Social Justice
Water is life.....
How far must you walk to a drink of water? Do you go to the kitchen and turn a faucet? Do you walk to the center of town and draw water from the well? Or must you walk 1-2 miles or more with several large containers to get water from a river or spring fed lake, carry them back 1-2 miles or more to your home? This water is yours to use but just for a day.
For many years we have been learning how to care for our home through understanding more deeply our cosmic journey that carries us to the present. This has led us to understand better what we are doing that is not beneficial to our earth home planet. From there we built a passive solar house in Orland, Maine, used local wood for heating in an energy efficient stove and began the process of growing our own food without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Forty years later we moved to Bangor, Maine and had a one floor solar house built with all the savings in the way the structure is built. We continue to raise some of our food such as corn, tomatoes, lettuce, squash, beans and peas. We planted several fruit trees - elderberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, pear, rhubarb and an apple tree that will be grafted next year with several varieties. All is surrounded with a varied array of wild flowers, annuals and perennials.
We are very fortunate to walk a few steps to the kitchen and flip on the tap for all the water in the household. We water our gardens from an outdoor tap. Rain water is collected in 55 gal. tanks (3 of them) to use as an additional recycling of this precious gift. Now this gift is threatened from pollution and chemical waste as well as the dangerous practice of fracking for fossil fuel extraction. Recently the First Nations Peoples of Maine have come forward to protect the multiple rivers and lakes of this State and call on all of us to see the water as sacred not only for us but for all earth beings. At present environmental protection laws are being reversed or severely tampered with as to make them ineffective. This places us and all future generations is danger of not having access to this vital and natural resource given to all for life by the Creator.
Some resources available to protect our sister water:
Use non-BPA lined reusable water bottles for personal use.
Become aware of ways we each waste water and modify our habits
Find ways to catch rain water for outdoor needs and uses
Support environmental laws for protecting natural water resources
Develop an ethic of water
Obviously not purchasing or using bottled water in plastic containers
Let us learn to love what is energy saving and beautiful for the planet, our home.
By sister Miriam Delvin
Social Justice Issues
1. Human Solidarity…we are all brothers and sisters ! ?
Together we pray along with Pope Francis who sent this message to President Trump
"At a time when our human family is beset by grave humanitarian crises demanding far-sighted and united political responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nation's commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide," - the Message reads - "Under your leadership, may America's stature continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door."
Call to holiness: new exhortation letter of Pope Francis
Excerpt: 14. To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in pr That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.
2. Human Trafficking
"Therefore, we declare on each and every one of our creeds that modern slavery, in terms of human trafficking, forced labor and prostitution, and organ trafficking, is a crime against humanity…” Pope Francis
Join Sisters efforts
Stop enslavement bulletin
3. Ecology
Enjoy this video: “the world of wonder”
We want to create a civilization of live–political, economic and cultural-not one of hate and greed. we want a society that is more humane, worthy of us as persons and true. From this will emerge the communal will to protect the environment. Pope Francis “On Care for Our Common Home”/ Laudato Si #231
Read the summary statement of the Encyclical
Ten takeaways from the Encyclical from America Magazine by Fr. James Martin, SJ June 2015
4. Participate in this group: Catholic ClimateCovenant
Prayer requested by Pope Francis for inspiration to take up the commitment to creation set before us by the Gospel cited in Laudato Si.
Prayer for Our Earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace,that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it.
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction
touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
as we journey toward your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.