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In This Issue - Perspectives Spring 2008

Tulip bed in the convent courtyard. Photo by Sister Arlene Melder

We commit ourselves to nurture cosmic awareness, develop right relationships with all creation, and promote sustainability of Mother Earth. - FSPA Direction Statement

St. Francis preached about the duty of all creatures to praise God and to protect and enjoy nature. Following in St. Francis’ footsteps, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration also preach stewardship for Mother Earth; even the congregational direction statement commits FSPA to promote sustainability of the planet.

Before “eco-friendly” and “carbon footprint” became buzz words in pop culture, the FSPA recognized the bond between spirituality and ecology, now termed “ecospirituality.” This connection begs the question: As God is the primary source and power within all creation, and all of creation is sacred and holy, what then, is our responsibility?

In this issue of Perspectives, we look at the practical steps FSPA and our partners in ministry are making today to minimize our impact on the planet while serving as an example for the rest of creation. We examine the issue of food and the value of buying local, as well as our relationship with water and the crisis of privatization of this valuable resource. We also take you to St. Rose Convent, to show you the ways FSPA is managing energy. From the home of the sisters we go to the home of an FSPA affiliate who is a green pioneer in this area of the country, living off the grid in a straw bale house.

Ecospirituality may be new language. But it simply gives us another lens through which we integrate the commitment of our direction statement “to nurture cosmic awareness, develop right relationships with all of creation, and promote the sustainability of Mother Earth” into our lives. We invite you to join us as we embrace our creator’s vision and honor the gifts we’ve been given.

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