As the US St. Clare Region began its 4^th year of living out our Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP) commitment, our Future of the Land (FOL) circle continued to explore ways that our region can preserve the green space of our motherhouse property for future generations.  Much of our land has been used for ministries to the poor in need of affordable housing, the disabled in need of neurologic or orthopedic rehabilitation services, and those living with HIV/AIDS.  However, we still have approximately 31 acres of green space.  The Sisters (Srs) and Covenant Companions (CCs) have long wanted to preserve and protect these precious acres of green space for the enjoyment and spiritual enrichment of present and future generations, since so much of our natural environment is being paved over with roads or given over to buildings.  On April 5^th, the FOL team hosted a day of updates for our sisters and covenant companions to share what we have learned. The team has also made a commitment to participate in a 2-year program called “Land Justice Futures” in order to learn more about the earlier inhabitants of the land and how land justice considerations might influence our decisions about the future.  The day was attended by nearly 50 participants and generated much interest and enthusiasm.  We continue to explore this aspect of our Laudato Si journey.

In March, Srs. and CCs began to explore racism and how it impacts our lives.  Racism is literally built into many aspects of civil society and the Church in the US.  Anyone of us who has lived in the US for any length of time knows and has experienced racism on some level. This workshop gave us the opportunity to reflect on how we have experienced or observed racism in our own hearts, in our community, in our families, in our Church, and in civil society.  The facilitators were Sister Patricia Chappell (Black American) and Sister Anne-Louise Nadeau (White American), SNDdeN.  The program was called—Courageous Conversations:  Breaking the silence about race, power and privilege. Our Laudato Si Action Platform team will be planning further opportunities to explore racism together in the future, since we have only just begun the process of seeing and naming racism in our lives. Personal transformation of consciousness is necessary if we are ever to address the destructive racism that has been so much a part of our history.

Our Lenten theme for 2025 was:  Pilgrims of Hope—Let Us Begin Again.  During Lent, our motherhouse faith community (about 80-100 people who share Sunday liturgy at our motherhouse), offered donations of items as well as money to assist refugees and immigrants in our area of the country.  Since our present federal administration cut all funds for refugee resettlement starting on January 24, 2025, organizations helping immigrants find themselves in desperate situations, trying to help those who have recently come to our country.  Many ordinary citizens are very upset about the mass deportations ordered by our current leaders and the manner in which these are being carried out, without the required due process under our laws.  This Lenten donation was shared with two organizations that we partner with through the ministry fund. It not only helped the organizations, but also helped those donating to “do something positive” in response to this situation.  Demonstrations and marches throughout the country continue almost daily in response to local arrests and deportations of “illegal” immigrants at schools, places of employment, health care facilities and even at court houses. Legal challenges to these policies are taking place and are working their way through the court system but will ultimately be decided by the US supreme court.  In the meantime, we work and pray for justice and for the protection of those who are most vulnerable.  May God bless them all and give them safety.

Earth Day 2025 – Caring for nature, caring for each other –was sponsored by the Wheaton Franciscan JPIC Office in collaboration with Tau Center for Spirituality. A large crowd gathered on a breezy April 22 to honor creation and plant a flowering tree in the St. Clare Garden. Sr. Bea Hernandez welcomed the attending sisters, Covenant Companions, motherhouse associates, and other guests.  All were invited to sing, listen to the readings, and enjoy the blossoming garden. 

Guests were encouraged to leave their own fingerprints on nature by decorating small stones and either placing them in the garden or taking them home for inspiration. The spirit of the ceremony was captured by a quote from nature writer Annie Dillard: “Be really present with your planetary host.”

Written by Sister Beatrice Hernandez