By Anne Macneil and Kim Beckett, Co-Coordinators LEAD Department
The Sisters at Waterdown observed International Day of Older Persons (also called National Seniors Day) on October 1 with a simple but moving event that included both Sisters and Laureate College students and staff. Our focus was Care of the Earth.
We gathered outside Laureate College/Notre Dame Convent near our Peace pole. We listened to “Canada is Burning” by Tom Leighton, and pledged - in union with the students - our National Seniors Day commitment to rebuild a healthy environment for future generations. We ended with a song from the 1960s - “Big Yellow Taxi” - which reminds us to not pave paradise.
Organizer Sister Rose Mary Sanders, SSND, gave a speech about the importance of recognizing our impact on the climate in our daily routine, and teaching ourselves to leave a smaller environmental footprint on our earth, especially here in Canada. She encouraged the students to use their learning and their passion to help build a brighter and safer future in our country.
At this point, Sister Beatrice Zinger, SSND, handed off our globe to a Laureate College student, to carry on this mission into the future. It was a lovely gesture from our seniors who wish to leave a better place for our youth.
Our goal going forward is to help build a Canada-wide community of seniors to create a liveable future. We have a major role to play, and we have motive, commitment and opportunity. Our Sisters are very passionate about this cause, as seen in their inclusion of Laudato Si'.
We take this opportunity to thank Sister Rose Mary Sanders, who worked hard organizing this event and inspired the LEAD staff and others to join her in her passion and become better ambassadors for our Earth.
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