By Prema Chowallur
Guwahati, Sept 2, 2020: The Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod has launched a monthlong international celebration to support the Church’s efforts to save Mother Earth.
The congregation’s Commission of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) has planned to celebrate the “Season of Creation” by organizing various virtual seminars to motivate the sisters.
The celebration that began on September 1 will end October 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is revered in the Catholic Church as the patron of environment and animals.
For the celebration, the sisters have chosen the theme suggested by the World Council of Churches “Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope.”
The commission reminded the sisters Pope Francis’ invitation to join the Season of Creation. The Encyclical Laudato Si was published in 2015 and 2020 is a special anniversary of Laudato Si.
Each of the congregation’s eight provinces in India has planned for celebration. They would select a theme for each week and organize outdoor prayer services and rosaries so that they can be with nature and experience God’s presence.
Sister Laisa Peter, the coordinator of the program for the Guwahati province, points out that religious women do make a difference in the Church and in the world with their committed efforts.
The Guwahati province on September 1 opened the celebrations with prayer services in the morning and evening. They displayed pictures and quotes appropriate to the occasion in convents and parishes. Some sisters conducted awareness classes on environmental degradation and individual responsibility to save the earth.
Sister Flory Menezes of Pune province has organized series of webinar on Laudato Si.
The Madurai province has decided to plant trees on September 14, the feast day of the congregation, says Sister Irudayamary, the coordinator. The province has also decided to arrange rainwater harvesting system in its communities.
Sister Puspa Cruz from Peru plans to conduct radio program and webinars on ‘Season of Creation’ and ‘Laudato Si’ to make aware of environmental issues and motivate them to save the earth.
Sister Specioza from East Africa said they have resolved to make the campuses free of plastic.
The commission has advised the sisters to avoid ‘use and throw’ articles to save the mother earth from pollution and undertake campaigns to reduce carbon foot print and promote organic cultivation.
The nuns also try to create a ripple effect on mother earth by adopting lifestyles conducive to the protection of environment.