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 SEED
– The SEED (Sharing in Earth’s Ecological Design)
Committee is a group of Sisters of St. Joseph and
Associates who are making connections between our mission,
“that all may be one” and ecology.
We use a process of
reading, reflection, discussion, prayer and action. Our
group addresses issues such as land resources, waste
management, energy conservation, community relations,
water resources, wildlife and transportation.
The Committee is working to free Mont
Marie of its addictions to
chemicals, to give sanctuary to birds, and to enhance the
beauty of God’s creation with gardens, flowers and meditation areas. SEED members provide speakers and educational programs on
ecology.
Labyrinth –
Need
to clear your mind, find inner peace or ‘center’
 yourself? Try walking the stone labyrinth on the
beautiful grounds of Mont Marie. A SEED project, the
labyrinth is a single, circular path which can provide a
powerful experience to anyone who walks it with respect.
Often a religious experience, the labyrinth may also be
used to solve a problem, face a truth about oneself, pray,
heal, or celebrate. Individuals and groups who are not
guests at Mont Marie may make an appointment to use the
labyrinth by calling (413) 536-0853 ext. 269. The Sisters
of St. Joseph also have a brand new portable labyrinth
which can be brought to your school, church or other large
space. The 24-foot square labyrinth can be reserved by
calling Sr. Lorry Villemaire at (413) 739-1900, or
emailing: villemaire34@verizon.net
Public
Statement for Climate Change
March 13, 2010
The Sisters of St.
Joseph of Springfield, Associates and Agregees, live and
work that all may be one. Committed to unity and
justice, we believe that we have the moral
responsibility to act both individually and corporately
on the issue of Climate Change and its effect on the
earth and especially on people who are poor. Climate
Change, a key factor in the increased hunger in the
world, is a justice issue, as is the life and death of
billions of poor people around the world, eco-systems
and species, and Earth itself.
Therefore, we
commit and challenge ourselves both individually and
corporately to educate ourselves and others about the
interrelated issues and factors of Climate Change,
poverty, and hunger within a global framework. We commit
ourselves to act upon the radical changes required.
What's New with the SEED
Committee
World Labyrinth Day – May
1, 2010
World Labyrinth Day
was celebrated around the world on May 1st. The idea
behind the day was to bring people
from all over the planet together in celebration of
the labyrinth as a symbol, a tool, a passion or a
practice.
In honor
of the day, The Labyrinth Connection of Western
Massachusetts held labyrinth walks at several
locations including Mont Marie in Holyoke.
About 40 people attended the Mont Marie walk, which
was directed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Springfield.
Thinking
Outside the Bottle
April 2009
A project between
Sisters and seniors at Mont Marie and Providence Place focused on
"thinking outside the bottle" and Change for
Global Change during the week of April 20.
Water Tastings were held at Providence Place, Mercy Medical Center and
Providence Behavioral Health Hospital and most
participants couldn't tell the difference between
bottled water and tap water.
The program also illustrated
how disposal of the plastic bottles themselves is harmful
to the environment.
The group also collected change to
help fund water projects throughout the world.
Change for Global Change is a project organized
by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The Earth Day
events were coordinated by
Patricia St. Amand and Christine Cox, communications
personnel for the Sisters of Providence, and Sisters
Roberta Mulcahy and Ann Lynch co-coordinators of the
SSJ SEED Committee.
 Moleworks
– It began as a series of doodles which led to a book,
then two more books, a CD and cassette of songs, and even a
stuffed animal. Moleworks is a creative ministry led by
Sister Sally Marsh. With the help of other Sisters, she
wrote “It Is Not Dirt” “Shrediver’s Secret” and her
latest book, "Hugh Manatee and the People of Earth".
She has also
produced a CD “Songs of an Earthling”
 which
includes 12 original songs. Most of her work
concentrates on Earth and ecology, but she has a special
place in her heart for moles. Moleworks books and tapes
are available for purchase.
Click here for order form.
Links:
Center for a New American Dream
–http://www.newdream.org
Helps Americans consume responsibly to conserve natural
resources, counter the commercialization of our culture,
and promote social justice.
Clean Water Network –
www.cwn.org
An alliance of over 1000 organizations working to protect
our nation’s water resources.
National Resources Defense Council
–
www.nrdc.org
Protects the environment and human health through
advocacy, litigation, research and education.
Northeast Sustainable Energy
Association –
www.nesea.org
Focuses on promoting the understanding, development and
adaptation of energy conservation and non-polluting,
renewable energy technologies.
Organic Consumers Association
–
www.organicconsumers.org
Promotes food safety, organic farming and sustainable
agriculture practices.
Pesticide Action Network –
www.panna.org
Works to replace pesticide use with ecologically sound and
socially just alternatives.
Sisters of Earth –
www.sistersofearth.org
An informal network of women who share a deep concern for
the ecological and spiritual crisis of our times.
Union of Concerned Scientists
–
www.ucsusa.org
A nonprofit partnership of scientists and citizens
combining analysis, policy development and citizen
advocacy to achieve environmental solutions.
For more information contact:
Sr. Ann Lynch, Ecology Co-coordinator
Tel: (413) 536-0853 ext. 269
Email:
ecology@ssjspringfield.com
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