By Shilpa George, LEAD Assistant
During the Season of Creation, at the invitation of the province JPIC Pilgrimage of Hope Committee, our School Sisters of Notre Dame, Waterdown, hosted a deeply reflective and inspiring program centered on the theme Peace with Creation.
Sisters and Associates gathered to explore their connection with nature, deepen their understanding of ecological responsibility, and reflect on the spiritual call to care for the Earth.
The day began with an address by Sister Celeste Reinhart, who welcomed everyone and invited them to encounter Christ through creation. She spoke passionately about the growing impact of climate change on our lives and the urgent need to respond with awareness and action.
Her words set the tone for a day of shared learning, reflection, and communal responsibility.
Associate Cristine Oates offered a meaningful reflection on the land, focusing on Indigenous communities and the sacred connection they maintain with the Earth.
She emphasized the importance of knowing our shared history and recognizing our responsibility in caring for the land we inhabit.
The group then embarked on a symbolic walk, with the first stop near the garbage bins—an unusual yet powerful place to begin.
Here, using the synodal process of Conversations in the Spirit, Sisters and Associates shared personal stories about the importance of waste segregation and recycling.
Some highlighted the challenges faced in urban apartment buildings where green bin options are still unavailable.
These discussions underscored how even small changes in daily habits can contribute to the broader goal of environmental stewardship.
As the walk continued, the group was joined by Farmer Russ, an organic farmer in Canada, who shared his inspiring journey of transitioning into organic farming.
He invited everyone to his farm, which flourishes with cherry tomatoes, beets, garlic, zucchini, and tomatoes.
Russ spoke about the learning curve he experienced, spending years working on farms in Germany to gain hands-on knowledge. He described the challenges of cultivating and enriching clay-rich soil.
At the third-floor lounge, where more Sisters were eagerly waiting, Russ continued his session.
He answered questions about organic farming, the presence of wildlife on his farm—such as frogs, toads, and even snakes—and how each creature plays a unique role in the ecosystem.
He said the snakes help keep crop-damaging rodents at bay.
Russ's commitment to growing everything organically was both inspiring and reassuring.
The day ended as everyone gathered for lunch, carrying with them a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to live in harmony with creation.
In a world where ecological crises often feel overwhelming, this day served as a reminder that every action—however small—matters.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame and their Associates demonstrated that peace with creation begins with awareness, continues with education, and is sustained through community.
“For the seed of love within us. For the beauty all around us. For the strength of truth before us.
Let us give thanks.”
