Socialization of “Environmental Awareness” to the PKK Group in the Siantar Timur sub-district.

In early April 2025, in conjunction with the socialization of the Harapan Jaya Pematangsiantar Rehabilitation Center as a rehabilitation facility for children with disabilities, Sr. Monika took the opportunity to encourage the village heads in the Siantar sub-district to care for the environment.  On this occasion, Sr. Monika requested the opportunity to speak with the PKK groups across the sub-district about environmental awareness. They welcomed the request with enthusiasm. In May 2025, Sr. Monika also conducted a seminar for the PKK mothers across the Siantar Timur sub-district.

Sr. Monika emphasized the importance of mothers prioritizing environmental care, starting from their families, communities, and respective villages. The JPIC FCJM team hopes that the PKK mothers in the Siantar Timur sub-district can become ambassadors for environmental awareness. Sr. Monika encouraged the mothers to educate their children to care for the earth through small actions such as disposing of trash properly, recycling, reducing waste, planting trees, and so on.

On May 21-24, 2025, Sr. Verena attended a meeting organized by Caritas Indonesia. They invited JPIC FCJM Indonesia because they recognized that JPIC FCJM has been a long-standing partner in combating human trafficking.

This National Meeting also aims to strengthen networks and partnerships with the government and other institutions in handling victims of human trafficking. We are grateful that KWI, through Caritas Indonesia, has recognized JPIC FCJM as a partner in this endeavor.

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of “Laudato Si,” on May 17, Sr. Monika and Fr. Guido OFM. Cap conducted a socialization session on Laudato Si titled “Moving Together for 10 Years of Laudato Si” for all Franciscans in Siantar (Kefansi). This seminar invited Franciscans, including priests, sisters, brothers, and laypeople (OFS), to reflect on what has been done so far as an application of the Laudato Si encyclical. During this opportunity, they also discussed in groups to enhance actions for caring for the earth at various levels: community, educational institutions, and within the church and society.

At the end of May, during the “Laudato Si” month, Sr. Monika, together with Sr. Immaculata, invited the postulants and novices of FCJM to sing “Laudato Si,” which has been uploaded to the JPIC FCJM YouTube channel as a way to introduce Laudato Si to many people and encourage them to care for our common home.

In conjunction with World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, the Franciscan JPIC in the Archdiocese of Medan organized an initiative to clean up a river and its surroundings in one of Medan’s neighborhoods. This activity encouraged the community to care for the environment, as caring for the environment also means caring for life.

Inspired by the encyclical Laudato Si, Sr. Monika has created a Laudato Si face mask made from ecoenzyme deposits and other natural ingredients. This initiative is one way to care for the earth because by using this product, people are reducing their use of chemicals. Sr. Monika introduced this mask through social media. In her social media posts, Sr. Monika always strives to educate people about caring for the earth.

Written by Sr. M. Monika Harianja FCJM