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Spring into Healing Earth Day Celebration May 4th, 2022
By Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, director of La Vista Ecological Learning Center
For fifty-two years, Earth Day has been commemorated on April 22nd since Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson initiated the event out of his deeply felt concern for our deteriorating environment. Interestingly, he elicited the cooperation of a Republican congressman to be his co-chair. Together they launched an effort that has gained momentum and branched out as its significance deepens during our present climate crisis.
This year our Earth Day celebration took place inside the Buckminster Fuller Dome on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville which provided the perfect ambience. As I looked up at the continents etched into the dome and then around at the participants drumming and dancing underneath, I felt a deep gratitude for being alive, and isn’t that what an Earth Day Celebration should evoke?
Others felt equally moved. One woman commented, “I felt blessed! I enjoyed sharing thoughts and memories, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones. And the drumming and dancing was awesome!” Another participant wrote a thank you saying, “What an uplifting blend of celebration, inspiration, education and call to action. It was perfect for the Easter season of hope and renewal!”
This event was offered by the Confluence Climate Collaborative, of which La Vista Ecological Learning Center is a member. We had just read and discussed the book All We Can Save: Truth Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, and during the afternoon we shared our favorite quotes, thoughts, and poems. One that especially touched me was by Geneen Marie Haugen: In our time of disturbance and radical change, we are crossing a threshold, a portal, or an unseen bridge from one world to another. It could be said that the bridge is either collapsing beneath us, or being made as we walk together, in the long twilight hours when one civilization gives way to another.
I truly felt that we were making the bridge together as we shared ourselves during the afternoon. And being together ignited my hope that one civilization really is giving way to another, to one that believes in solutions to the climate crisis that hear both the cry of Earth and the cry of the poor. I also felt blessed!
21st Session: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is April 25-May 6, 2022 April 22nd, 2022
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a forum mandated to address issues faced by Indigenous Peoples related to economic and social development, culture, environment, health, and human rights.
More specifically, UNPFII:
- provides expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- raises awareness and promotes the integration and coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the UN system
- prepares and disseminates information on issues faced by Indigenous Peoples
- promotes respect for and full application of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and its followup
For more information on NGO scheduled events download the Justice Coalition of Religious’ (JCOR) event guide.
All open meetings of UNPFII will be streamed at: UN WebTV
Official website for UNPFII21: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/unpfii-twenty-first-session-25-april-6-may-2022.html
2022 Earth Day: Mother Earth is Crying Out for Help April 20th, 2022
BISHOP MICHAEL PFEIFER, O.M.I.
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo
On World Earth Day which we celebrate annually on April 22rd, “Mother Earth” is crying out for help to all of her “children”, all inhabitants of the planet to urgently care for her and repair the damage that is being done to the earth, which Pope Francis calls “Our Common Home — Our mother is crying out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her”. The earth can indeed be called a “Mother”, as she provides for what we need to live.
Image designed by Freepik
Earth Day is a time to appreciate the wonderful gift of planet earth and to commit ourselves, each and everyone around the world to assure her survival in the future. The theme of Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet”. Together all nations of the world indeed must invest much more time, effort, and resources in our earth to ensure a green, healthy, equitable and prosperous future. More than ever, we need to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. It is going to take all of us businesses, governments of the world, churches, schools, all citizens, both the young and the old to accomplish this.
Three Part Harmony Farm (3PH) Awarded Nourish DC Grant April 19th, 2022
Congratulations & kudos to Gail Taylor, owner & operator of Three Part Harmony Farm (3PHF), located at the OMI US Province administrative offices in Washington, DC!!3PH Welcomes Visitors April 19th, 2022
by Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI
On Wednesday, April 6th, Three Part Harmony Farm (3PHF) welcomed visitors from Nourish DC Fund & Dreaming Out Loud to their location at the OMI US Province property at 391 Michigan Ave in Washington, DC.
Just as the farm is on the cusp of a new season of planting and growing healthy, nourishing, and organically produced food for a number of constituencies, it was wonderful to welcome so many interested and energetic visitors and to share with them the 3PHF story.
After nearly ten years of operation, the collaboration between the Oblates and 3PHF continues to demonstrate ways in which local partnerships can realize not only great local food-producing initiatives, but become a center of learning and apprenticeship for interested folks of all ages.
This initiative realizes in a very specific way the call of Pope Francis to “care for our common home” by promoting food security, protecting and enhancing biodiversity and feeding the hungry, while respecting the integrity of the earth for future generations.
Three Part Harmony Farm(3PHF) was one of 9 local businesses that recently received a grant from Capital Impact Partners (Nourish DC Collaborative) in partnership with Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office. READ THE STORY HERE: Three Part Harmony Farm (3PH) Awarded Nourish DC Grant
Nourish DC Collaborative
Launched in 2021, the Nourish DC Collaborative was created in partnership with the District government to support the development of a robust ecosystem of locally owned food businesses, neighborhood vibrancy, and health equity in DC communities, especially in neighborhoods underserved by grocery stores and other food businesses. Nourish DC provides flexible loans, technical assistance, and catalytic grants to emerging and existing food businesses in the District of Columbia, with a preference for businesses located in or owned by residents of underserved neighborhoods. The Nourish DC Fund was a priority of the DC Food Policy Council in response to resident engagement and input on improving DC’s food system.
Dreaming Out Loud (DOL)
Dreaming Out Loud (DOL) was founded in 2008 as a response to educational and socioeconomic disparities facing communities in Washington, DC. DOL began with teaching character and leadership development in DC public charter schools, but soon recognized systemic issues around the food system, which led to the creation of community farmers markets, with the help of a local church and one farmer. Through economic opportunity, using workforce development and entrepreneurship training, DOL is driving deeper change within the community creating financial stability and food security. DOL aims to use the food system as a powerful tool of resistance, resilience, and advocacy for structural change.
