are few. We have the option to open our eyes, heart, and use our
hands and feet to put our time and resources in the service of others.
United States is a country full of talents, resources, opportunities, and dreams.
Wherever you are, there are five loaves and two fish.
What blessings do you have to offer today?
You could be that one person that Jesus has been waiting
for to give the fish and loaves.
Monday, August 7, 2023
BrainPower Connection
Notes which accompanied the presentation given by Sr. Martha Ann Kirk for the BrainPower School educators, Aug. 8, 2023.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ suffering . . . seeks relief at your hands.” ~The founding call of the Incarnate Word Sisters, words written by Bishop Claude Dubuis, 1866.
"Santa Rosa will open Dec. 1, 1869. All persons regardless of nationality or creed are welcome." The first public statement of the Incarnate Word Sisters at the time they were founded in1869 was one of inclusion. www.amormeus.org
“Incarnate Word Sisters and Social Justice,” an exhibit, a booklet https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:25c1bda3-82c0-3a47-81ac-6486de7f914a and a possible program of dramatic stories are available. These are sponsored by “Humanities Research for the Public Good, a part of the Council of Independent Colleges” supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Children under 12 may enjoy this "Playbook" on the Incarnate Word Sisters https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A966603fe-1015-362e-81bf-98c07ee55d09 also available in Spanish https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:e139ba47-64cd-39eb-9fea-4ffe426f02c2
Let us learn from and be inspired by Sister Pauline Fierro, a compassionate and courageous educator featured on KSAT “History Untold” https://www.ksat.com/video/news/2021/12/31/sisters-of-charity-of-the-incarnate-word-prominent-leaders-in-education-for-hispanics-in-west-side-community/
San Antonio has a City Council resolutation to be a "City of Compassion." This is an invitation to each of us to live and grow in compassion for ourselves and others.
Join “CompassionateUSA: Growing, Healing, Leading” discussions, whether for Professional Development Hours or personal renewal. Six Thursdays, 7 to 8 pm, on zoom, Sept. 14 – Oct. 19, free. CompassionateUSA is a learning journey designed to teach self-compassion and community well-being that honors our common humanity and affirms the beauty of our differences. We seek to help people develop foundational skill-sets, a shared vocabulary, and a common practice for all people to ultimately decrease violence and trauma and increase individual and collective healing. www.compassionateUSA.org. Please register on GivePulse https://uiw.givepulse.com/event/382585-CompassionateUSA-Healing-Growing-Leading or e-mail or call Sr. Martha Ann Kirk kirk@uiwtx.edu 210-883-5934
Invite young women, 9th to 12th grade to join our growing Young Women’s Global Leadership Program, developing their leadership skills as they make friends and exchange ideas with youth in Kenya, Uganda, Kosovo, Mexico, and San Antonio in our monthly virtual gatherings and participate in projects. Learn more https://sites.google.com/view/uiwywglps/home Contacts: Erika Arredondo-Haskins ehaskins@student.uiwtx.edu; cell/text 210-865-2338 or Sr. Martha Ann kirk@uiwtx.edu
Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 is the Season of Creation. Please consider the possibility of your students being in the BrainPower Schools art context based on the theme for this year "Let Justice Roll Like a Mighty River." There are oppportunities for the Pilgrimage on San Antonio River sponsored by the Archdiocese, and to learn on the UIW campus from the Headwaters Sanctuary, the Solar House, the Community Garden, and the Pollinator Garden.
"United to End the Death Penalty" International Day Against the Death Penalty, Oct. 10, the Catholic Mobilizing Network Against the Death Penalty, UIW DEI, Texas Pax Christi, the Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty invite all to a Noon Vigil, evening supper, and panel with Monique Coleman, sister of a death row exoneree; Mitesh Patel, son of a murder victim; Dr. Doshie Piper, Professor of Criminal Justice. Register for events. https://uiw.givepulse.com/event/380846-United-to-End-the-Death-Penalty After the Incarnate Word Sisters experienced the brutal rape and murder of our Sr. Patricia Anne Kelly, we had a chance to met the family of the man who killed her. We have worked against the death penalty. It is not the way to lessen violence
For information on the Season of Creation and Sustainability, see https://saccvi.blogspot.com/p/common-home.html
Two promotional films for the Season of Creation events in San Antonio: https://youtu.be/BnOMOUkwTXk and a shorter one https://youtu.be/GhOlDldnDJk
Season of Creation film series
Compostaje (Spanish): https://youtu.be/JdHU6NFlTJ4
Cooking
Natural/Organic from garden to table: https://youtu.be/DP_zM_1_Vlg
Composting: https://youtu.be/mhNosjqFtuQ
Pollinator
Garden: https://youtu.be/GuU4leSa_oo
Solar
House https://youtu.be/LAP8qJbLkGg
UIW
Community Garden Tour: https://youtu.be/QV8S7a-16SU
Community
Garden: https://youtu.be/sWc6Ab0wj-o
Blue
Hole: https://youtu.be/zYe0HzlWvLQ
Recycling: https://youtu.be/nM5RzBmuvEA
Reusables:
https://youtu.be/bZv6BYdTsBM
Care of Our Common Home taken 2 years ago (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle): https://youtu.be/whw1h0sE2b0
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
July is a Plastic-Free Month
By Sr. Marylou Rodriguez, CCVI
Proverbs 1:7 states that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Our knowledge and wisdom help us to become happy, healthy, and holy. We strive to do what is right, good, and true. We exist to uphold the dignity of every creature in this world. We take care of what God has entrusted to us. When we become aware of the reality, then, this becomes our basis for what we need to do. We do not know where we are going if we do not know where we are going to start.
July is considered as the plastic-free month to advocate for a period in our year to make this world free of plastic pollution through our actions. Since the time that I have been advocating for plastic-free life which starts by doing something concrete, I committed myself that at least I will be able to refuse contributing to plastics in our world. I still have a few things to ponder so my life will truly be single-use plastic-free. The goal is either progressive change or better yet transformation. I have already been transformed that plastic-free life is a life of freedom. There will always be something better. Start with what is possible and what you can do.
Some practices or good habits that I have developed are carrying reusable straw, utensils, sports bottle for drinking, refuse the single-use plastics in the supermarket or groceries by using my own, less meat and more vegetables, go for products or goods that have less packaging or no packaging such as opting to choose loose fruits than pre-packaged fruits in plastics, eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets than detergent in plastics, etc. If I do not have the options of buying something with packaging, I use products that are packaged in biodegraable, earth-friendly bag or reusable container than in plastics or styrofoam. However, some supermarkets do not have this biodegradable option, and thus, there is still some work to be done. I also encourage my friends and famiy to do the same.
What are the motivations for a plastic-free life? The plastics and styrofoam are non-biodegradable that eventually end up in landfill, ocean, or incinerator. These contain harmful chemicals that when burned or when ingested may cause health issues. The production of these materials requires a lot of carbon footprint (i.e. plastics are made from petroleum), and thus, this is a big contributor to Climate Change. Since, it takes hundreds of years for these materials to decompose, we are saying to this world to accept the trash for that long for us to live in the convenience that we are used to. It is for the oceans, landfills, our environment and all the creatures including humans that are impacted in all these spaces when we throw something that are designed to last for a long time. You can find out the truth about what happens to plastics when we ingest it or have been exposed to its chemicals. There are studies that are being conducted and have been conducted about its danger. The next right action to do is to avoid using any of these as much as possible and encourage others to do the same.
I was walking in one of the trails in San Antonio coming from Phil Hardberger Park going to Salado Creek, when I saw plenty of plastic bottles, containers, including styro-foam packaging in the creek. Once we get storms, and rains, the trash will eventually will be swept into the river and then, the ocean. Being a good citizen, I reported it to the City of San Antonio's Parks and Recreation. The staff of the Parks and Recreation said that they organize volunteer clean-ups to go after the trash that gets accumulated especially when there is a rain or flood. As the Little Prince said, "you become responsible for what you've tamed". In this case, we have to tame ourselves of the use of plastics and styrofoam and in essence, we become responsible for it. We do not want to keep on seeing trash in our neighborhood nor keep on doing the clean-up. If you are doing the clean-up, you will know at some point, that it must stop from the root cause.
The trash next to the trail going to Salado Creek
The plastics, styrofoam, and other trash along the creek
Take the challenge to have a plastic-free July or better yet a healthy lifestyle by having plastic-free life and be part of the solution to solve Climate Change and the plastic pollution: Plastic Free July – Be Part of the Plastic Pollution Solution.
Learn more about how the plastic end up in the oceans and its cost: The Ocean Cleanup.
If you have any suggestions or comments on how to have a (single-use) plastic-free life, please post a comment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)