top of page
Image by v2osk

Laudato Si

4.png

We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, respond to Pope Francis’s call to take to heart the need for an ecological conversion[1] and commit ourselves to be instruments of God for the care of the whole of creation[2]—concern for nature, justice for the poor and commitment for a just society.  

 

As in the words of Pope Francis, ecological conversion can inspire us to greater creativity and enthusiasm.[3]  In this spirit we, as a Congregation have come together with people of like-heart to reflect, discern and have conversations on how best we can personally and collectively respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor that would frame a Laudato Si’ Action Plan.  

 

From everyone’s responses we chose WATER as our primary focus.  Our Action Plan, based on the 7 Laudato Si’ Goals, reflects our commitment to the whole of creation. 

 

[1] Laudato Si’, 216-221

[2] Laudato Si’, 14

[3] Laudato Si’, 220

9.png

Response to the Cry of the Earth

Goal 1

The response to the Cry of the Earth is a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all, as we equitably address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability.  

Strategies and Actions

8.png

Response to the Cry of the Poor

Goal 2

The response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote ecological justice, aware that we are called to defend human life from conception to death in all forms of life on Earth.

Strategies and Actions

7.png

Ecological Economics

Goal 3

Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a sub-system of human society, which itself is embedded within the biosphere–our common home.

Strategies and Actions

6.png

Adoption of Simple Lifestyles

Goal 4

Adoption of Simple Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of sufficiency, and promoting sobriety (moderation)  in the use of resources and energy.  

Strategies and Actions

5.png

Ecological Education

Goal 5

Ecological Education is about re-thinking and re-designing curricula and institutional reform in the spirit of integral ecology in order to foster ecological awareness and transformative action, promoting the ecological vocation of young people, teachers, and leaders in education.

Strategies and Actions

11.png

Ecological Spirituality

Goal 6

Ecological Spirituality springs from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things”, both in the beauty of creation and in the sighs of the sick and the groans of the afflicted, aware that the life of the spirit is not dissociated from worldly realities.

Strategies and Actions

10.png

Response to the Cry of the Poor

Goal 7

The response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote ecological justice, aware that we are called to defend human life from conception to death in all forms of life on Earth.

Strategies and Actions

Laudato Si’ Action Platform Reflection

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, as apostolic women religious, are engaged in unifying all people with God, with one another, and with all of creation through the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, proclaiming God’s love in our beautiful, yet wounded world.  

 

Animated by the Gospel message of Jesus and our charism of Unity and Reconciliation we unite ourselves with Pope Francis and all people of good will in addressing the environmental degradation of our common home.  We commit ourselves to be instruments of God for the care of creation[1] including concern for nature, justice for the poor, and commitment for a just society.  

 

Our desire is for ecological conversion[2] through the action of prayer and contemplation, reflection and dialogue, and of reaching out beyond ourselves to others in forming new relationships and partnerships—together actively participating in shaping the future of our planet.[3]    

 

As women who work for unity and reconciliation, who stand with the poor and promote ecological justice, we have for many years committed ourselves to bring about a change of heart and mind through on-going activities, such as, water and energy conservation, xeriscaping, the 3 R’s, composting, and education of ourselves and beyond ourselves with an eye on the global community.   

 

Our commitment continues.  In the words of our Chapter Visioning Statement 2021-2026, we commit ourselves to be creative and innovative in our local and global dialogue and action during the next five years on Integral Ecology. Through a community-wide process of reflection and dialogue, we came to consensus in committing ourselves to a Five-Year Plan that is aligned with the Laudato Si’ 7 Goals.

 

[1] Laudato Si’, 14

[2] Laudato Si’, 216-221

[3] Laudato Si’, 14

bottom of page