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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 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
New! Solar
lights have been added to the outdoor labyrinth - see
story below.
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
Wheelchair Recycling
December 2011
Some used
wheelchairs and scooters from Mont Marie will be put
to good use through a local recycling program. The
Wheelchair Recycler in Ashland, Mass. took more than
25 used chairs and scooters
 from
the Mont Marie Health Care Center and from the
Sisters of St. Joseph retirement residence at Mont
Marie.
The
company collects and refurbishes the power
wheelchairs at little or no expense and then
re-issues them to people who can’t afford a new
one. New chairs and scooters can cost between
$5,000 and $25,000, and sometimes restrictive
Medicare regulations prevent residents of nursing
homes and long-term care facilities from being
approved for new power chairs.
The
wheelchair program fits in with the commitment of
the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield to recycle
whenever possible.
Solar
Lights Add to Labyrinth Experience
It
is now possible to
walk the labyrinth in the evening, thanks to the
hard work and generosity of members of the SEED
Committee, several residents of Mont Marie Senior
Residence and St. Joseph Senior Residence, and
friends. The group gathered August 4 to place
solar lights around the labyrinth.
The theme for the
installation gathering was "gratitude for the people
who light up our lives." The lighting was the idea
of several women who came for the Solstice Labyrinth
walk in June.
The lighting is a
welcome addition to the pathway, which provides for
a peaceful meditative experience.
Water Presentation Prompts Thinking Outside the
Bottle
 Sisters
Ann Lynch and Roberta Mulcahy took their water
program titled "Think Outside the Bottle" on the
road again this spring with a visit to the
Northampton Senior Center.
Using
posters and handouts, the Sisters did a lively
presentation on the scarcity of clean water
throughout the world. They also talked about how
much water is used in the production of some of the
foods that we eat.
The final
piece of their presentation involved a water
tasting. Participants were asked to try to identify
the sources of several unmarked water samples. Most
of the tasters agreed that the tap water tasted
better than the expensive and ecologically damaging
bottled water.
The
presentation was part of an ongoing commitment by
the Sisters of St. Joseph to provide speakers and
programs on ecology.
 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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