Climate change often seems distant until disaster strikes close to home. As Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn reflects on recent California wildfires, "These are our neighbors who lost their homes in an afternoon, whose children didn't have anywhere to go after school."
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Reading have been addressing environmental challenges since 2021 through their Dorothy Stang Initiative, a direct response to Pope Francis' calls in his encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum. Named after Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, who was martyred while being a gospel witness and advocating for the Amazon rainforest and the small migrant farmers who worked there, the initiative focuses on reducing fossil fuel usage, promoting clean water, and minimizing plastic waste.
"We can have our biggest impact when working together as a community, instead of just through individual action," explains Sister Mary Ann.
On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., the Sisters will host "Being a Neighbor to Nature: Loving Solidarity for All Creation" at their provincial house in Reading. Xavier University's Dr. Marcus Mescher will deliver the keynote address exploring how the concept of "loving our neighbor" might extend to the natural world. These concepts are central to Pope Francis' vision in "Laudato Si'," where he emphasizes that "everything is connected" and calls for an "integral ecology" addressing both environmental and social concerns.
Teresa Phillips, Director of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation, will present practical applications that communities can implement together. This approach aligns with Pope Francis' concept of "ecological citizenship" – the recognition that caring for our common home requires solidarity and collective action. Organizers welcome all community members—regardless of faith background—to participate in this collaborative approach to addressing climate concerns.
Register at SNDOHIO.ORG.
By Dyah Miller, first published in The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sunday, April 27, 2025, p. 13A.