SHFP Newsletter, May 2022
Sowing Hope for the Planet
Newsletter, May 2022
Dear Participants,

Thank you for all of your tremendous work in actualizing the goals of Laudato Si'! I hope that you are all healthy and peaceful in these trying times. There are many challenges facing us, conflict, climate change, the economy, and how all these things affect the most vulnerable among us. I would like to tell you about the upcoming Laudato Si' Week, May 22-29, this year's Plenary report, and to share other information to help you will all that you have done and continue to do.

Please continue to pray for those who are enduring conflict, refugees who have had to flee their homes, those recovering from the COVID19 pandemic which is still with us, and all who are struggling with economic uncertainty in these times of global change. We must also remember our commitments to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor and make sure that we do not lose the gains we have made to prevent climate change, biodiversity loss, and all forms of poverty. We pray that these changing seasons are blessed with the love and joy of God's presence in your lives!

Sr. Sheila Kinsey, FCJM
Campaign Coordinator Sowing Hope for the Planet.
Laudato Si Week 2022

The week of May 22-29 will celebrate Laudato Si' with the theme of "Listening and Journeying Together". This recognizes the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical that calls us to hear and answer the "cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth". We hope that this celebration spreads globally and unites all people to respond to the holiness of all creation while celebrating the progress that you have all made in living the concepts of Laudato Si' and the Synodal path. Speakers from around the world will share their knowledge and work.

The week's events will reflect and celebrate the seven Laudato Si' Goals. Pope Francis will open the week with a prayer and reflection at 12:00 pm Rome time. There will be a focus on biodiversity loss, integral ecology, fossil fuels and the climate crisis, ethical investing, and ecological spirituality.

The event on May 26 will debut the LSAP Investor Hub which sets a series of individual and institutional actions to help transition towards a more ethical economy as called for by Pope Francis. This is a collaboration with the USIG JPIC Commission and An Tairseach. Faith-Consistent Investing - Living Laudato Si' will cover the collaboration of FaithInvest with LSAP Investor Hub to provide resources and share stories of people applying Laudato Si' concepts to investing. This event is an opportunity to share and learn ways to use ethical investing techniques to influence businesses towards responsible behavior. Please register for this program here.
There will be a premiere of a Laudato Si' movie for the general public on May 27. The documentary will feature Pope Francis and his encyclical which has motived many to care for our common home and to work on resolving the climate crisis. On the Laudato Si Week webpage you can register for events, to receive more information, and find links to the daily activities and streaming videos. Access to the videos and others can be found at the Laudato Si' Movement YouTube channel as well. You can join the Laudato Si' Action Platform here.
Plenary Report on Sowing Hope for the Planet

The report on the UISG initiative SHFP focused on the three year period from 2019 to 2022. SHFP is a project where all Sisters whose congregations are UISG members are given opportunities to actualize Laudato Si'. The goal is to "to become painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering and thus to discover what each of us can do about it.” (LS 19). The UISG Board in June 2018 endorsed the UISG initiative which was to be coordinated by the JPIC Commission of USG-UISG. At the 2019 UISG Plenary the vision statement was accepted by acclamation by the over 850 Superior Generals assembled for the meeting.

The website for SHFP has become more interactive and includes mapping of advocacy initiatives inspired by Laudato Si' goals and a map of UISG constellations describing the needs and commitments written by the member congregations. The website also contains a listing of resources provided by members on many issues including refugees & migration, Laudato Si' action plans, the Season of Creation, mining and the Amazon among others responding to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.
SHFP has developed a series of webinars based on member actions and direct service including ecological education, migrants and refugees, climate change, biodiversity, and mining. The seminars have provided a space for members to share their work and to create networks with other like minded members. Currently, SHFP has partnered with Sisters Advocating Globally and CAFOD to host a series of advocacy training sessions. These sessions are available on the JPIC Workshops membership site. If you would like to be enrolled, please email us. Recordings of the webinars and support materials are available on the website on the new LSAP page. This page was created to create a space to post materials to support those interested in developing their Laudato Si Action Plan goals. In addition to links to the webinars, there are many LSAP support materials posted as well such as an LSAP guide, tools for planning, and a best practices notebook.

A recent survey of constellation congregations has illuminated how our members have responded to the call of Laudato Si'. Many congregations have focused on education efforts and environmental actions. The congregations have been challenged by the COVID19 pandemic, the economic crisis, and the burden of too many responsibilities. However, most congregations sill hope to develop more opportunities for LSAP goals. The majority of respondents have found SHFP and its programs to be helpful and want us to continue to offer support. The powerpoint and script of the presentation by Sr. Sheila are available on the SHFP website with more information.
Pax Christi, prayer for Holy Land, May 29, 2022

Pax Christi hosted a beautiful global prayer service for Myanmar. The video is available here. They have also posted prayers, letters, and study materials for the Ukraine crisis which are available on their website. In partnership with them, we will be presenting a prayer event for the Holy Land on June 29th. More information will be forthcoming as the program develops!
MAY UN INTERNATIONAL DAYS

15 May—The International Day of the Families 2022 theme: Families and Urbanization. Urbanization is one of the most important megatrends shaping our world and the life and wellbeing of families worldwide. Sustainable urbanization is related to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, such as Poverty eradication, Good health and well-being, Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and Reduce inequality within and among countries. These SDGs and their targets depend on how well urbanization is managed towards benefitting families and enhancing the well-being of all generations living in cities.

22 May—International Day for Biological Diversity Building a shared future for all life. The theme in 2022 is “Building a shared future for all life”. Fitting within the context of the ongoing United Nations Decade on Restoration, which highlights that biodiversity is the answer to several sustainable development challenges, the slogan conveys the message that biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build.

  • Land Commitments, Adrian Dominican Sisters, Believing we are part of a larger community that comprises the Earth community, we seek to live in balance, reciprocity and simplicity with Earth
  • Mercy Earth Challenge, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team is embarking on a year-long journey of transforming individual lifestyles to honor Earth and respond to the climate crisis and environmental degradation.
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