"Listen to the voice of creation”

Pope Francis in his message to the world on Oct. 1^st, 2022 wrote:

“The sweet song of creation invites us to practice an “ecological spirituality” (Laudato Si’,216), attentive to God’s presence in the natural world. It is a summons to base our spirituality on the “loving awareness that we are not disconnected from the rest of creatures, but joined in a splendid universal communion” (ibid., 220).

Creation is God’s first Word of Love. Pope Francis encourages all peoples to deepen their relationship with all of God’s creation. One way that the Laudato Si Committee honored this request was to transplant a small white pine from San Jose to the Motherhouse grounds.

We asked little white pine, “Where would you like to be planted?”

We sat there beholding the cosmic walk, Zen garden and the red pine. We sensed that White Pine would be in good company among the aged trees.

And so, on Oct. 4^tH, Feast of St. Francis and the closing of the SEASON OF CREATION 2023, we invited the Sisters, tenants, and staff, to join together to welcome ‘little white pine’ to her new home. Two months later, little white pine is thriving.

There is a story told by the ancients, of two warring nations who, after suffering great casualties of war, recognized the desire for peace. Together they ritualized their common hope for peace. Together they dug a deep hole at the base of an ancient white pine and reverently placed all their weapons of war in the hole and buried them. Lore has it that peace came to these two nations.

So, the white pine tree becomes a symbol and an inspiration to choose peace and to be about encouraging peace.

Laudato Si Committee:
Sr. Dianne Bottos, Sr. Rita Godon, Sr. Pauline Guindon, Sr. Sharon Miller

Gathering of Staff, Sisters & TenantsSrs. Pauline and Rita planting the little white pineLittle white pine symbol of peacePraying the Prayer of St. Frances A closing blessing
Departure
Laudato Si Team with guest Sr. Mary Sheridan
Expressing gratitude for the gift of God's creation

Thank you to all involved!

Zen Garden 

Trees for Nipissing is a grassroots organization started in 2004.  They were formerly known as Nipissing Botanical Gardens and had their beginnings with Heritage Gardeners.  Planting at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse was done with the support of the Caisse Alliance.  Caisse Alliance, in 2021, funded and helped to plant the Newborn Forest project.  The Sisters of St. Joseph, like many others in our community and world, embraced this opportunity of helping to fulfill Pope Francis's call to care for our environment and Mother Earth (Laudato Si).  Our deepest gratitude to Judith Veldhuis and her Caisse Alliance team, Peggy Walsh Craig representing Trees4Nippising, and Hal Falk (Eagle Tree Service).   


Denis LaMarche helping with earth and waterGroup PhotoOctober 12, 2022 Caisse Polulaire team with Peggy and HalOctober 12, 2022 Sr. Josie  with Caisse Populaire groupPeggy with 30 trees - Silver, sugar, red Maples, sycamore, black cherry, larch, white cedar, red oakRed maples being plantedTree planting lessonsHere are some ideas for #4 and #6

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